2022 Preview: Bluffton Bobcats

Hayden Gregory helped transform Collins Hill into a championship program in Georgia. Now, he's about to bring that same mentality to his first head coaching job at Bluffton.    It could be quite a debut season with the Bobcats.    The young and energetic coach will have lots of talent to build around on a team that won just two games last season. And there's reason to believe that 2022 could be a giant step forward. The Bobcats return star senior receiver Jaylin Linder, who is looking to build off a dynamite summer. The explosive wideout is complemented by senior Camauri Simmons, a versatile weapon who can burn defenses with his speed. Gregory will look to utilize Simmons in many different looks as both a running back and slot receiver.  But we should also see a healthy dose of Roderick Buxton this year, who earned the starting job last season and produced for his team down the stretch. Bluffton developed some more depth over the summer at wideout for senior quarterback Max Vonhohenstraeten, a strong arm who isn't scared of making the big throw downfield. He showed some glimpses of excellence throughout last year and will look to get the ball in the hands of his playmakers often. Although Vonhohenstraeten can make the big plays happen, Gregory wants to rely on high-percentage completions with quick routes to his reliable targets. The first-year coach is high on his offensive line, which boasts several strong returners including Brian Andrade and Robby Fletcher.   The Bobcats quietly have developed one of the best linebacking duos in the state. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='204429' first='Jaquinn' last='Williams'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='208337' first='Jeremiah' last='Curry'] will join forces once again to lead a budding core. It will be a near-impossible task to replace star defensive tackle DJ Aiken from a year ago, but Gregory hopes to see success from his top linemen who will play both ways. Devon Grant will be returning from injury and will be a key fixture over at defensive end. The summer season gave a chance for up-and-coming players to stand out, and [player_tooltip player_id='376311' first='Wyatt' last='Tant'] has been a pleasant surprise in the secondary who wins with his excellent intensity and hustle.     The victories on the field have been few and far between for Bluffton's senior class. But Gregory is looking to change that. He's adopted a new mentality in the program predicated by high energy and effort each day at practice. If the talent across the field can reach that level of effort heading into opening night, this team will be ready to surprise and compete in a wide-open Region 7-4A.   2021 Results (2-8, 1-4) Lost SCHSL 4A First Round   8/20 at South Florence (L 6-42)   8/27 at Bamberg-Ehrhardt (L 0-27)   9/10 vs. Thomas Heyward (W 29-22 OT)   9/17 vs. Wade Hampton (L 14-17 OT)   10/1 at Colleton County (W 55-30)   10/8 vs. May River (L 3-30)   10/15 at Hilton Head (L 7-16)   10/22 vs. Beaufort (L 12-45)   10/29 at James Island (L 0-35)   11/5 (1st Round) at North Augusta (L 12-31)   Key Losses To Graduation   DE DJ Aiken   OL Chase Wilfong   WR Kenton Frazier   Players To Watch   Jaylin Linder, WR 2023   The stars are aligning for a monster senior season from Jaylin Linder. The extraordinary wideout put his opponents on notice all throughout the summer with his elite explosiveness combined with the height and verticality to dominate matchups downfield. With a strong frame and terrific quickness, Linder has all the tools to rack up extra yards. If he can consistently impress with his hands, Linder should dominate area defenses and propel a high-octane Hayden Gregory offense this fall.    Camauri Simmons, RB 2023   Speed is everything in the game of football, and senior Camauri Simmons may be one of the most lethal at it in the Lowcountry. A dynamic piece of Bluffton's offense a year ago, Simmons should be utilized even more this season both on the ground and in the passing game. His quick feet and high motor allow him to accelerate past defenders and his versatility makes it difficult to hold the speed demon down. Expect to see Simmons take a high percentage of carries in the backfield while starring in the slot as an explosive receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='204429' first='Jaquinn' last='Williams'], LB 2023   A talented veteran primed to captain his team, [player_tooltip player_id='204429' first='Jaquinn' last='Williams'] is ready to shine in his senior season. Williams is a monster playmaker who uses his strength and physicality to thrive in the heart of Bluffton's defense. He has great instincts off the snap and can quickly stride into the backfield to make stops. Williams can also contribute as a running back on the offensive side with his excellent quickness and power.   [player_tooltip player_id='208337' first='Jeremiah' last='Curry'], LB 2024   A rising star at linebacker alongside Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='208337' first='Jeremiah' last='Curry'] has all the skills to excel this fall for the Bobcats. The rising junior can fly from sideline to sideline with the size and frame to rack up tackles. Curry is super-athletic and has improved his skills in coverage to become a terrific piece of a growing Bobcat defense. He's primed to make more big strides as he continues to vault up the state's rankings.    More Names To Know   Max Vonhohenstraeten QB 2023   Brian Andrade OL 2023   [player_tooltip player_id='376311' first='Wyatt' last='Tant'] WR/DB 2024   Tysen James LB/DB 2023   Roderick Buxton RB 2024   2022 Schedule/ Games To Circle   8/19 vs. Beach (GA)   The Hayden Gregory era begins with a battle against a side from his old home state of Georgia. The Bulldogs are looking to rebound from a one-win season a year ago and should be an excellent early litmus test for a new-look team. Bluffton should be fired up to play this one on its home field, and an opening win could do wonders for a Bobcat senior class looking to break through in 2022.   8/26 at Jenkins (GA)   9/2 at Woodland   9/16 vs. Battery Creek   9/23 at Beaufort   9/30 at Hilton Head *   10/7 vs. Lucy Beckham*   10/14 vs. James Island*   10/21 at May River*   It doesn't get any bigger these days in the Lowcountry than Bluffton-May River, and we could be in store for a classic this time around. With region champion Beaufort now down in Class 3A, this contest could loom large in how the region races will finish. Gregory's squad will have to make the trip to the Shark Tank, but don't count out this group's chances of playing its rivals tough and even stealing it on the road.    10/28 vs Colleton County*

Hayden Gregory helped transform Collins Hill into a championship program in Georgia. Now, he's about to bring that same mentality to his first head coaching job at Bluffton.