2023 Preview: Hammond Skyhawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you're a six-time defending SCISA state champion, is it a fair assessment to say you're in a rebuilding year. On paper, it might look that way, but Hammond has other plans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skyhawks will be youthful in certain areas but that doesn't mean the talent isn't there. The first order of business is figuring out the quarterback situation. <strong>Dylan Richardson</strong> graduated and that has left coach Jon Wheeler trying to figure things out in a three-man race.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Robert Malanuk</strong>, junior <strong>Charlie Allen</strong> and sophomore <strong>Ben Muela Kiser</strong> will likely go down to the wire to see who gets the first snaps of the season. As an added bonus to the battle, former South Carolina assistant coach GA Mangus is tutoring the group and calling plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We're definitely young in some places and we need to figure out who the quarterback is going to be to start the season,” Wheeler said. “But this is a talented group. A lot of people are looking at what we lost but what they don't see is the young guys that's been in the program finally getting their opportunity.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hammond will have a lot of new names, but don't be surprised when they're back to defend their title in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575317' first='Immanuel' last='Johnson']</strong> RB, 2025 – Johnson has been behind two guys that have gone on to play college football. But he had flashes last season, including 120 yards in the state championship. He's shifty at 5-foot-1, 195 pounds and will also take tacklers head on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeb Berry</strong> OL, 2024 – The offensive line is the most experienced place for the Skyhawks with four starters returning. Berry is the biggest of the bunch at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds. He has a nasty streak and that's something you like to see in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='947684' first='Will' last='McQueen']</strong> LB, 2024 – McQueen (pictured) was a tackling machine last season, leading Hammond with 91 tackles and 27 tackles for loss. He's 5-foot-10, 190 pounds and will be counted on to lead the defense that must replace everyone on the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cal McQueen</strong> OL, 2024 – McQueen is another returning starter on the offensive front. He might be a little undersized at 6-foot, 210 pounds but he handles the center position with ease. He will undoubtedly help whoever wins the QB battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Tyler</strong> ATH 2025 – Tyler is going to present matchup problems wherever he lines up on the field. He's 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and can line up at tight end or wide receiver. He only had 16 receptions for 181 yards as a sophomore, but he's done enough in the offseason to receive an offer from Cincinnati.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14953056/63882fc15ef7340128a94231' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d57c77ac509"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Richardson </strong>QB<strong> – </strong>Richardson ran for nearly 400 yards and 13 scores and added 1,553 yards passing and another 22 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rucker Brannon</strong> LB – Rucker was named SCISA Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year after registering 8 interceptions and having 74 tackles last season. He scored four defensive touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360365' first='Jaiden' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> DB/WR, 2025 – Haltiwanger is a transfer from Blythewood and will give the Skyhawks a speedy, big-hitting player in the secondary. He reads routes quickly and seems to have a knack for finding the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brewer LaMotte</strong> LB, 2025 – the junior saw a good bit of action last season, but he's poised for a breakout season. He registered 29 tackles in 2022 and will see those numbers drastically increase this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267282' first='Daylin' last='Haltiwanger']</strong> WR/DB, 2026 – Another transfer from Blythewood, Haltiwanger will see action on both sides of the ball. He will be an added help immediately at wide receiver with his 6-foot-2. 180-pound frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360106' first='Zay' last='Mathis']</strong> CB, 2025 – Mathis already has an offer from Wofford and should see more pour in this season. He's only 165 pounds but stands 6-foot so he can match up with bigger receivers if needed. He had 30 tackles, three interceptions and 11 PBU in 2022.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->