2024 Preview: Blackville-Hilda Fighting Hawks

Not all that long ago, [player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman'] was a little known defensive back at South Aiken when he and his family elected to transfer.   The shift over to Blackville-Hilda wasn't a difficult one. After all, his grandfather, Tyrone, was elected the town's mayor three times.   “I knew it was a better decision, but I didn't know it was going to end up like this,” Holman said. “I just wanted an opportunity to show my talent. I didn't know was going to take off like this. We did not know this was going to happen.”   “This,” in this case, feels like he's putting it lightly   Holman had a monster junior season, sandwiched between two huge showings at the Carolinas Coaches Combines. Plenty of college attention followed, and he verbally committed to South Carolina last month.   What was also going on was that Holman's transfer to Blackville-Hilda coincided with a roster boom. Athletic ability is off the charts, something evidenced by the Hawks' 10 wins last fall and their long list of speed demons. Quarterback Samari Williams has been clocked at a 4.56. Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1360154' first='Namair' last='Anderson'] has a 4.53 under his belt while position mate [player_tooltip player_id='1395064' first='Messiah' last='McFadden'] has a 4.57. And the list goes on. There's a reason the school won the 4x100 state title in May   So, doesn't coach Kevin Jones ever have to slow his guys down during practice?    “Especially when we're doing something with a lot of motion, it can look a little herky-jerky,” Jones said. “When we go out in the mornings during the summer and are working on our plays and misdirections, we're looking to see where we're going to be best attacking. It comes down to we've got to make sure we're not over running our block. Some of our kids want to just take it outside.”   We're positive not a lot of coaches feel sorry for Jones.   We're also sure that Holman is loving the decision he made a little over a year ago. He's got his, and he thinks it's time his teammates got theirs.    “We're so electrifying on both sides of the ball. We have no weak aspects,” he said. “Last year, we were pretty good; I'm not going to lie. But we're at a different level now. We're gonna be pretty good this year.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='605527' first='Jaquel' last='Holman'] RB/LB, 2025 - The University of South Carolina commitment rushed for 1,741 yards and 28 touchdowns while averaging better than 10 yards per carry. He also caught 12 passes for another 138 yards and two more scores and had 76 tackles and nine tackles for loss from his spot at linebacker.    [player_tooltip player_id='1360154' first='Namair' last='Anderson'] DB/WR, 2025 - Blackville is planning on throwing the ball more than it needed to last season to open up the field, and Anderson is among the primary targets. More importantly, he's got corner skills that help prevent opponents from doing the same. He had 42 tackles, two pick sixes and a forced fumble last year.   Samari Williams QB, 2025 - This will be Williams' fourth season starting games (he was a part-time starter as a freshman and sophomore before taking over for good last year). He's entering this fall with 2,200 total yards of offense 28 career touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='1359157' first='Jabarius' last='Johnson'] LB, 2025 - The 5-foot-5, 190-pound middle linebacker has put on considerable weight this offseason in preparation for him becoming the primary tackling force on the defense. He had 102 total stops as a junior, and he likely dwarfs that tally this time around.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1360390' first='Jamarion' last='Kirkland'] RB/LB, 2025 - One of the newest faces on the Blackville-Hilda roster is no stranger. Kirkland was an all-region selection at Williston-Elko last year. The 6-foot-2, 180 pounder can break tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield, block, split out wide when the team goes spread. He's going to be a huge piece to this puzzle.     BIGGEST LOSS   KJ Sabb LB - Sabb recorded 151 of his 193 varsity career tackles last fall during his senior season. He was in on nearly every play and his numbers showed it.    Tamari Daniels ATH - Daniels had 459 receiving yard, 410 rushing yards, 204 punt return yards and 12 total touchdowns.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1003565' first='Jayden' last='Dash'] OL/DL, 2026 - Dash is up to 6-foot and 255 pounds and is among the bigger guys on the line. He was an all-region selection last year, but the coaching staff believes that was only the beginning of how good he could be.    Jaden Jackson RB/DL, 2026 - Jackson adds a fullback component to the offense when needed and can occasionally get the team some yards when he's handed the ball. He averaged 6.1 yards on 24 carries as a sophomore. He's soon to be getting more reps on defense, too.     At 6-foot-4, McFadden added some significant height to the roster when he decided last year he wasn't only going to play basketball. He adds a significant containment presence on the edge that affects opposing pass plays as much as it does against the run. He had 25 tackles and a pick six in eight games. And thanks to his height, he's going to see time at receiver, too.

Not all that long ago, Jaquel Holman Jaquel Holman 6'2" | 195 lbs | ATH Blackville-Hilda | 2025 State SC was a little known defensive back at South Aiken when he and his family elected to transfer.