2024 Preview: TL Hanna Yellow Jackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TL Hanna graduated 39 seniors from the 2023 squad that went 10-2, losing to Dutch Fork in the second round of the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets will be young, but head coach Jason Tone is looking for growth as the 2024 season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Our season will go how our younger guys grow as the season goes on. We're not going to be perfect in Week Zero when we play Byrnes but as the year goes on, we're hoping come playoff time, we're ready to go,” Tone said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets return three starters on offense including senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254105' first='Brandon' last='Cunningham']. </strong>The guys that are in the offense now have been running the Wing-T option offense since they were in 7th grade, so while the experience may not be there, the familiarity with the system is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“They're well versed and even though they may not be household names, they know exactly what to do and what's expected of them.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, the same amount of starters return including senior cornerback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='274752' first='Cameron' last='Strong']</strong>, who committed to NC State back on June 21. Tone says the Wolfpack program is getting a humble young man who is hungry to get better. Strong (pictured above) told Prep Redzone SC that he is working on becoming a more vocal leader heading into 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We've got a lot of young guys so (we're) just showing them the way, stacking those days in the offseason and just working as hard as we can,” Strong said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='Kedarrion' last='Patterson']</strong> RB, 2025 – Patterson has a motor that is always running and has a great burst of speed once he gets out into the open field. But in the offense that the Jackets run, he shows an ability to break tackles and is not afraid of contact. He ran for 1,682 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley Martin</strong> TE, 2025 – Martin will play a critical role in blocking in the run game and opening up holes. Don't be surprised if you see him out on pass plays when the defense sells out against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Martin</strong> DL, 2025&nbsp; – A two year starter for the Yellow Jackets who is an enforcer from his defensive end spot. He is tough to block because of his size and his quickness once the ball is snapped.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drique Vance</strong> S, 2025 – Vance will help in the secondary and with stopping the run. He is a hard hitter and can defeat blocks quickly to get into the backfield. He can go up against receivers one-on-one in man coverage and knock the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daylan Williams</strong> MLB, 2025 – Tone says he is extremely physical and has gotten bigger and faster this offseason. He can identify plays quickly and limit the play for a short gain. There was one play against Boiling Springs last year where he stuffed a quarterback keeper for no gain down near the goal line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13287318/6511a0daab92d1102c115a41' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669484d0efff4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THREE POTENTIAL RISING STARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664486' first='Jaylon' last='Watson']</strong> RB/DB, 2027 – Watson is a two-way player who will be explosive. He can make tackles in space, especially against running backs out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Walker Kelley</strong> TE/LB, 2026 – Kelley played some receiver for the Yellow Jackets in 2023 but will see time in other areas this fall. He is a dynamic pass catcher who can go up and make the grab. He's used a lot on corner routes and can create a size disadvantage for teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1664203' first='Travonne' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"TL Hanna","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669484d0f1524"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tone says he has a chance to be like how Cam Strong was a sophomore. He is an explosive corner that is also a good running back for the Yellow Jackets. He has good hands and good ball skills, and is very athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15982584/65e13b27b3c8cf0a00144cd9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-669484d0f1561"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->