2024 Preview: Hillcrest Rams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bennett Swygert set the bar high in his debut season as a high school coach in 2023. He became just the second coach in Hillcrest history to win 10 games, joining Greg Porter who did it four times. The Rams' 10-3 season ended with their only road loss - and second loss to J.L. Mann - 21-13 in round three of the Class 5A playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All Swygert has to do for an encore is replace a 1,300-yard rusher, an 1,100-yard receiver and three of Hillcrest's four leading tacklers in 2023. The biggest shoes to fill belonged to Avery McFadden. McFadden rewrote the Hillcrest record book on his way to being a Mr. Football finalist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While McFadden was a special force who affected games in so many different ways, Swygert is excited to see how things go without one player being the focal point for both sidelines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Avery was a great player, which is why we got the ball to him so much. Having said that, we feel good about the quarterback who did that and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809746' first='Kalab' last='Sutton']</strong> (pictured) is back," Swygert said. "Everybody knew we were trying to get the ball to Avery ... and he was still able to do it. So that might things easier on Kalab this year, along with the familiarity with personnel."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This time last year, Sutton had just transferred to Hillcrest and was in a battle for the starting job. After throwing for 19 touchdowns and rushing for 10 more last season, Sutton is ready to build off that and be more of a leader as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Now that I know the people and the plays, I can be more vocal," Sutton said. "People will hear names they didn't hear last year and we have a lot of new faces to the team. That will only help open up the offense to do a lot of different stuff."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following the graduation of leading rusher Thomas Stanley, the running back spot has been infused with a pair of talented transfers - seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359171' first='Frank' last='Starks']</strong> from Fort Myers (Fla.) High and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Brayden' last='Johnson']</strong> from St. Joseph's. Starks averaged 7.5 yards per carry last season, while Johnson scored a total of 30 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swygert believes senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='347516' first='Weston' last='Willis']</strong> is set to step up at receiver. He was McFadden's backup last season and like McFadden, Willis has already shown flashes of being a dynamic kick and punt returner. He's also the holder on special teams and turned a couple of high snaps into positive plays with improvised runs last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Furman commitment <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater']</strong> (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) is Sutton's biggest protector at left tackle. He leads Hillcrest's offensive line along with guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013075' first='Douglas' last='Hill']</strong> (6-foot-3, 295 pounds), who's committed to North Greenville. Hill's status going into this season is questionable after he was injured during a scrimmage on Aug. 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"This is unquestionably [player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater']'s team. He's a three-year starter and an elite-level player," Swygert said. "He's as good a human as he is a football player."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the trenches, Hillcrest will be led by defensive ends <strong>Antrez Nance</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254134' first='DJ' last='Henderson']</strong> and tackles <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254104' first='Donavan' last='Briggs']</strong> and Hill. Henderson had 56 tackles last year, including a team-high 12 tackles-for-loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After posting 79 tackles last season, senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1046263' first='Caleb' last='Costantino']</strong> returns to lead the linebackers. The "quarterback" of the defense will be Greenville transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson']</strong> (5-foot-7, 160 pounds), a muscular senior who can play all defensive back positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"This year, I'm transitioning from corner to safety so I can make more plays tackling. I'm excited about that," Henderson said. "I was really a pass coverage guy, but I made more tackles than I thought I could last year and just fell in love with it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809746' first='Kalab' last='Sutton']</strong> QB, 2025 - Sutton completed 117-of-211 passes for 1,842 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. He also rushed for 358 yards and 10 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346198' first='Bryce' last='Rainwater']</strong> OL, 2025 - Rainwater's agility and strength helps him maintain blocks well down the field if needed. Film also shows his ability to just fall on and flatten defenders trying to scurry around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antrez Nance</strong> DL, 2025 - Nearly one-third of Nance's 30 tackles last season went for a team-high 8.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson']</strong> DB, 2025 - Henderson had 47 tackles, including 33 solo stops last season. He also had two interceptions and 12 pass break-ups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013066' first='Brayden' last='Johnson']</strong> RB, 2025 - Johnson earned Class 1A All-State honors after rushing for 1,290 yards and 26 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359171' first='Frank' last='Starks']</strong> RB, 2025 - A look at film reveals how Starks was able to average 7.5 yards per carry last season. It's big plays. He finished with 837 yards on 111 carries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17660180/654805cac119a009b8a62f02' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be6eefdbcd6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery McFadden</strong> ATH - McFadden caught 70 passes for 1,102 yards and a school record 16 touchdown receptions last season. He also ran for nine touchdowns and had an interception return for a score. The Georgia State freshman is Hillcrest's career leader in receiving (3,311 yards) and total touchdowns (54).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Stanley</strong> RB - Stanley rushed for 1,310 yards, including a school record single-game total of 248, and 11 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Moses</strong> LB - Moses had a team-high 116 tackles, including 9.5 tackles-for-loss last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680986' first='Chris' last='Briggs']</strong> DB, 2026 - Briggs is expected to start near Henderson at the other safety spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Brinkley</strong> OL, 2026 - Brinkley (6-foot-1, 260 pounds) is projected to start at an offensive guard spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ny Allen</strong> RB, 2028 - Swygert said Allen could be used in a Christian McCaffrey type of role this season. The freshman could primarily line up in the slot. </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='1603877' first='Max' last='Barnes']","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"300","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillcrest Rams","_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-66be77892c092"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After starting at right guard as a freshman last season at Mauldin, Barnes is expected to start at center this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17452782/65a4b04af31d060bc853d4bc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66be77892c0c6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->