2025 Preview: Heathwood Hall Highlanders

The [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] that walked into the Heathwood Hall varsity football program as a freshman doesn't look or sound like the version heading into his senior season.   There's been turmoil for the promising quarterback, and an injury derailed not only most of his sophomore season, but the offseason development heading into Year 3. But right around the time Belk was starting to get back to full health, another change in the program happened, too.   Tymere Zimmerman, after serving as the JV head coach and the program's strength coach, was promoted up the ranks in a rapid pace.   The former Marlboro County and Newberry College standout started to create a mean streak for his players.   Belk and the others took it all in, knowing it wasn't always going to be cookies and sunshine.    “You get older and you start to see ‘That's why I did this,'” Belk said last week during the Prep RedZone Media Day at Westwood. “You want to bring that same energy to everybody else. You want to do it in a way where you can be nice, but when it's time to lock in, you're ready.”   Coming off a 2-8 season in Zimmerman's first official year leading the program (he was the associate head coach for most of 2023), the slate for this season is not only manageable for what the Highlanders are bringing back, there's an expectation of significantly more success.   Belk isn't the only star back. Two-way threats [player_tooltip player_id='1024349' first='Julian' last='Hughes'] (tailback, defensive back), [player_tooltip player_id='1592011' first='Jackson' last='Noble'] (receiver, defensive back) and Keon McKinley (receiver, defensive back) will all be in uniform again after different levels of individual production values in 2024. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser'] (19 tackles in limited action) and edge Thomas Scurry (73 tackles, seven TFL) will also be in crucial spots that allow Heathwood to rotate even more.   What any of those players did last season, however, was partially a product of some of the conversations that happened a year prior. The squad was preparing to play Hammond in a JV game and Zimmerman heard something unsettling during the prep week.    “I didn't know a lot about SCISA football. I knew what I saw on TV, but I didn't know [much] going to Marlboro County. We're going into that first game, and the players are naming all the players on their team,” Zimmerman said. “I said, ‘We're not doing that.' We came out and tied with them. We went on to win four games after not winning a game for two years. It was all about believing. If you lose the battle before the battle, you're not going to win. Have a mean streak, believe you're going to do it.”   It then translated right on up the flag pole. After Zimmerman took over at the top of the program, he created practice situations meant to toughen up the players even more.   He saw this roster full of academic standouts start to look even more like football ones, too.    “I have to do this for my team,” Belk said of his mindset during those drills. "I don't know if I'm going to finish and I know I'm going to be tired. But I have to finish for my team.”   Said Zimmerman: "I won't be surprised by the win total this year because they've bought in.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] QB, 2026 - After missing most of 2023 with a foot injury, Belk jumped back into the mix as a junior and showed some dynamic arm strength. He put up several games with at least 250 passing yards and is a threat to put just about any ball into the end zone. He can also tuck it and run and will use his legs to further diversify the offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1024349' first='Julian' last='Hughes'] RB/DB, 2026 - The senior's summer has included a bevy of offers from high-academic institutions around the country. He was named a SCISA First-Team All-State selection last fall after putting up 150 tackles from his spot at safety. He also had eight tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and a pick. This year, he adds starting tailback to his resume.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592011' first='Jackson' last='Noble'] WR/DB, 2026 - Another of the big seniors on this squad, Noble racked up 81 stops from his hybrid spot on defense and gives Belk another great target on offense. The three-sport athlete is 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds and a match-up problem on either side of the ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='1672907' first='Heyward' last='Belser'] LB, 2028 - The 6-foot-2, 185-pound linebacker is going to be asked to take on an earlier leadership role despite playing in front of a high number of older players. He's got some range, something he proved during his freshman season, when he had 71 total tackles and finished with back-to-back 12-plus stop games.    FILM REVIEW   Keon McKinley DB/WR, 2027 - McKinley and Belk have already proved they have excellent chemistry. It's on display every time McKinley sets up in the backfield and sprints out, only to quickly catch a pass. We probably won't see him in that formation as much this season, but the skill set remains while he's spending his time on offense lined up more as a receiver. Add in his defensive abilities, and McKinley will be all over the PA address this fall.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Onis Konanbanny DB - The standout defensive back signed with Florida after putting up 53 tackles, an interception, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during his senior season.    Jordan Kennedy DL - The defensive end accounted for 108 tackles over his 26-game Heathwood Hall career, including 51 last season to go along with seven tackles for loss.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Liam Edwards DB, 2027 - As a sophomore, Edwards played a significant amount of minutes and repaid the opportunity with 33 total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He's going to start, and when some of the two-way guys need some rest, his role will increase.   Hill Belser DL, 2027 - The 6-foot, 200-pound defensive tackle isn't big by most standards for the position, but he uses some of the same energy to the football field that he exhibits in lacrosse. Belser had 19 tackles in eight games as a sophomore.    With a squad full of experienced defensive backs, Heathwood had a major need for linebackers. Taylor is going to fill one of those spots, and he's not simply a warm body. He's got the goods to cover sideline-to-sideline, and the Highlanders are likely going to have him playing both the middle and outside linebacker spots for now.

The Patrick Belk Patrick Belk 6'0" | 200 lbs | QB Heathwood Hall | 2026 State SC that walked into the Heathwood Hall varsity football program as a freshman doesn't look or sound like the version heading into his senior season.