2025 Preview: Hillcrest Rams

Hillcrest head coach Bennett Swygert points to the inability to stop the run defensively and run the ball offensively as one of the struggles towards the end of last year as the Rams finished 8-4 with a second round loss against Greenwood.   And as it is for all teams during the offseason, a point of emphasis for the Rams was the weight room and getting stronger. Now with the 2025 season opener in exactly one month against Laurens at home on August 22, Swygert knows he has a young team full of sophomores, with some seniors mixed in. And continuing to see them be physical on the field and developing good practice habits will be key.   “It's fun. We're really talented. At the same time, it's kind of stressful, but to bounce back to the fun part, we focus on fundamentals and not so much on concepts. So getting back to the root of the game and we feel like our kids are really brought into what we're trying to do in the locker room and really growing together,” Swygert told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Hillcrest in late June.   Cory Collins and Meshan Jones will be a part of an all sophomore defensive front. While they are young, Swygert is excited about the potential they bring to the table. Ny'jai Harris will be one of the senior leaders on the offensive side of the ball at receiver.    STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1734635' first='Jaden' last='Brinkley'] OL/DL, 2026 – Brinkley will be the elder statesman on the offensive line and he's been focusing his offseason on getting stronger. When we went back and watched his film, he can move guys right off the ball and he even pancaked one guy in the ground. He has great size and knee bend as well.   General expectations heading into 2025: “Just being more aggressive when we do get pads on. I think we're liking that right now but we're developing in the weight room.”   Gavin Sullivan DB, 2027 – The Eastside transfer will be a welcomed boost to the Rams secondary in 2025. He had 54 tackles and two tackles for loss for the Eagles last year in 2024. He can stay stride for stride with receivers in one-on-one coverage, whether it's a deflection or a big hit to jar the bar loose. He can also come up in run support and make tackles. He wants to bring that same level of aggression to the Rams' defense. He currently has an offer from East Tennessee State.   Expectations heading into 2025: “The expectation and the standard is to be great every day and give 110% every time at whatever we're doing.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] QB, 2027 – There won't be any guesses about who the starting quarterback for the Rams will be in 2025, and that's because Free (pictured above) had experience in 2024, going all the way back to the Clover game in 2024. He is athletic and can make plays with his arm and his legs. He threw for 1144 yards and 14 touchdowns in the air along with 165 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.   Improvements heading into 2025: “Just trying to grow off the year we had last year and be better as a team and the culture's changing here this season.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1051192' first='Nydarrian' last='Allen'] RB, 2028 – Allen is only a sophomore who saw minutes on the varsity squad last year. There's a good chance he could increase his role in the running back rotation in 2025. He ran for 50 yards and one touchdown in 2024.   Expectations heading into 2025: “Pushing through mental battles, especially. Just getting more disciplined and more aggressive (and) pushing through.   FILM REVIEW   Josh Smith RB, 2026 – Smith is a physical, downhill back who can fly once he gets into the open field. He can break through arm tackles and keep his legs churning. He finished the 2024 season with 877 yards rushing and had three games over 100+ yards rushing, with five touchdowns on the ground.    General expectations heading into 2025: “Just working better as a team and having more physicality and that mentality and have a great season.”   KEY LOSSES   Weston Willis WR – Willis was a leader for the Rams at the receiver position, leading the team with 1183 yards and 14 touchdowns.   Frank Starks III RB – Starks ran for 877 yards and five touchdowns on 118 carries in 2024.   UP AND COMING POTENTIAL   Elijah Jackson RB, 2028 – Jackson was the only guy that dressed for the Rams as a freshman. He finished the year for the Rams at punt and kick returner. Swygert says he caught a touchdown in last year's game against TL Hanna and had a pass breakup against Greenville.    Teeshad Nixon DB, 2026 – Nixon will be one of the guys that the Rams' defense will be counting on in the secondary. He can stick it to his receivers with tight coverage on the outside and can get up vertically to make interceptions.    Briggs will anchor things in the secondary. He had a solid 2024 campaign from his safety position and stood out on film with his ability to be able to lay the lumber on the ball carrier. He can come up in run support and takes good angles to the ball. He's also good at being able to locate the ball and make interceptions.

Hillcrest head coach Bennett Swygert points to the inability to stop the run defensively and run the ball offensively as one of the struggles towards the end of last year as the Rams finished 8-4 with a second round loss against Greenwood.