Padgett's Breakout Game Ends Aiken's On-Field Losing Streak

AYNOR | For as much as Friday will be talked about Aiken starting off the Steve Hibbitts era on the right foot, for as much as it will referenced for giving the Hornets their first on-field victory since Sept. 30 of 2022, it could also be known as something else.   The [player_tooltip player_id='1840684' first='Tanner' last='Padgett'] game.   Aiken's junior quarterback finished off season-opening, 27-7 win at Aynor by going eight-of-10 for 148 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for another short-yardage score. And while three total touchdowns and 160 total yards of offense isn't going to have anyone line up to deem him a messiah, the efficiency of his game and the flashes of brilliance attached to them - all the while helping the Aiken offense pound the Blue Jackets into submission - should be considered some of the biggest signs of momentum this program has seen since its last winning season back in 2015.    “This is just a starting point,” Padgett said after a brief on-field celebration that included he and his teammates heading to the stands to thank supporters who made the cross-state drive. “We're going to take this one and just run with it. We have that confidence now that we know we can do it. That's the first time in a long time (Aiken has one a game on the score board), but now that we've seen it, we know we can do it.”   Padgett wasn't just one of the primary catalysts for Friday's win. He was also one of the guys that saw first hand how ugly last year could be.   As a sophomore, he started every game for the Hornets and threw for less than 600 yards in the team's run-heavy and oft-floundering offense. This was a squad that averaged less than 10 points per game, after all.   Aiken was ultimately credited with a forfeit win over Gray Collegiate (the Eagles won that game in lopsided fashion prior to the SCHSL ruling employed after GCA was found to have used an ineligible player). But the moment Hibbitts was hired away from Lakewood (Ga.), the organizational standards of the program started to change.   Everything offensively during the season opener looked head and shoulders above where it has for some time. Padgett and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1840715' first='Tarrant' last='McKenzie'] linked up five times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Tailbacks [player_tooltip player_id='1840691' first='Darius' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1840730' first='Michael' last='Francis'] took the lead, but others jumped into the fold as well. The offensive line held its own to keep the clock churning.   In fact, that was the secondary storyline here.   Aiken's second touchdown drive of the game consumed almost the entire second quarter, as the Hornets drove 93 yards in 10 minutes, 36 seconds en route to a 14–0 halftime lead. Padgett hit senior [player_tooltip player_id='1840708' first='Caleb' last='Griffin'] on a 4th and 7 from 39 yards away to capitalize on that one. And after Aynor was forced to punt on its opening possession of the second half, Padgett led his teammate on another long series - this time a 13-play drive that chewed up 8 minutes, 50 seconds where Padgett hit Walker on a 25-yard touchdown pass.    By that point, even some of the Aynor game-day staff were commenting on Padgett's ability to change arm angles and hit receivers in stride.   It was just one game, and just one win, but it felt like something else.   The post-game reaction spoke volumes. For the junior quarterback, it did, too.   “I try to make the most of every moment. Last year, I didn't make the most of it,” he said. “This year, things have slowed down a lot for me with one more year under my belt. The throws are getting easier for me.”   AYNOR PLAYER NOTES   While Aynor will be commenting on going empty in its first three trips into the red zone, it's also clear where this team will be putting a lot more of its focus. Former starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1734403' first='Luke' last='McCracken'] saw time at wing back and in direct-snap situations. He finished the game with only five carries, but those went for 67 yards. Four of his five carries went for a first down, and the fifth was a yard shy.   We might also start to see more from Grayson McKinney in the backfield, too. His only carry of the game went for 15 yards and helped set up the Blue Jackets' only points of the night.    Those came when another ball carrier - junior [player_tooltip player_id='1820106' first='Luke' last='Singleton'] - punched one in from 6 yards out with a little more than 4 minutes to play.    AIKEN PLAYER NOTES   The game was also the debut for several Aiken freshmen getting their first action. High up on that watch list is linebacker Johny Dobbs and Francis at tailback. Dobbs was a bit hidden in Aynor's tight-knit wing offense. However, Francis finished with 32 rushing yards.    Starting right tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1840771' first='Darrenton' last='Jones'] needs to be one of those other youngster fans should be paying attention to as the year progresses. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, Jones is lean and looks like he could be a bookend for this offense for the next three seasons. He and center [player_tooltip player_id='1840763' first='Devin' last='Stoker'] were particularly adept at giving a slew of tailbacks just enough of a crease to keep the chains moving throughout the night. Aiken did not punt once.   On the flip side of the Hornets' line, defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1840785' first='Christian' last='Johnson'] was instrumental in shutting down Aynor's rushing attack. Listed at 305 pounds, Johnson was swallowing up the Blue Jackets' dive plays that have been the crux of their heavy-set packages.    Hybrid linebacker/defensive back/edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] made a handful of plays that will surely be on his reel from the big win. In addition to chasing down a ball carrier who looked like he might be marching toward the end zone, the junior was also able to corral Aynor's punter after a bad snap. Kitchings made the stop, forcing a turnover on downs and setting up the Hornets' final points of the game with about 8 minutes to go.    Lastly, Aiken's kicking situation could quickly become one of the team's bigger, yet less talked about, success stories this year. After an experienced kicker left the team mid-summer, Hibbitts made an announcement over the PA system at school asking for player to try out for the position. It led to freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1840759' first='Jeremiah' last='Perry'] (PATs) and [player_tooltip player_id='1840799' first='Hugo' last='Diaz'] (kickoffs) not only earning uniforms, but varsity reps. Both are 2029s, and both appear ready to deliver throughout 2025.

AYNOR | For as much as Friday will be talked about Aiken starting off the Steve Hibbitts era on the right foot, for as much as it will referenced for giving the Hornets their first on-field victory since Sept. 30 of 2022, it could also be known as something else.