2026 Preview: Hanahan Hawks

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions through July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   Hanahan offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1654997' first='Brandyn' last='Maduro'] remembers the feeling.   The Hawks were tied with Newberry at halftime of the second round of the playoffs last year before falling 41-21 and finishing the 2025 season with a record of 6-6.   “It definitely was heartbreaking,” Maduro told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons on July 10. "We had them tied at halftime, and we came out a little slow in the second half, you know? We're a (lower) seed going against a top seed and we're the underdogs, but hopefully this year, we'll make a run.”   As 2026 approaches and with the talent returning, there's no shortage of fuel to the fire to build towards getting back to that point and going deeper.   “It definitely has really been a big fuel for us and it's been pushing us to do better and get stronger and get faster and get out there so we can just keep going when it gets to that point,” senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1822225' first='Isaiah' last='Snodgrass'] (pictured above) said.   The Hawks return 10 starters offensively including running back [player_tooltip player_id='1817903' first='Xavier' last='Sabback'] who is expected to accompany Snodgrass. [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] along with Ashton Ranly are expected to anchor things on the offensive line.    The offense averaged 26 points a game in 2026, and offensive coordinator Eric Tuttle is excited about the work the offense has put in. Summer workouts have run Monday through Thursday from 7am until noon and the buy-in from the guys has been there.   “We'll go from practice and then I'll go out to the field with some of these guys and they're still running routes trying to catch footballs. It's exciting watching these guys work,” Tuttle said.   The defense returns seven starters, including Luke Bellamy at linebacker. Maduro will also flip over and play on the defensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1819698' first='Ben' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] will anchor things up front while [player_tooltip player_id='1817902' first='Lucas' last='Meyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819703' first='Lendon' last='Dodd'] will hold down the linebacker spots along with [player_tooltip player_id='1819695' first='Mason' last='Bellamy']. [player_tooltip player_id='1674104' first='Veer' last='Patel'] is expected to get the start at safety.   STARS SET TO SHINE   Tripp Gallus QB, 2028 – Gallus splashed on the scene as a sophomore, throwing for 1497 yards and 14 touchdowns and completing 59% of his passes. He currently holds an offer from Eastern Michigan. He can sling it to his receivers and puts it where only his receiver can go up and make the catch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822225' first='Isaiah' last='Snodgrass'] RB, 2027 – The Hawks' leading rusher returns for his senior season after rushing for 914 yards on 185 carries and 13 touchdowns. He had three games over 100 yards rushing in 2025. Once he finds the hole, he explodes and gets up field quickly for yards, which is something he told us that he can take to another level in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1654997' first='Brandyn' last='Maduro'] OL/DL, 2027 – Maduro returns as one of the leaders up front on the offensive line in 2026 for the Hawks. He told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons that he excels at splitting double teams in the run game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1819697' first='Grayson' last='Mathes'] WR, 2027 – Mathes returns as the team's leading receiver, as he finished with 45 receptions for 651 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. If he finds an open lane, it could be a big play. The Hawks used him on special teams to go along with his role at receiver, and he took several kicks back to the house. At receiver, he excels in the screen game and gets up field quickly after making the catch. The ability to play fast paced and high energy, making it hard for defensive backs to man up on him is something he does well. Speaking of defensive backs, he is expected to flip over and play corner as well.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1222230' first='Quamell' last='Grant'] WR, 2028 – If you want a deep, vertical threat who can go up and make the contested catches, Grant is your guy. He has great size and hands to be able to catch whatever comes his way. He can also take a quick slant, run the route and then he's off to the races with his speed. He made an interception last year, showing his athleticism in the process. He'll line up at corner again as well in 2026. He finished 2025 with 43 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Josh Amara LB – The All-Region linebacker had 82 total tackles with 9 tackles for loss. He flipped over to the offense at running back with six touchdowns.   Landen Ritchie LB – Ritchie was the team's second leading tackler with 76 tackles along with 8 tackles for loss.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Troy Davis TE, 2027 – Davis has smooth hands and was an outlet for the quarterback on the JV team in 2025. He can catch the ball out in the flat and knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He has good speed when he gets out into the open field and is tough to try to defend with his size as he was flexed out as an H-back in the Hawks offense. It will be interesting to see how he can work his way into the rotation on varsity in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819699' first='Connor' last='Schleizer'] OL, 2028 – Schleizer started 12 games at left guard for the Hawks in 2025, and looks to build on the success he had as a sophomore. He moves his feet well and can pull around well and create holes in the run game. He goes and picks up the first threat with quickness and aggressiveness that you like to see from the position.    Manigault has a good twitch to him in that when he makes a play on the ball, you'll know it is him. He uses his hands to get off blocks quickly and limit run plays to a short gain. If he can't get there for the sack, he can get his hands up and knock the ball away from the quarterback.   He can move laterally well when a play goes to the outside and has a motor that is always running. He finished 2025 with 38 total tackles including four tackles for loss as a sophomore.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions through July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.