2026 Preview: Hardeeville Hurricanes

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 throughout 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.   This will be just the third season back for Hardeeville after more than a decade-long merger they had with Ridgeland. This will be the second season under coach Arthur Gardner, and the Hurricanes hope they can finish better than they did a season ago that resulted in a first round playoff exit.   They have experience but the Hurricanes are under a youth movement that will see several sophomores and freshmen play pivotal roles this season.   Senior two-way standout Joniathan Greene thinks he's seen a difference in the players from this time a season ago.   “It's been more intense and way more discipline from last year,” Greene said. “We are working as a team more. There's been better conditioning in the offseason. We have a lot of players that play both ways so that is a key for us. The younger guys are really going to help us.   Some of the younger players that will contribute early include freshmen WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2253662' first='Jeremiah' last='Dunham'] DE Travon Harris and OL Jose Chavez among a couple of others. Then you have sophomores like offensive and defensive linemen Linden Phillips (pictured above) and Kyrin Jamison in the mix as well.   That makes the older guys and the newcomers excited.   “We feel like we bring a different element to the team,” Dunham said. “We all have our strengths and that's just going to make the team better overall.”   According to the projected starting lineup that Gardner provided, there are eight players expected to start on both sides of the ball. Depth is always an issue at the Class A level, but injuries could essentially wipe out two starting positions among the 22 starters.   Quarterback/linebacker Emiliano Santiago running back/linebacker Greg Grant wide receiver/defensive back Kyrell Jamison and offensive lineman/defensive lineman Da'Mian Gilyard will supply a lot of upperclassmen leadership. Gilyard was an All-State wrestler that has really developed over the offseason.   Gardner feels better entrenched after his first season. He felt like the team got better as the season went on last year and with the influx of new talent mixed with the returners, he hopes that will set the stage for a better finish.   “The standard and expectation have to be installed and put in place,” Gardner said. “They have to understand that to have a solid program, everything must run to expectations. Stay consistent with the little things and the bigger things will take care of themselves. I think we have a bright future.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   Joniathan Greene RB/LB, 2027 – The coaching staff has tab Greene as the leader on both sides of the ball. He's a tireless worker that doesn't know what it means to take a day off. Greene is compact and can run through tackles as well as run around them. On defense, he brings that workmanlike attitude that spreads to the rest of the team.     Kyrell Jamison WR/DB, 2027 – There's a chance that you will see Jamison do a little bit of everything for the Hurricanes. He's one of many that will start on both sides of the ball. He's also a return specialist that can change the momentum of a game quickly. He's not the biggest player on the field but he plays with a fearless attitude.     Linden Phillips OL/DL, 2029 (pictured above) – Phillips began his freshman year as the starting center but because of his size and mobility, the coaching staff moved him to tackle. He's 6-foot-3, 250 pounds and basically had an audition under fire last year. The coaching staff said he's really picked things up in the offseason and has gotten bigger and stronger after dedicating himself to the weight room.   Greg Grant WR/LB, 2027 – The Hurricanes will be a young team and will need someone like Grant, a player that's been in the program, to help set the expectations as a senior leader. He fits the mold of a lot of the two-way standouts for Hardeeville. He's 5-foot-8, 165 pounds and flies around making plays on defense and is a dangerous speedster on offense.     FILM REVIEW   Emiliano Santiago QB/LB, 2027 – There are those rare exceptions where you will see a quarterback take some snaps on defense but that usually comes in the secondary, which Santiago did last season. But this season, the coaching staff is counting on Santiago to be the starting quarterback and starting linebacker. He's not afraid of contact and will stick his helmet into the pile. But his biggest strength might be the ability to read and react quickly.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Camari Brown ATH – Brown was an All-State selection that was the leading rusher and leading tacklers from a season ago. He has speed to burn as he excelled in the track championships in the spring.     Carlos Calustro OL/DL – Calustro brought a toughness and attitude in the trenches. He didn't back down regardless of the opponent. His leadership and drive is one thing that will definitely be missed.     UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   DeShawn Albany DB/WR, 2028 – Gardner would light up when he was talking about his younger kids, but when the conversation started about Albany, he sort of smiled like he knew something others didn't. The transfer from Battery Creek has made an immediate impression and will be counted on all over the field. He's only about 5-foot-8, 150 pounds but can fly once he gets into the open field.   Kyrin Jamison OL/DL, 2029 – Jamison is slated to play offensive tackle, and the tools look to be in place at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds. He moves well, can get out in front of a play and block guys on the second level. He's a run-stopper on defense that will be in the rotation at tackle. He's getting better knowledge on how to play with leverage and that will help him become more of a contributor as time goes on.    The Hurricanes are likely to play four to six freshmen this season, but Dunham stands to probably make the biggest impact. He was one of the three players Gardner brought to Philip Simmons as part of media day.   Dunham is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and has college coaches turning their heads as soon as he gets off the bus at various different camps. He's humbled but his aggression and wanting to learn is way beyond his years. He studies the game and wants to be good. He's going to be a stat producer at wide receiver and safety and might even take some snaps at quarterback and running back.

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 throughout 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.