2025 Preview: Hanahan Hawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the belief of Hanahan assistant coach Eric Tuttle in regard to the upcoming season that the Hawks can compete with anyone in the region. They finished 6-6 overall and third place in Region VI-3A behind eventual state champion Oceanside Collegiate and Orangeburg-Wilkinson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 21-17 loss to the Bruins particularly stuck out for Hanahan. Despite a 49-7 loss to the Landsharks a week earlier, the Hawks were still optimistic given the play of freshman quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus']</strong> and All-State wide receiver <strong>Dru Goldsmith</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot at lot last year, especially at O-W,” Tuttle said. “We were down in the red zone three-four times and didn't score. (We) didn't convert on third downs, didn't hit any field goals.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Hawks are to be contenders, other players will have to emerge as positive “surprises” like Gillus. Rising sophomore wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222230' first='Quamell' last='Grant']</strong> showed a high upside in his brief play last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area of potential big upside is on the offensive line. Rising sophomore <strong>Elijah T Mitchell</strong> will team up upfront with rising junior<strong> </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654997' first='Brandyn' last='Maduro']</strong> and rising senior <strong>Kam Raymond</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654260' first='Joshua' last='Amara'] </strong>is expected to play a major role on both sides of the football. The three-year letterman plays disciplined at tight end and linebacker to go with his team leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rising junior safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1674104' first='Veer' last='Patel']</strong> has also grown physically as well in game IQ. His style of play also fits into the on-field personality of the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“This team has a bunch of grit," Tuttle said. “They understand what we're doing. They're very disciplined. They know what we can do. So, as long as they stick to what we teach and how they're taught, then we can contend with anybody in our region." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1654260' first='Joshua' last='Amara'] </strong>TE, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 203-pound rising senior (pictured) is entering his fourth season with the Hawks. His ability to catch and retain the football on flat routes makes his effective at tight end. He actually feels comfortable in an H-back role where he can put his speed and versatility on display. Amara also reacts quickly at linebacker and is a sound tackler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus']</strong> QB, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a freshman, he led the Hawks to two straight victories. Gallus showed accuracy on his passing and an ability to break long runs for scores. He finished with 1,148 passing yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception in eight games. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kam Raymond</strong> OL, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior will look to provide leadership to a group which may have as many as four rising sophomores. At 6-foot 3 and 275 pounds, he creates openings at tackle and guard. Once in a stance, Raymond is always moving forward and is immovable as a pass blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1674104' first='Veer' last='Patel']</strong> S, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior has grown four inches over his freshman season. A communicator on the field, Patel shows quick instincts on defense and stays disciplined in reacting to the football. He had 33 tackles last season in showing an ability to make open field tackles without assistance. Patel knows when to stay close to the line of scrimmage of drop back to defend the pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17864060/67511631c47d6c7ee0e928a8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68687edbe8e4e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Travis Neal RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He accounted for a team-high 776 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tre Shepard</strong> WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team's “MacGyver” was utilized at running back, wide receiver and defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dru Goldsmith </strong>WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone Class 3A All-State selection on the Hawks last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antwain Mitchell</strong> OL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leader of a senior-laden group up front for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong><br><strong><b>Elijah</b> T Mitchell</strong> OL, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising sophomore is considered one of the most promising new offensive linemen for the Hawks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1646138' first='Awaab' last='Kamil']</strong> G, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rising junior expected to see action on both sides of the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222230"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68687edbea8a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The rising sophomore saw limited action as he was brought up late in the season. He demonstrated in four games a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and after making a reception. He's also demonstrated his versatility during the off-season as he saw action at quarterback during the Berkeley County Showcase. He's expected to play on both sides of the football again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21073465/673153ee3079eb625c72ad64' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68687edbea8db"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->