2022 Preview: Hilton Head Seahawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to say goodbye to Mr. Football. After a sensational career at Hilton Head High, Jaylen Sneed is on his way to Notre Dame. But don't be doubting BJ Payne and his Seahawks. Hilton Head will come into 2022 with major talent on the line - and an unmatched work ethic - to compete in&nbsp; Region 7-4A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loss of Sneed will hurt on both sides of the ball, but the Seahawks have capable players ready to step into their roles. <strong>Owen Bayes </strong>will be the leading candidate for a quarterback job with an excellent group of skill position players to target. With workhorse back Chase McCracken also lost to graduation, the Seahawks will most likely take a committee approach in the backfield behind an underrated offensive line. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139291' first='Braylen' last='Kitty']</strong> has emerged as one of the most talented offensive lineman in the state's junior class, and he will be counted on to give protection for his quarterback. <strong>Riley McCracken </strong>showed out this summer with his speed at wideout and should be the primary target in the passing game for a new-look offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's impossible to replace all that Jaylen Sneed did for the Seahawk defense, but Payne is developing a collection of players that will work hard to shine at their roles. There's no bigger star than defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262573' first='Chris' last='Marable']</strong>, who broke out last season and is primed for a monster senior campaign. <strong>Carter Saleeby</strong> is a veteran linebacker who plays hard on every snap and will have a bigger responsibility on his shoulders with Sneed gone. The Seahawks are deep defensively, so expect lots of competition for spots as the season gets closer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beaufort Eagles are now a Class 3A team, but the competition will still be stiff for the Seahawks in Region 7-4A. But if the stellar line can lead the way and Bayes takes a step forward in his junior year, the Seahawks will be a tough out for any Lowcountry squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2021 Results (3-7, 2-3) Lost SCHSL First Round</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/3 at Lower Richland (L 6-35)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/10 at Lake Marion (W 27-6)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/18 at Jenkins (GA) (L 7-28)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/24 at Wade Hampton (L 24-28)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/1 at Beaufort (L 14-38)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/8 vs. Colleton County (W 34-6)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/15 vs. Bluffton (W 16-7)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/22 at James Island (L 7-28)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/29 vs. May River (L 16-33)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11/5 (First Round) at Aiken (L 8-25)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses to Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB Jaylen Sneed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Jayden Gilliam</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Evan Elliott</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB Chase McCracken</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DL Ryan Clark</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62f669c1efcad","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["139291"],"_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_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe rising junior has surged up the South Carolina rankings and can be even better in 2022. u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='139291' first='Braylen' last='Kitty']u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e has excellent strength and footwork to perform at the line of scrimmage and is motivated to perform his best on every snap. A force on the line who plays well beyond his years, Kitty will be a massive difference maker for a young and promising Seahawk offense.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["262573"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='262573' first='Chris' last='Marable']u003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e dominated his South Carolina competition last season and should be in line for a memorable senior year. He was the rock of the Seahawks' defensive line, making 62 tackles and even adding an interception along the way. Marable plays relentlessly on the field and will be a potent run-stuffer for the Seahawks this year. He's already committed to Wake Forest and will look to lead his teammates on the island this fall before heading to Winston-Salem.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Riley McCracken ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Hilton Head","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eIf you're looking for a breakout star for this year's Seahawk team, look no further than wide receiver u003c/spanu003eu003cbu003eRiley McCrackenu003c/bu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e. The rising senior is having an outstanding preseason and possesses the quickness and the height to make big plays down the field. He's already developed a connection with Bayes and should be targeted often on deep routes down the field. With the strength and power to break tackles, the ‘Hawks would love to get the ball in McCracken's hands often. u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-6511d752a9524"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>More Names To Know&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Owen Bayes 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/LB Carter Saleeby 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/CB [player_tooltip player_id='1013024' first='Troy' last='Timko'] 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR Jake Huggins 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Schedule/ Games To Circle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/19 vs. Battery Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/26 at Claxton (GA)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/2 at Beaufort&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/9 at Wilson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/16 vs. Wade Hampton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/30 vs. Bluffton*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't get any bigger than the Bridge Bowl. Hilton Head High has won three straight in the rivalry series and will look to add a fourth win in a row on its home field. This year's game may be the toughest in a while, as new Bluffton head coach Hayden Gregory and a Bobcat team loaded with weapons will test the Seahawks on every aspect of their game. The atmosphere of this rivalry is always electric, making for a memorable night with playoff implications on the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/7 vs. Colleton County*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/14 at Lucy Beckham*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/21 vs. James Island*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot to be excited about with this year's James Island Trojans, and the Seahawks will be in for a challenging home contest against a team with talent and experience across the field. Hilton Head's defense will need to deliver against a loaded Trojan offense led by highly-touted quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91365' first='Braxton' last='Scott']</strong> and receiver <strong>Wushi Ravenel</strong>. We could see some fireworks from both teams with a pair of exciting offenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/28 at May River*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->