2023 Preview: Hilton Head Seahawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilton Head Seahawks weren't far away from making some noise in 2022. Just two losses decided by five total points separated BJ Payne's squad from a winning record in Region 7-4A. But with their defensive star back combined with a rock-solid offensive core, the Seahawks have it in them to leap up the ranks this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2022 Results (3-7, 1-4) Did Not Qualify for SCHSL 4A playoffs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448980' first='Shaikh' last='Thompson'], DE, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A breakout star in the state last season, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448980' first='Shaikh' last='Thompson']</strong> has seen his stock surge after a stellar junior year followed by an eye-popping spring. Thompson's explosiveness and hustle stood out in his junior campaign, and he's continued to improve his build and strength on and off the field. He impressed again this past spring with his quick feet and athleticism, taking top honors in the Palmetto Combine Series at Woodland High School. He's well on his way to continuing in the line of several BJ Payne defensive standouts over the last few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013024' first='Troy' last='Timko'], RB, 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an opportunity in hand to take the reins at running back, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013024' first='Troy' last='Timko']</strong> quickly seized it for the Seahawks in his sophomore season. Timko's electric power running provided a tremendous spark for Payne's offense last year, rushing for 1,100 yards and 11 scores. His excellent strength and balance help him break tackles and find extra yards. He'll be the go-to man out of the backhand for the Seahawks in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464809' first='Jackson' last='Bibee'], QB, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With former teammate [player_tooltip player_id='790404' first='Owen' last='Bayes'] off to fellow Region 7-4A school Bluffton, it appears to be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464809' first='Jackson' last='Bibee'] </strong>taking the top quarterback spot this year for the Seahawks. Splitting time with Bayes in 2022, Bibee took a big step forward with his poise and quick instincts during his reps. His strong build at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds has helped him withstand pressure and find targets downfield. He's got some strong potential to take another step forward with the clear number one role in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360171' first='Connor' last='Wiendl'], LB, 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multi-sport phenom for the Seahawks, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360171' first='Connor' last='Wiendl'] </strong>should be a key factor in the success of Payne's defense in 2023. The senior veteran is an excellent instinctive player with good quickness and decisiveness at the snap. With a strong blend of agility and physicality, Wiendl can anticipate his opponent's movements to make stops behind the line of scrimmage. His work ethic off the field is as noticeable as it is on it, translating his strength training to making textbook tackles in key moments. Wiendl is a grinder who has fit in well on BJ Payne's defense and should shine even brighter in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16248937/636d4baed21ade0c381f4467' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b6cc1c7e44b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Marable, DT – </strong>Now getting set to begin his freshman year at Wake Forest, Marable was a tone-setter on the defensive line and routinely swallowed up any action up the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley McCracken, WR- </strong>The tall and explosive target was able to stretch the field last year and will be missed in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Holmes, DT, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Holmes</strong> is a young defensive tackle who can take on multiple roles and impress with his hustle on the field. He spent a good amount of time on special teams last year, picking up a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allen Green, DE, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allen Green</strong> made a splash in 2022 at defensive end for the Seahawks, showing off his excellent strength and pursuit at the edge of the line. He's already starting to play like a veteran in Payne's system and will be impactful in stopping the run and creating pressure for opposing quarterbacks this coming year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tajae Wright, WR, 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quick wideout with stellar athleticism, <strong>Tajae Wright </strong>could end up being a difference-maker in the slot or even out wide by year's end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->