Hanahan – The 2022 football season is one that Hanahan High fans and players would like to forget. After winning their first six of their first seven games, the Hawks faltered down the stretch with a three-game losing streak.
Head coach Art Craig was dismissed from his post in September and the Hawks managed to keep the ship afloat until the disastrous ending.
After the season, three of the program’s top players transferred to other area schools, choosing not to wait until Hanahan hired a new head coach. That new head coach is Milan Turner, who coached for more than two decades in Georgia. Turner has worked hard all spring and summer to rebuild the morale and confidence in the program.
Hanahan and Turner opened the 2023 season on a positive note, beating Georgetown, 45-34, in a week zero matchup. Turner has been pleased with how his team has persevered through the coaching transition.
“The kids have responded well to all of the changes,” Turner said. “We had a good summer. We have worked hard in the weightroom. They are good kids and they have been committed. Now we have to make all of that hard work translate on to the field and I am optimistic that we can do that.”
While breaking in a sophomore quarterback, Julius Hippenshiel, Turner plans to lean heavily on the most experienced offensive returner, senior running back Kevon Rivera. The 5-9, 215-pound Rivera will be a fourth-year varsity starter and has rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in his career.
Rivera exploded for 331 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the season-opening win over Georgetown,
“Kevon has been a great team leader and we plan to give him his carries,” Turner said. “He’s a physical runner and a really good running back. We think he can have a big year.”
Look for Dylan Crocker and Javatre Shepard to get carries as well. H-back Landon Gomes will be a factor in both the run and pass game. Receiver Dru Goldsmith returns from last season as well.
Two returning starters, seniors Jonathan Tumbri and Rhett Bagwell, will anchor the offensive line. Junior Antwan Mitchell, and sophomores Kalani Roberts and Tre Summers, are early season starters up front as well.
Contributing at tight end is a solid group that includes Gomes, Hunter Strader, Aiden Greenwald, Josh Amara and Nick Barrett.
Turner hopes to be physical on defense but that unit begins the season with very little experience. Several of the offensive linemen will rotate in along the defensive line. Strader will work at linebacker, along with Jay Meadows. Hunter Gomes is a first-year safety, along with Hayden Ortega and corner Taje Hartwell.
The kicking game should be solid with senior Eric Johnson returning as the starter.
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