By Jeff Moeller Contributing Writer Hilton Head - Head coach Doug McFadden begins his third season at the helm of the Hilton Head Prep Dolphins' program with some reasonable expectations. Even though his team produced three wins in each of the first two seasons, the Dolphins were in the post season. In fact, they advanced to the second round last season in the SCISA Region 2 Section 1 bracket. But McFadden , who previously was an assistant at Colgate , knows his aspirations have to be tempered with the loss of 10 seniors. The Dolphins lost four starters from their line. So far this season, the Dolphins have seen the results of a rebuild. They began the season with losses to Colleton Prep (50-6), St. Andrew’s (48-6), and Cross (56-8). They are scheduled to host Beaufort Academy Sept. 4. McFadden is taking it step-by-step. The Dolphins have seven freshmen, two sophomores, and an eighth-grader on their limited roster. “We have 19 players and are extremely young,” stressed McFadden . “I lost 10 seniors from last year who had the majority of our stats.” The Dolphins have three returning starters in junior center/defensive lineman Tuggle Daly , junior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Cooper Hofmann , and senior running back Oliver Barricks . Along with Daly, Hofmann, and Barricks , senior defensive lineman/tight end Kaden Jackson returns on defense. Sophomore Cole Rogers has taken over at quarterback. Others expected to be contributors in the backfield are seniors running back/defensive lineman Quinn Strauss , running back/defensive back Casey Signorello , and eighth-grader wide receiver/defensive back Finley Thompson . Daly will anchor the line, and he will be joined by newcomers freshman Aidan McElveen and sophomore Roby Horner at tackles, freshman Britt Gunzel and Hofmann at guard. Junior Cody Wilbert will handle the kicking duties. Among those who can make an impact are junior wide receiver/running back/linebacker Ramsey Stanyard , junior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Barrosa-Ferrerira Pietro , and freshman running back/defensive back Henry Burbage and wide receiver/tight end/linebacker Peyton Marra . McFadden is confident his budding squad can adjust. Blake Henry , a former college lineman, will handle the offense, and John Britschge will guide the defense. “It’s a matter of getting the young kids to a point where they are comfortable,” stated McFadden . "In the beginning, everything was faster and bigger. They have to realize whatever they did in middle school, they can do the same thing and even better in high school.” He is optimistic that his returnees can benefit from their postseason experiences. The Dolphins avenged a 42-27 loss to Calhoun Academy two years ago with a 27-26 victory last year in the first round of the playoffs. Their season ended with a 34-33 loss to Pee Dee Academy. “Some of these kids have been to the postseason,” added McFadden . “It really comes down to confidence. We came back after we got trounced (against Calhoun Academy) and beat a good football team. “They have to realize that they can do this and be successful. We just have to stay focused and work on getting better and competing for four quarters. Our outlook is to just get better game after game.”

The Hilton Head Prep girls soccer and baseball programs enter the 2026 campaign looking to defend the state championships won last spring.

Some of action in the SCISA Basketball tournament so far!

 By David Shelton Senior Writer Hilton Head – At the rate things are going, Hilton Head Prep may need a new, bigger trophy case to memorialize their continued run of athletic success. Athletic Director Shon Hardy was quite pleased with the efforts of the school’s athletes as Hilton Head Prep contended for multiple state championships during the 2024-25 school year. In several sports, not only did Prep contend but they also won state championships. Among those championship teams were girls tennis, boys basketball, boys golf, baseball and girls soccer. The girls soccer program won its third consecutive state title, as did the boys basketball team. The boys golf team won the Class AAA title earlier this spring. Cade Kriscunas was the state medalist, shooting 139 over the 36-hole event. Max Diamond shot 150 and Jeff Adams and Tag Graziano each shot 155. Nick Kupper shot 168 over two days. At the year-end athletic banquet for winter and spring sports, Diamond received the Most Improved award and Graziano received the Coach’s Award. Kriscunas was tabbed the Most Valuable Player. In girls soccer, the most outstanding player was Courtney Campbell and sharing the Coach’s award were Callah Dando and Sophia Schlieman . “From the first day we get on the field, winning a state championship is the focus,” coach Risa McMillan said . “This is what it all comes down to.” Calvin Middleton was named most improved on the baseball team. Jackson Stanyard was the most outstanding player and Brody Hausher earned the Coach’s award. This year’s state title was the first in school history after several near misses. “We don’t have elite D1 talent from top to bottom. We’re just a gritty bunch of guys from Hilton Head and the Lowcountry who fought tooth and nail and earned it,” coach Chris Wells said. For sailing, Ella Jones received the coach’s award. The boys soccer team advanced to the state finals before suffering a heart-breaking defeat. Brandon Moore was the most improved player and Aden Parsick was most outstanding player. Tony Fernandez received the coach’s award. Sharing most improved honors in boys tennis were Cole Mustard and Gabe Arnold . Wyatt Harmer was most outstanding player and Clayton Emmert received the coach’s award. Softball is the newest varsity program at Prep. The team honored three players with the coach’s award. The honorees were Jenna Oremus, Gabrielle McFadden and Bella Johnson . In track and field, Matthew Moe was most improved on the boys team and Levi Wright was most outstanding . Casey Signorello received the coach’s award. Sarah Elizabeth Phillips was most outstanding in girls track. In basketball, Courtney Campbell was the most outstanding player on the girls team. Sophie Moe was the most improved player, and Erin Cleary received the coach’s award. The boys basketball team handed out only coach’s awards. Recipients included Alston Adams, Billy Barron, Tyler Britschge, Connor Campbell, Luke Eanes, Finn Gregory, Ty Harpring, Brendan Moore and Jake Sheahan .

HHP rallies from 3-1 deficit with 4-run 6th to win program's first ever baseball championship