The Dolphins have Three Returning Starters in Two Juniors and One Senior

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.”