On game day, it’s usually the quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers who bask in the glory.
They’re the ones whose success is quantifiable in the moment — the yardage totals appear next their names in the box scores and recaps, and all eyes are on them when they score touchdowns.
We celebrate them. But we also celebrate the guys who make contributions that don’t show up as directly on the stat sheet — the offensive linemen who open the holes and keep the QBs upright, the defensive standouts who bend but don’t break, and the special teams contributors who help swing close games in their teams’ favor.
We call them the Unsung Heroes, and here they are for Week 1 of the high school football season:
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• Luke Bond, BLHS — Bobcats’ offensive lineman had four pancake blocks and did not allow a sack in 42 pass attempts while also contributing on defense in a 44-41 overtime loss to Screven County (Ga.).
• Robert Hall, HHCA — Senior lineman started at center and made five tackles on defense in his first varsity game as the Eagles lost 46-22 at Thomas Heyward.
• Dalton Hayes, THA — Rebels’ right tackle graded out at 88%, helping pave the way for THA’s 326 rushing yards in a 46-22 win over HHCA.
• Burak Henderson, HHP — A junior two-way lineman, Henderson graded out at 80% on offense and collected five tackles on the other side of the ball in a 37-27 win over Memorial Day.
• Nick Magnin, HHIHS — The Seahawks’ ironman in the trenches started both ways, making four tackles on defense and helping HHIHS roll up over 400 total yards on offense in a 38-13 win over Savannah High. He’s also the long snapper and made eight perfect snaps on the night.
• Jarius Gordon, THA — Senior defensive lineman racked up eight tackles (two for loss) and one sack in the Rebels’ 46-22 win over Hilton Head Christian Academy.
• Jeremiah Orr, RHHS — The Jaguars’ senior left tackle got his season off to a strong start in a 40-14 loss to Marlboro County.
• Chance Stephens, WB — In his first game action as the Warriors’ long snapper, Stephens was accurate on every snap, including Henry Tome’s 30-yard field goal that proved to be the game-winner in a 9-6 victory at Battery Creek.
• Toby Strawderman, BHS — The Eagles’ center graded out at 82% in a 37-21 loss at A.C. Flora.
• Elijah Thompson, HHIHS — Senior linebacker anchored a strong defensive showing by the Seahawks, collecting eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack in a 38-13 drubbing of Savannah High.