On March 5, an unthinkable tragedy struck the Lowcountry and John Houpt’s Bluffton High School football team. Senior DJ Fields, an amazing leader and individual on and off the gridiron, was fatally shot while driving his car. On Friday, Houpt and the Bobcats will prepare to take on South Florence, a game that will mean so much more than any before. This week, and all season long, the Bobcats will play for DJ.
As the Bobcats get ready to hit the road and battle the Bruins, a sense of optimism continues to grow on a squad filled with promising talent. Led by spectacular junior wideout Jaylin Linder, Bluffton has developed a group of athletic and explosive receivers ready for a monster year. Linder put together an incredible breakout campaign in 2020, showcasing his impressive quickness and outstanding hands in several trips to the end zone. There will be blazing speed all over the field from the Bluffton receiving corps, as track star Camauri Simmons will look to burn past the defense alongside a quick, agile, and strong Robert Brown.
But it will be up to a pair of unproven quarterbacks to get the ball to these dangerous playmakers. Max Vonhohenstraeten should start the opener, and his improved arm and accuracy after a strong summer caught the eyes of his coaches. If the junior can elevate his play to a stellar level this season, Bluffton’s offense could quickly catch fire as the season goes on. The Bobcats lost the most reliable piece of the offense from last year in running back Kylan Simmons, but junior Roderick Buxton has shown several positive signs and will look to emulate Simmons’ craft after watching him over the past few years. His success will rely on a young offensive line, with four new faces surrounding senior Chase Wilfong. The blocking will have to improve for the run game to thrive and for this offense to move the football consistently down the field.
Houpt knows that the defense will also need to improve going into the new season. The line is led by senior veteran DJ Aiken, who will be a tremendous anchor to a group that eyes to make a big step forward. Aiken’s knowledge of the game over the past few years has improved by leaps and bounds, and his fantastic leverage and strong frame will set the tone for a promising run defense. Tyler Ford should be an important factor in the secondary and will be asked to lead the way with his impressive closing speed and tackling abilities while giving max effort on every play.
DJ Fields will always be a part of the Bobcat family, and each player will wear a special sticker during the season to honor a phenomenal young man who dedicated his life to putting others first while always showing his big smile. His jersey remains in the locker room, and the squad will play the season with black helmets while challenging themselves to live like DJ on and off the field. He always had a winning attitude and belief every day, and Houpt continues to remind his team to adopt that same mentality day in and day out. With the emergence of several talented players on a team determined to earn its success on the field, the Bobcats have a real shot to surprise us all and make some real noise in a difficult Region 7-4A.
BLUFFTON HIGH BOBCATS FOOTBALL
Coach: John Houpt
Record at BLHS: 14-21 (5th season)
2020 record: 0-5, 0-5 region
Top returners: WR Jaylin Linder, RB/WR Camauri Simmons, OL Chase Wilfong
Notable losses: RB Kylan Simmons, OL Luke Bond
Breakout candidates: RB Roderick Buxton, WR KJ Frazier, DE Devon Grant, DB Adarion Ransburg, LB Ja’Quinn Williams, LB Jeremiah Curry
BURNING QUESTION
Can an emerging defense put it all together in 2021?
The Bobcats’ offense has the capability of hanging with the region’s best, but the defense must do its part to keep Bluffton afloat against a gauntlet of potent offensive units. Aiken’s strong play on the line will be front and center, but a handful of others will be expected to perform alongside the senior standout in order to make some game-changing stops. That breakout complement could be sophomore Devon Grant, who possesses terrific length just like Aiken. If he can put in the work at the line and consistently shed blocks with his impressive size, Bluffton’s run defense could be a handful to deal with for region foes. Linebackers Ja’Quinn Williams and Jeremiah Curry have shown some excellent potential in the preseason, and Houpt hopes that the first few non-region games will give more opportunities for the duo to elevate their play. Adarion Ransburg has become a budding star at free safety and will be counted on to use his superior athleticism, elite route knowledge, and an impressive football IQ to perform for a Bluffton defense in need of another go-to playmaker. The pieces are all there, and the hope is to get the group clicking by the time region play rolls in.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jaylin Linder, WR
Linder was a beast out wide for the Bobcats last year, and he has the tools and skills to make his junior year even better. His incredible burst off the line and terrific route-running instincts made him an unsolvable challenge for anyone in 2020. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to elevate his craft and the group around him. With the unstoppable speed and motor of Simmons, the strength and quickness of Brown, and the height of senior KJ Frazier, this receiving tandem could be a frightening group for anyone to face down the road.
Ja’Quinn Williams, LB
The success of a defense seems to always start with a strong linebacker, and Houpt will be counting on Williams to translate his fantastic work at practice to the Friday night lights this fall. He possesses elite quickness and has developed a phenomenal ability to read what the offense is running and take action. The junior has a winning personality on and off the field and should become a key contributor stopping the run, anchoring the unit’s coverage on pass plays, and leading his teammates in the biggest moments. With an impressive sophomore in Curry by his side, Williams should cultivate a skilled and versatile presence in the heart of the Bobcat defense.
REGION AND BEYOND
The Beaufort Eagles look to be the favorites to take home the region title for the third straight year, but the next several teams in the pecking order remain to be determined. May River appears to be next with a promising young core, but don’t count out the hard-working culture being built at Bluffton High. Houpt has done a wonderful job growing this program, and these Bobcats are hungry for a bounce-back season after a tough winless campaign in 2020. But Bluffton fought hard in every game and was not far away from picking up several victories. If the blocking can help Vonhohenstraeten and a talented receiving group excel on offense and the defense puts all the pieces together, the Bobcats will certainly be in the conversation for a playoff berth and a high region finish.
SCHEDULE
8/20 — at South Florence
8/27 — at Bamberg-Ehrhardt
9/3 — at Airport
9/10 — vs. Thomas Heyward
9/17 — vs. Wade Hampton
10/1 — at Colleton County*
10/8 — vs. May River*
10/15 — at Hilton Head*
10/22 — vs. Beaufort*
10/29 — at James Island*
By Wes Kerr / Photo by Justin Jarrett