Dave Adams certainly wasn’t looking forward to the day that he would lose his phenom duo of Carson King and Tommy Stauffer. But with some new faces added to the mix, he thinks this 2021 Hilton Head Prep group is up for the challenge.
For the second straight season, a new starting quarterback will enter the fray in Sea Pines. This time, it’s senior Tristan Bonomo. Similar to Harrison Green, who was tasked with replacing the great Stone McDonald, Bonomo will be relied upon to be foremost a game manager for a new-look offense. He’ll look to use his impressive abilities in the run game to rack up yards while making good reads when he’s in the pocket.
Bonomo won’t have last year’s dynamite running back duo of King and Stauffer, but he will have two others who will look to emulate the strong ground attack of a year ago. Junior running back and defensive end Loncelle Daley figures to use his stellar speed to take over the role Stauffer played, and incoming transfer Jake Rodney-Brown should step in and thrive as a powerful fullback. Adams won’t expect Bonomo to make deep downfield plays with his arm right away, but we could expect to see some play-action to set up quick throws along with checkdowns to his two main playmakers. The offensive line’s performance will be paramount to giving Bonomo and his weapons opportunities to move the chains.
Daley will also be asked to lead on the defensive side of the ball as a seasoned veteran at defensive end. Rodney-Brown should thrive at middle linebacker and add to Daley’s excellent run-stopping abilities. Doubling as a quarterback and defensive lineman, Bonomo’s speed and explosiveness will also help a thin and young unit. The secondary should make a major improvement this season, as an experienced and speedy Gunnar Askeland will be coupled by a pair of transfers in cornerback AJ Barger and free safety Sean Graham.
A standout in Atlanta for the Marist School, Rodney-Brown comes to Sea Pines to help step in and lead the Dolphins on both sides of the ball. The senior’s experience should bring an immediate impact for a defense with holes at the linebacking position. When he first set foot on campus, Adams immediately saw him as the next King, a powerful runner who has the strength to make plays all across the field. Expect Rodney-Brown to serve as the lead blocker for Daley out of the backfield while being a force near the goal line and even catch some short passes from Bonomo. He’s a versatile athlete who should do wonders for a Dolphin team in need of playmakers.
The pieces are there for a defense that should challenge the best playmakers in a difficult region. Outstanding senior kicker Trevor Weldon will return for his fifth season at the helm of the special teams duties and has been consistently ranked as one of the best at his position in the state of South Carolina.
The depth and lack of continuity will be a concern, but the talent is certainly there across the board. If Rodney-Brown can make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball and Bonomo performs well under center, the Dolphins will be a challenging test for their SCISA foes and push for a playoff spot.
HILTON HEAD PREP DOLPHINS FOOTBALL
Coach: Dave Adams
Record at HHP: 20-28-1 (6th season)
2020 record: 3-6-1, 2-3 region (SCISA 2A 1st round)
Top returners: QB Tristan Bonomo, K Trevor Weldon, RB/DE Loncelle Daley
Notable losses: RB Tommy Stauffer, RB Carson King, QB Harrison Green
Breakout candidates: RB/LB Jake Rodney-Brown, RB/DE Loncelle Daley, QB Tristan Bonomo, WR/LB Christian Epke-Bueso
BURNING QUESTION
Can a limited roster step up to lift the Dolphins to a winning season?
In the sport of football, there’s certainly a disadvantage in not having the same depth compared to other teams. Because of the limited number of players available, many will be forced to play on both sides of the ball, which makes the job that much tougher. But Adams is prepared and optimistic about his group’s makeup. With just 20 players currently on the roster, he expects the majority to take on multiple positions. He’s expecting a strong season from Christian Epke-Bueso, who will be an important piece at linebacker and wide receiver. Nick Rose will need to carry his weight on both the offensive and defensive lines, and baseball star Phoenix Betancourt has the potential for a standout season at linebacker and tight end. It will be a daunting task for all 20 on the roster, but the players have shown their amazing dedication to the program and certainly possess the hunger and drive to succeed. If the Dolphins can stay healthy, they’ll have the opportunity and the talent to rewrite the script and pick up some impressive wins.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Loncelle Daley, RB/DE
Daley has become the leader of Adams’ defensive unit, and he’ll look to captain a young and improving group in 2021. The junior defensive end will be a major factor on both sides this season, complementing his strong play on defense with what will be his first year at running back. He’ll have big shoes to fill in the new role, as he replaces the stellar Tommy Stauffer as the primary runner. After a successful summer in the weight room, Daley should continue his excellent abilities shedding blocks and stuffing the run. The transition to running back should be a quick one with his fantastic speed, but he’ll need to work on his ball security as he prepares for opening day. The junior has shown his outstanding athleticism and explosiveness on the football field and basketball court for the Dolphins, and he should have a busy and successful fall down in Sea Pines.
Trevor Weldon, K
It’s very rare that you see a five-year kicker at the high school level, but Weldon has done it for Hilton Head Prep. The senior has showcased a phenomenal leg during his Dolphin tenure, making some impressive kicks from distance while consistently nailing the all-important PATs. Despite playing through a broken collarbone last season, Weldon was flawless from the extra point mark and also took care of kickoffs and punts. He wasn’t too far away from hitting a 50-yarder last year in the rivalry game against Hilton Head Christian. With interest from big-time Division I schools including Appalachian State and Georgia Tech, Weldon should have a great opportunity to continue his career at the college level.
REGION AND BEYOND
Hilton Head Christian Academy looks to be the clear favorite in Region 1-2A once again, but the battle for the top spots could be very interesting. Orangeburg Prep has always been in the mix for the past few years, and Beaufort Academy should continue its momentum from a fantastic first year in 11-man ball. But the Dolphins have the players at the skill positions to be competitive against those squads and have upset the Eagles in the past. Although they might not have enough to topple their rivals, a spectacular year from Bonomo, Rodney-Brown, and Daley along with minimal injury issues could certainly be enough to battle for a top-three spot in the region.
SCHEDULE
8/20 — vs. John Paul II
8/27 — vs. Colleton Prep
9/10 — at St. Andrew’s
9/17 — vs. Thomas Heyward
9/24 — at Bethesda Academy
10/1 — vs. Beaufort Academy*
10/8 — at Orangeburg Prep*
10/15 — vs Northwood Academy*
10/22 — at John Paul II*
10/29 — vs Hilton Head Christian*
By Wes Kerr / Photo by Justin Jarrett
