This year’s season of Hillcrest Rams Football kicked off Friday night at Laurens High School, as the Rams faced off with the Laurens Raiders and won in a 16-0 game. This was a fantastic opener for the Rams and an auspicious performance by the team. Rampage reached out to the Rams football head coach, Coach Bennet Swygert, for an interview. Swygert informed Rampage about updates on the team and what to expect this season. The returning players to Ram football this year are Caleb Sutton (quarterback), Bryce Rainwater (left tackle), who has committed to Furman University, Antrez Nance (defensive lineman), Donavan Briggs (defensive lineman), Caleb Constantino (linebacker), Weston Willis (wide receiver), Jo Sanders (tight end), and DJ Henderson (linebacker). New additions to the team include Christian Henderson, who transferred from Greenville High School, and PJ Miller, among others.
When asked about key changes since last year, Coach Swygert stated, “We’ve got a new offensive coordinator, Patrick Johnson, a new offensive line coach, a new receivers coach, John Alexander, a new C-Team staff member, Ben Miller…, and officially we got a Hillcrest Alumn, Garrett Sayegh, joining us in official capacity this year.” The team is excited to welcome and work with these new players, coaches, and staff members, along with returning athletes. When asked about what the goals of the team were for this year, Swygert stated that the team’s goals consisted of winning Greenville County, winning the rival game with Mauldin High School, and winning the region and state championships. The head coach replied, “We work hard for what we do, so anything other than, like, our highest goal is kinda hard to sell.” To Coach Swygert, a successful year would be contending for the region championship, and being one of the teams that people care to watch late in the season. What would be successful is having Hillcrest be one of the relevant teams in the region and state championships.
When asked about the team’s main focuses and preparations for the game at Laurens that occurred last Friday night, the coach pointed out attention to detail, travel time, scheduling, game details, and being very detail-oriented overall, “You’d be amazed at how many simple errors you can make,” Swygert stated; so being on top of details and all the little things really matters in preparation for Friday night games. Finally, when the coach was asked what message he would like to send to fans, he responded saying, “Our kids have worked really, really hard is what I’m saying, for pretty much since the start of 2024; so just come out and see them, come out and support them. Not just varsity, if you can’t catch a varsity game, catch a sub-varsity game…Just come out and try to support and hopefully we can play some decent football and give you an atmosphere y’all will enjoy.” With lots to look forward to in the 2024 fall season of Hillcrest football, all eyes are on the team and coaches to try and get the Rams to the South Carolina high school state championship!
