Peduzzi not happy with Hilton Head Christian football

   By Dennis Brunson

           hssr.com Associate Editor

           Bluffton – Hilton Head Christian Academy football head coach Ron Peduzzi knew there could be some growing pains for the 2024 edition. After all, the Eagles only had two starters returning on either side of the ball from the 2023 SCISA AAA state championship team and are starting five freshmen.

           HHCA was off to a 3-3 start, but had struggled – especially defensively – in its last two games. It lost to defending AAAA state champion and SCISA juggernaut Hammond 55-21 on September 20 before falling to Pinewood Prep 60-20 in its Region 1 opener on September 27.

           “For starters, we haven’t played very good,” said Peduzzi, who has guided Hilton Head Christian to three state crowns over the past four years. “The last two weeks we played two very good opponents and we did not match their passion and intensity.

           “We do have some injuries, but that isn’t an acceptable excuse. We just did not play very good the last two weeks with no intensity. Again, there’s nothing like game-time experience, and we are getting an experience.”

           The Eagles’ next game is at First Baptist on October 11. Though First Baptist was just 1-4, Peduzzi knows his team has to perform better.

           “I see them playing hard and I see some very good players,” Peduzzi said of the Hurricanes. “They’ve got some guys who can play so we need to get our act together.”

           The HHCA offense again revolves around its quarterback and this year it’s junior Reid McCollum. He has completed 123 of 190 passes for 1,545 yards and 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. McCollum is far and away the leading rusher with 524 yards and eight scores on 91 carries.

           “Reid has played good at times and not as good other times,” Peduzzi said. “I’m sure he wants to play better. He’s definitely the main catalyst to our offensive team.”

           Hilton Head Christian’s top pass catcher is sophomore Joseph Houpt with 40 catches for 522 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Harry Cunningham has 34 catches for 439 yards and a team high six scores, and senior Harrison Arnhold has 22 catches for 406 yards and a score.

           Sophomore running back Kres Langhals has 16 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown to go with 75 rushing yards and two scores on 23 carries. Freshman Sam Strum has 10 catches for 131 yards.

           Senior linebacker Wes Helmstetter is far and away the tackles leader on defense with 58 to go with two tackles for loss. Senior defensive end  Harper Mitchell has a team high four TFLs, while junior linebacker Roman Colella, sophomore linebacker Liam White and freshman linebacker Hayne Burden all have three TFLs.

           Junior cornerback Colin Hetzel has two interceptions.

           As far as the kicking game goes, Peduzzi has only the highest of accolades for Ian Kelly.

           “Our kicker/punter has been advertised as one of the best in the state, and he should be looked upon as one of the best in the state,” the head coach said.

           Kelly has kicked the football off 29 times and 22 of them went for touchbacks. As a punter, he is averaging 38.4 yards on 13 attempts. Four of the kicks have finished inside the opposition’s 20-yard line.

           As a placekicker, Kelly is 20-for-20 on extra points and is 7 of 9 on field goal attempts for 41 points. His longest field goal is 43 yards.