Aiken, September 8, 2025

News Summary

Aiken High School’s football team suffered their first defeat of the 2025 season against Hilton Head Island, with a final score of 36-17. The Hornets struggled early in the game, giving up 29 points in the first quarter. Despite a touchdown run by quarterback Tanner Padgett and a strong kick from Hugo Diaz, Aiken was unable to recover from three critical turnovers. Looking forward, the team is set to face Lugoff-Elgin in hopes of bouncing back from this setback.

Aiken

Aiken High School’s football team suffered its first loss of the 2025 season, falling to Hilton Head Island by a score of 36-17. This defeat marked a significant setback for the Hornets after starting the season with a 2-0 record, their best start in 15 years.

The game began in an unfavorable fashion for Aiken, with Hilton Head Island scoring 29 points in the first quarter alone. The Hornets struggled to regain their footing throughout the match, compounded by their misfortunes with the football, committing three turnovers during the game.

The Hornets managed to put points on the board when quarterback Tanner Padgett executed a successful touchdown run. Additionally, in a noteworthy play before halftime, Hugo Diaz kicked a strong 36-yard field goal, further demonstrating Aiken’s determination to stay competitive.

However, Hilton Head Island showcased a strong performance on both sides of the ball, with quarterback Derrick Raniszewski passing for 144 yards and notably connecting with Jeremiah Walters for a long 92-yard touchdown pass. The standout defensive moment came when Jayvin Risher intercepted a pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown, cementing Hilton Head’s lead.

In the second half, Aiken attempted to claw back into the game, driving down to Hilton Head’s 5-yard line before suffering a crucial fumble that stalled their momentum. The Hornets’ running backs, Michael Francis and Darius Walker, each contributed 57 rushing yards, showing the team’s effort despite the circumstances.

Aiken’s defense struggled to contain Hilton Head’s potent rushing attack, which accrued a total of 225 yards on 34 carries. While the home crowd continued to rally behind the Hornets, recognizing their efforts and fighting spirit, the loss illustrates a critical lesson for the team moving forward.

First-year head coach Steve Hibbitts highlighted the importance of learning from the mistakes made during the game. He emphasized that the team needs to capitalize on the lessons learned in order to improve in their upcoming games.

Looking ahead, Aiken High is set to face Lugoff-Elgin in their next matchup and will aim to bounce back from this challenging defeat. The team remains focused on regaining their momentum and improving their performance as the season progresses.

Game Summary

• Final Score: Aiken High 17, Hilton Head Island 36
• Aiken Record: 2-1
• Key Players:
  • Tanner Padgett – Quarterback, 1 touchdown
  • Michael Francis – Running Back, 57 rushing yards
  • Darius Walker – Running Back, 57 rushing yards
  • Hugo Diaz – Kicker, 36-yard field goal
• Hilton Head Stats:
  • Derrick Raniszewski – Quarterback, 144 passing yards
  • Jayvin Risher – 55-yard interception return for a touchdown
  • Jeremiah Walters – 92-yard touchdown reception

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Additional Resources

• Post and Courier: Hilton Head Island at Aiken
• WRDW: Aiken High Falls to Hilton Head Island
• Aiken Standard: Aiken Falls to Hilton Head Island
• MaxPreps: Football Recap – Hilton Head Island Wins Against Aiken
• WJBF: Aiken Football’s Search for New Kickers
• Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
• Google Search: Aiken High School Football
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Aiken
• Google News: Aiken Hornets Football

Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD

The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.