A Gritty First Half
Hammond struck first with a rushing touchdown in the opening quarter, but with one minute remaining, James Richardson ’26 drilled a 25-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7–3. Another Skyhawk touchdown midway through the second quarter widened the gap, but after a missed extra point, Richardson responded again—this time with a 36-yard field goal with 1:16 left in the half—sending the Highlanders into the locker room trailing 13–6 but very much alive.

Defense Defines the Third Quarter
The third quarter turned into a defensive slugfest. Julian Hughes ’26 came up with a key interception, and a wave of Highlander defenders delivered stop after stop. On offense, quarterback Patrick Belk ’26 found Keon McKinley ’27 and Charlie Hudson ’26 for crucial gains that set the tone heading into the final quarter.

A Fourth Quarter for the Ages
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Belk launched a perfect 38-yard strike to JaMonie Batts ’26, and Richardson’s extra point tied the game at 13-13. What followed was a tense, back-and-forth battle of field position and defensive grit. With under four minutes left, the Highlander defense delivered once again, giving the offense the ball for one final drive. Belk marched the team downfield, highlighted by a remarkable, deflected pass hauled in by Hudson to keep the drive alive deep in Hammond territory. After a Skyhawk penalty and tough runs from Hughes and Belk, the Highlanders turned to their kicker once more.

With 1.5 seconds remaining, and after a perfect snap by Nicholson Deese ’26 and hold by Henry Morris ’26, Richardson calmly sent a 22-yard field goal through the uprights. The ensuing kickoff fizzled after a series of laterals, sealed by a tackle from Heyward Belser ’28, and the celebration began. Students, coaches, and Highlander Nation stormed the field, reveling in a program-defining victory.

“You Worked for This. You Deserved This.”

After the game, Head Coach Tymere Zimmerman addressed his team with pride:
“I remember telling y’all when we finished last year—if we put the work in, everything will be different. This ain’t luck. You worked for this. You deserved this.”

A Tough Ending, but a Season to Celebrate
On November 21, the Highlanders fell to Northwood Academy in the SCISA 4A State Championship, concluding the season with a 9–4 record. Though the championship didn’t end in their favor, the team achieved something remarkable—returning to the state’s biggest stage for the first time since 2009 and giving the Heathwood community a playoff run to remember.

A Bright Future Ahead
The 2025 season will be remembered for its grit, its breakthroughs, and its unforgettable semifinal victory. From competing in a college stadium to uniting Highlander Nation week after week, this team set the foundation for an exciting future.

The future is bright for Heathwood Hall football.