Last-second field goal sends Gray Collegiate past Hilton Head Island

One of the best seasons in Hilton Head Island football in more than 30 years came to a dramatic end on Friday.

Weston Mims kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to lift Gray Collegiate over Hilton Head Island, 31-28, in the Class 4A Lower State semifinals.

With the win, the War Eagles travel to defending state champion South Florence next week. The loss ends the Seahawks’ season at 11-2. The 11 wins were the most for the program since 1990, which also was the last time HHI made it to a state championship game.

Hilton Head Island also won a region championship for the first time since 1990.

Running back/linebacker Thaddeus Czarnecki had another big game for HHI. The junior had had three touchdowns, including a 95-yard kickoff return for the Seahawks, who trailed 28-14 at halftime.

But the Seahawks’ defense turned things around in the second half as they were able to chip away at the War Eagles’ lead. HHI got within 28-21 on Jeremiah Walters’ 34-yard halfback pass to QB Derek Raniszewski on fourth down.

Walters led the team with six catches for 66 yards. Raniszewski was 9-of-16 passing for 130 yards and also rushed for 46 yards.

The Seahawks tied it on Czarnecki’s 5-yard run with 1:35 left. Czarnecki finished with 214 all-purpose yards.

Gray responded, and freshman quarterback Xavier Wright hit Corey Gleaton on a 37-yard pass to reach the 3-yard line with three seconds left and set up the game-winning field goal.

Trevon Williamson rushed for 231 yards and a pair of touchdown runs for Gray. He also caught three passes for 22 yards. His 19-yard TD run put Gray up 28-14 with 1:29 left in the second quarter.

Wright had a TD pass to Royce Williamson and also ran in a score. The freshman was 16-of-29 passing for 250 yards. He also rushed five times for 30 yards. Gleaton led the team with eight catches for 131 yards and also picked off a pass on defense.

This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 7:30 AM.