Friday night in Anderson, South Carolina, feels different. It’s a specific kind of humidity, a specific kind of noise. If you’re standing near the fence at Jim Fraser Memorial Stadium, you aren't just watching a game. You're watching a machine.
TL Hanna High School football is basically a religion in this part of the Upstate. People talk about the Yellow Jackets like they're family members, mostly because, for many, they are. You've got grandfathers who played for the legendary Jim Fraser now watching their grandsons run the same hill. It’s deep. It’s generational. And honestly, it’s one of the most consistent programs in the entire state of South Carolina.
The Current State of the Hive
Let’s look at the numbers because they’re actually kind of wild. In the 2025 season, the Yellow Jackets finished with a 10-2 record. That isn't a fluke. Under Coach Jason Tone, this team has become a perennial 10-win threat. They went 7-0 in their region this past year. Clean sweep.
They finally hit a wall in the state quarterfinals against Indian Land. It was a 41-43 heartbreaker. One score. That’s the margin between a deep run and going home. But that’s the thing about TL Hanna High School football—they’re always there. They are always in the conversation when November rolls around.
The 2025 squad was a nightmare to defend. Why? Because they will run the ball down your throat until you beg them to stop. They averaged nearly 300 yards on the ground per game in some stretches. Emari Nance was a human highlight reel, putting up 15 total touchdowns. Then you had guys like Brock Cole and Elijah Grimes just punishing defenses play after play. It’s not flashy “air raid” stuff; it’s physical, old-school football that wears you out by the fourth quarter.
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Recent Seasonal Performance (2025)
- Overall Record: 10-2
- Region Record: 7-0 (Region 1-AAAAA Champions)
- Key Victory: A 49-20 blowout over rival Westside.
- Season Ender: 41-43 loss to Indian Land in the playoffs.
The Jason Tone Era
Jason Tone took over in 2017, and he’s basically built a fortress. He brought a specific kind of discipline that mirrors the great eras of the past. Before him, Jeff Herron had a massive 14-1 season in 2018, taking the team to the state championship game. Tone has kept 그 momentum alive.
The coaching staff doesn't just focus on the X's and O's. They’ve got this incredible field house—seriously, if you haven’t seen the McMillan Pazdan Smith designed facility, it’s better than some small college setups. It has a 40-yard-dash training hallway with bright turf. Opponent buses have to drive right past the weight room windows when they pull in. Talk about a power move. It tells the other team exactly how much work the Jackets have put in before the coin toss even happens.
More Than Just a Game: The Radio Legacy
You can’t mention TL Hanna High School football without talking about James "Radio" Kennedy. Most people know the Cuba Gooding Jr. movie, but for folks in Anderson, Radio was just... Radio. He was a fixture on that sideline from the mid-60s until he passed away in 2019.
He wasn't a mascot. He was the soul of the program. Coach Harold Jones and Radio showed the world what inclusion looks like long before it was a buzzword. Even now, years after his passing, that spirit of "being a junior forever" stays with the team. It’s a reminder that football is a tool for building community, not just a way to collect trophies.
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The Rivalry: Hanna vs. Westside
If you want to see Anderson divided, show up for the Westside game. It’s the "Electric City" showdown. In 2025, Hanna absolutely dominated, winning 49-20. According to the team's historian, Frank Alexander, that 49-point mark was a record for the most points Hanna ever put up against the Rams.
The all-time series lead sits at 48-20 in favor of Hanna. But don't let the record fool you. Westside won a state title recently too (2023), so the stakes have never been higher. When these two play, the records go out the window. It’s about bragging rights at the grocery store for the next 364 days.
From Yellow Jackets to the Big Leagues
Hanna produces athletes. Period. If you look at the roster of alumni, it’s a "who's who" of talent that has moved on to Saturday and Sunday football.
- Zacch Pickens: A defensive tackle who was a five-star recruit and went on to the Chicago Bears. He’s probably the most physically dominant player to come through the halls in the last decade.
- Martavis Bryant: The former Clemson star and NFL wide receiver. His raw athleticism was legendary in high school.
- Ben Boulware: The heart of Clemson’s 2016 National Championship defense. He played exactly how Hanna coaches teach—aggressive, loud, and relentless.
- Rafael Little: A Kentucky legend who proved that Hanna could produce elite backfield talent.
What to Expect Next
The 2026 season is already looking interesting. Losing seniors like Emari Nance and Gavin Magin (who threw for 7 TDs and ran the offense efficiently) will hurt. But the pipeline is full. Guys like Walker Kelley and Brock Cole (who will be a senior) are set to take over the leadership roles.
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The defensive side of the ball will likely lean on Connor Ash and Carson Cole. They’ve got a system. They don't rebuild at Hanna; they just reload.
If you're planning to head to a game, get there early. The parking lot fills up fast, and the "Yellow Jacket Alley" walk is something you have to see at least once. It’s loud, it’s gold, and it’s pure South Carolina football.
Next Steps for Fans and Parents:
- Check the 2026 Schedule: Keep an eye on the SCHSL realignments, as Region 1-AAAAA is always a gauntlet.
- Visit the Field House: If you're a recruit or a parent, schedule a tour of the athletic facilities to see the $15+ million investment in student-athletes.
- Support the Booster Club: Most of the "extras" that make the game-day experience great come from local Anderson businesses and alumni donations.
- Stay Updated: Follow the official @TLHanna_Sports accounts for real-time score updates and injury reports during the season.