Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in Hemingway, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in Hemingway, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in Hemingway, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in Hemingway, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in Hemingway, SC.
HEMINGWAY – The Hemingway Boys & Girls Club announced its “50 for 100 Facility Campaign” last week.The campaign runs until Dec. 31, and for every $1 given by the community, a generous, longtime club benefactor will match it with $1.George Brown, a Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area board member, announced the campaign at the club’s recent board meeting, adding that this matching gift opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure the Hemingway Club facility provides a safe and nurt...
HEMINGWAY – The Hemingway Boys & Girls Club announced its “50 for 100 Facility Campaign” last week.
The campaign runs until Dec. 31, and for every $1 given by the community, a generous, longtime club benefactor will match it with $1.
George Brown, a Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area board member, announced the campaign at the club’s recent board meeting, adding that this matching gift opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure the Hemingway Club facility provides a safe and nurturing environment for youth in Hemingway and beyond.
Mike Woods, the director of programs and evaluation, said while the recent announcement is the first public announcement, campaign planning has been underway for several months, and $26,000 has already been raised toward the match. The funds raised from this campaign will go toward several major projects that need to be completed to keep the club relevant and inviting for youth.
The goal is to refurbish and refresh the club’s appearance, add a focus on technology and replace outdated program equipment. The vision includes adding STEM and E-Sports labs, updating program equipment such as furniture and game tables and refurbishing the 23,860-square-foot roof.
The Hemingway Boys & Girls Club opened in 1998 and serves more than 350 youths ages 6 to 18 annually, offering daily after school programs and all-day summer programs. The club’s primary focus is to help youth increase their academic abilities, provide them opportunities to develop their character and leadership skills and encourage them to adopt a healthier lifestyle. While the majority of club members live in Hemingway, club membership reaches into Johnsonville, Kingstree, Andrews and surrounding communities.
When Hemingway Club Director Marcus Mitchell learned of the campaign, he shared that the last major renovation to the facility was back in 2009 and that the club is in dire need of upgrades. He said that with 89% of club members belonging to no other youth service organization, it was imperative that the club provide a first-class facility and service to the area’s youth.
The club invites people to join it by lending a helping hand to serve so many deserving youths. The club’s impact has shown:
94% of parents report club hours and services allow someone in the household to maintain a job.
Teachers said that 86% of members who needed to raise their grades did, and that 80% who needed to improve their behavior did.
57% of alumni believe that the club saved their lives.
Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 397, Hemingway, SC 29554, or click donate at bgcpda.org and write Hemingway Match in the memo.
Three postal workers, including two sisters from South Carolina, have been charged by federal prosecutors for their alleged roles in a scam that netted as much as $8 million from the federal Paycheck Prote...
Three postal workers, including two sisters from South Carolina, have been charged by federal prosecutors for their alleged roles in a scam that netted as much as $8 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.
In a recently unsealed indictment, federal prosecutors in South Carolina allege that Tiffany McFadden of New York and Keisha Lewis and Cherry Lewis of South Carolina filed false applications for themselves and others. The women face six charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.
The “national scheme” netted the three defendants $1 million directly, but that number may be as high as $8 million, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for South Carolina.
“PPP loans were intended to help businesses survive unprecedented challenges. Every dollar stolen from this program was stolen from taxpayers and legitimate businesses in need of support,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs of South Carolina.
McFadden, 40, a former U.S. Postal Service employee who regularly traveled to South Carolina, is accused of being the mastermind behind the scheme. She allegedly filed fraudulent PPP loans on behalf of other individuals, using “routinely fictitious” businesses, according to the indictment. McFadden allegedly took a cut of the fraudulently obtained loans.
“Most PPP applicants were also aware that the information submitted to the SBA was false,” according to the indictment.
The indictment describes PPP loans submitted in the names of Cherry and Keisha Lewis.
On March 4, 2021, the indictment states that a bank account belonging to Keisha Lewis, 33, from Hemingway, S.C., received $20,500 from PPP lender Itria Ventures. The next day she allegedly transferred $4,000 to Tiffany McFadden’s CashApp account.
The indictment also said that a PPP loan was submitted in the name of Cherry Lewis, 43, from Johnsonville, SC. On Feb. 10, 2021 she submitted an application for a fraudulent PPP loan, according to the indictment. Cherry Lewis is accused of “overstating her income and claiming ownership of non-existent businesses.”
The indictment also accused Cherry Lewis and Keisha Lewis of requesting blank, fillable tax forms from McFadden that they then provided to other individuals “to use in assisting others to complete PPP applications.”
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. They may also be required to pay fines and restitution.
PPP was designed to provide relief to business owners who were unable to pay workers due to COVID-19 shutdowns. The forgivable loans were administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and were intended to encourage business owners to keep employees.
The defendants were arrested by the U.S. Secret Service on Jan. 6, 2023, according to the statement. They were arraigned the same day before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kaymani D. West at the federal courthouse in Florence, S.C. They have been released on bond pending trial.
“Any member of the public who has information related to this scheme is encouraged to contact the U.S. Secret Service,” said Burroughs.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Small Business Administration, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, and the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office, according to the statement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Winston Marosek, who also serves as the Office’s Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator, are prosecuting the case.
Defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and offensive lineman Cason Henry likely won’t be available for spring practice due to minor surgeries, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer told reporters on Thur...
Defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and offensive lineman Cason Henry likely won’t be available for spring practice due to minor surgeries, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer told reporters on Thursday.
The purpose of those procedures was to “clean up some things” from the end of the 2022 season to be fully healthy for this year.
Hemingway totaled 33 tackles and four sacks last season. He made a few highlight plays on special teams, catching a fake field goal against Vanderbilt and taking a direct snap for a two-point conversion against S.C. State.
Henry played in two games as a true freshman for South Carolina in 2022.
Jordan Strachan and Mo Kaba will be “limited” as the recover from their season-ending injuries. Both players tore an ACL in Week 2 against Arkansas last season. Beamer said their rehab has gone well so far, and they’re able to move around with the thing they’ve been allowed to do.
David Spaulding, who missed the end of last season due to a foot injury, will be “more likely” to participate in spring practice activities, according to Beamer. He hopes for him to become more involved in the second half of spring practice.
“Other than that, knock on wood, we’re in great shape from a health standpoint,” Beamer said. “Off-season’s been good, pleased with the progress we’ve made and excited to finish up everything in the weight room this week. And then, get into phase two for us, which is spring practice.”
Spring football practice begins March 14. The Gamecocks’ annual Garnet & Black Spring Football Game is 7 p.m. April 15.
All three players who were suspended last month — Monteque Rhames, Anthony Rose and Cameron Upshaw — are still not with the team and Beamer does not believe they’ll be with the team “in the near future.”
The three players were suspended Feb. 3 and later removed from the team’s official online roster.
At the time, Beamer issued a statement that said: “Our student-athletes know what is expected of them. They know that both the University and the football program will hold them accountable for their actions and decisions.”
USC didn’t provide details as to why those players were suspended, but Richland County jail records showed that Rhames had been arrested on charges of “carrying weapons on school property” and obstructing justice.
This story was originally published March 2, 2023, 11:48 AM.
Beaufort SC is one of the friendliest towns you’ll ever find. Neighbors take care of each other and our community rallies like no other; and this holds true even, or especially, at downtown’s Panini’s and at Hemingway’s Bistro at Thanksgiving every year.Gearing up for their 29th annual “Orphans and Strays Thanksgiving Dinner,” both Hemingway’s and Panini’s on the Waterfront are looking at the holidays as truly a time for giving back to folks in the Beaufort community.Starting arou...
Beaufort SC is one of the friendliest towns you’ll ever find. Neighbors take care of each other and our community rallies like no other; and this holds true even, or especially, at downtown’s Panini’s and at Hemingway’s Bistro at Thanksgiving every year.
Gearing up for their 29th annual “Orphans and Strays Thanksgiving Dinner,” both Hemingway’s and Panini’s on the Waterfront are looking at the holidays as truly a time for giving back to folks in the Beaufort community.
Starting around 2pm, the free dinner is being held at Hemingway’s all afternoon long on Thanksgiving Day.
Started way back in 1993 by the Fosters, the original owners of Hemingway’s, the event has grown quite a bit in the time that new owners Paul Thompson and Kanani Robinson, have stepped in. According to Thompson, who also owns Panini’s on the Waterfront, the free event “draws over 150 locals and visitors,” who would otherwise not have many choices of where to spend the holiday.
In fact, the sense of community is so strong, Thompson decided to close Panini’s next door for the holiday again this year, giving his employees the day off as well as passing up on the revenue generated from being one of the few local restaurants open on Thanksgiving so he could focus his efforts on preparing main courses next door at Hemingway’s for those that don’t have anywhere of their own to go.
“We greatly appreciate all of our regular patrons who have returned over the past 10 years to Panini’s to celebrate with family and enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner,” Thompson said. “This year, we have again made the decision to be closed and will be cooking several smoked turkeys and hams for the annual Hemingway’s Bistro ‘Orphans & Strays’ Thanksgiving.”
“I can’t stress enough the amazing amount of support we get from the community for this special day. This is a great tradition now in its 29th year, and we are always pleased to be part of it; we love when our locals and visitors all come together for a holiday dinner,” Thompson told us.
The annual Orphans & Strays Thanksgiving is a pot luck where the folks who have been coming regularly year after year bring a side dish, with both Panini’s and Hemingway’s donating time and money in preparing the main entrées including turkeys, hams, mac & cheese, salads, etc. While it’s not necessary to bring anything, the food is free to all and you can enjoy live entertainment and meet some new friends. While the free dinner is available to everyone starting around 2pm, the full bar will be available until 1:30am (another post-Thanksgiving dinner tradition).
In yet another selfless act by yet another local, “Campfire Tyler has graciously agreed to provide his talents for the Orphans and Strays party at Hemingway’s, away from his family. We thank him for doing this. Tyler is first and foremost a family man that is giving back his time to the community,” Thompson added.
For a lot of people, Thanksgiving has become their official binge eating day stuffing themselves with as much turkey and goodies as possible. For others, it is a day for shoes off and football. Most likely afterwards, you spend a couple of days eating leftover turkey and stuffing.
However, there are many others who focus on the true meaning of Thanksgiving which is simply to be thankful for everything you have. The purpose of Thanksgiving is to practice humility and give thanks for whatever it is we do have.
“The event has become popular and lots of folks look forward to it,” Thompson said. “So we are going to expand it and also have the same gathering this year on Christmas Day and then again next spring on Easter Sunday. Anyone and everyone is welcome.”
At Panini’s, and at Hemingway’s, humility and giving thanks are obviously things that they practice, and for that, we’re thankful that we have them.
Hemingway’s Bistro is located at 920 Bay Street (Rear) at downtown Beaufort’s Waterfront Park.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Terrell Hemingway isn’t exactly sure why everyone calls him Tonka.“You’ve got to talk to my dad about that one,” South Carolina’s sophomore defensive lineman said.It’s not because his son played with Tonka trucks as a child, Kenneth Hemingway said. It’s because he impersonated one.“He would always fall, jump, tear up anything he had,” Kenneth said. “We bought him one of those little hot rod cycles from Walmart with the battery to it, and I...
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Terrell Hemingway isn’t exactly sure why everyone calls him Tonka.
“You’ve got to talk to my dad about that one,” South Carolina’s sophomore defensive lineman said.
It’s not because his son played with Tonka trucks as a child, Kenneth Hemingway said. It’s because he impersonated one.
“He would always fall, jump, tear up anything he had,” Kenneth said. “We bought him one of those little hot rod cycles from Walmart with the battery to it, and I had to always monitor him because he was a daredevil. We were going over to my mother’s house and my uncle had a trailer there that was pretty high off the ground, and Tonka was going so fast that he couldn’t stop that thing so he ran dead into that mobile home and the bike went under the mobile home and it knocked him back off that bike. He jumped up and got on the bike and kept going.”
The young boy fell so often and so hard that his father worried his body would break down.
“I used to give him the devil about falling on his knees,” Kenneth said. “I’d say, ‘Boy, they aren’t going to be any good to you when you get older.’”
They’re holding up fine. Tonka Hemingway is the youngest of Kenneth and Lena’s four children, a quartet that together starred in almost every sport Conway High School offered and all went on to play college sports. Oldest sister Shamae played basketball and volleyball at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. Second-in-line Junior was a wide receiver at Michigan and then played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2012 through 2014. Third sibling Janecia now pitches for the softball team at Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.
The Hemingway children themselves against the next older one, which for Tonka meant constant competition with Janecia, who was born a year before him.
“They went at it 24/7,” Junior said. “Either he was going to be crying once they got done or the other way around, but they went at it. Janecia always used to get the best of him, so he’d get mad, always be in his feelings and try to get her back.”
Tonka doesn’t deny it.
“They’d have to calm me down. I’d get very mad,” he said. “There was one time we were little and she wanted to put the pads on and play football. I didn’t put any pads on, but she did and we did like Oklahoma drill and she ran me over.”
At one time, a video recording of the event existed, but much to the chagrin of everyone in the family — except Tonka — it has been lost.
“Tonka stayed on the ground,” Shamae said. “He used to work my nerves, always falling and hitting and rolling. He was a boy but times 10. The things he would do …”
The Hemingway children participated in sports throughout the school year at Conway and spent the summers doing drills with Kenneth. Tonka and Janecia ran a homemade obstacle course, then did sport-specific drills starting at 7 a.m. in the summers.
“Tonk was just so darn competitive man,” Junior Hemingway said. “Just rumbling and stumbling. He went hard. He was one of those ones who wanted to get out there and do it, but we’d be like, ‘OK if you’re going to do it, do it right,’ and then when you made him do it, he’d want to cry, but he’d do it. As he got older, he started to want to do those things. By the time he got to high school, he wanted to perfect his craft.”
Shamae said: “I think we all are competitive, but I think Tonka being younger took it to a different level. Playing horse and pig, if he got beat, he got really upset and wanted to play again until he got the upper hand on you. It kind of drove him to be the athlete he is.”
In almost everything. Tonka was a four-star defensive line prospect by the time he left Conway. He was also an all-state basketball player and a member of the baseball team. About the only thing he didn’t accomplish athletically was getting a hit off his sister throwing a softball. Would he even try? “No,” he says.
“I have tried to get him to do that, but I told him he didn’t have a chance of hitting it,” Janecia said. “He has caught me before, and he said never again.”
Tonka’s goals now are all on the football field, where he stood out during the spring for first-year defensive coordinator Clayton White.
“He’s probably the most surprising guy as far as the evaluations that were given to me,” White said. “He is definitely a trending-up type of player.”
Last season, Hemingway played in 11 games as a true freshman, starting three at defensive end and recording 16 tackles. The new defensive staff has asked Hemingway to add weight so he can play more on the interior of the defensive line. He’s now above 270 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame.
“He’s a smart football player,” White said. “His technique is really good. I think he plays with great effort. And he’s very tough. He’s a quiet guy, and you have to watch out for those quiet guys. Those are the ones that scare you.”
Hemingway misses playing multiple sports but is starting to see the value of specialization.
“In high school, I really couldn’t keep my weight. In basketball season, I really dropped down in weight a lot, but then I’d start getting it back in baseball,” he said. “It’s good being here and focusing on football, able to lift weights year-round.”
First-year Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer still sees the residual effects of Hemingway’s multisport background — in a good way.
“I think the more (sports) you play, the better,” Beamer said. “You see guys where their basketball skills translate to the football field and football translates to basketball. I know when we’re able to go on the road recruiting, I love to be able to watch the guys not just play football but also play basketball or baseball or run track. I’m all for it.”
Hemingway earned the Gamecocks Toughness Award during spring practice.
“I told him after practice one day, ‘Yo, I like you inside. I like what you’ve got,’” senior center Eric Douglas said. “He can give you some speed. He will make plays. He’s coming into his own form. It’s going to be exciting to see what will come in the fall.”
Senior Jabari Ellis and junior Zacch Pickens are expected to start at defensive tackle this fall, with senior J.J. Enagbare and sophomore Jordan Burch on the ends, but Hemingway figures to be a key part of the rotation up front.
“I love Tonk, man,” Ellis said. “He’s got the tools, especially to rush the passer.”
“I just love the way he carries himself,” Beamer said. “He doesn’t say a whole lot. He just comes to work every single day. You don’t notice him necessarily because he’s not saying a whole lot, but he just plays football. Really impressed with him, does everything right, handles his business on and off the field.”
Back home in Conway, expectations are certainly high for Hemingway.
“I think he can go further and do more than I did,” Junior said.
Wherever Tonka’s collision course takes him, he’ll simply be carrying out a family tradition.
“I learned growing up if you want to win, you have to fight for it,” he said. “It’s not going to be given to you easily.”
(Top photo: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)