The skinny
Freedom
Last year: 2-8
Is Chadd Wood into sequels? Well, let’s find out. The new coach turned Chamberlain around, however, the hill is a little steeper at Freedom. But there’s a little hope in the air. Wood has a decent offensive line and some good running backs, a few speedy wide receivers and a couple of younger guys he thinks will be stars by the end of the season. If Wood can get quiet sophomore quarterback Taj Leathers to loudly take charge, he thinks his offense can put up some points. Three wins would be a good step forward, he says, but we’re guessing deep down, he’s secretly thinking of a bigger number.
Wharton
Last year: 4-6
It’s year three of coach Abner Smith III’s tenure, and he thinks it’s put up or shut up time. “We’re at a point as a program where it’s time for us to take that next step, and I think that next step for us right now is contending for a district title,” Smith said. Wharton lost a few starters in the offseason to other schools, but returns promising quarterback Ty Nesmith and his most cohesive offensive line yet to lead an offense that will “attack every blade of grass.” The Wildcats appear to be solid all around, and could flourish with an easier schedule than the brutish slate of the past two years.
King
Last year: 2-8
The Lions will go into the season opener without the benefit of a preseason game, which was canceled due to a lack of players with completed paperwork. But second-year coach Dock Pollard isn’t fretting. He thinks his team has upgraded at quarterback, is flush with talented and tall wide receivers and is strong up front. “Our skills positions are pretty good; we just gotta get some guys to make sure they block for these guys.” The Lions now have 40-ish players, and while it may not be enough for its first winning season since 2020, Pollard may be slowly but surely turning King around.
Tampa Bay Tech
Last year: 8-3
The Titans are settled in as one of the top programs in Tampa Bay, especially in New Tampa/Temple Terrace. Consider: In the last five years, TBT is 51-13, while Wharton, Freedom and King are a combined 44-110. The regional semifinalists from last year do have some work to do after graduating its top three receivers and a pair of Division 1-level running backs that found the end zone 29 times last season, but there’s always another wave of athletes waiting in the wings. “We’ve got a goal to get to the state championship,” head coach Jayson Roberts said.
Players to Watch
Omari Blackmon, Sr., S, Wharton: Another one of Wharton’s athletes able to go both ways, Blackmon will add receiving to his schedule. “We expect him to have a huge impact on the game on both sides of the ball,” Smith III said.
Nate Blum. Jr., OL, Wharton: Part of an experienced line that includes multi-year starters like Indel Montfleury and Harden Eliscar.
Rome Freeman, Sr., LB, TBT: A Jacksonville State commit, Freeman posted 71 tackles, with 14 for a loss, to go with three sacks last year.
Arthur Hinton, So., RB, Freedom: Limited action last year but the speedy back is a breakout candidate for 2026 and will probably have the majority of the carries.
Bruce Li, Sr., RB, Freedom: Bulky back is valuable carrying the ball, but also has some pass catching skills too.
Ty Nesmith, Jr., QB, Wharton: A dual threat, Nesmith showed some real flashes last year splitting duties under center, but the full-time job is now his. “This will be his come-out season,” Smith III said.
Khaled Osman, Sr., LB, Wharton: Led the team with 51 tackles, including 13 for a loss and five sacks. The only returning starter on defense.
Jacques Pertee, Jr., RB, King: At 6-3, 210 pounds with what his coach calls legitimate track speed, Pertee will be the primary ball carrier for the Lions.
Daunta Peterson, Jr., CB, TBT: One of the top cover guys around, Peterson led Tampa Bay Tech with three interceptions in 2025.
Isaiah Rodriguez, Sr., WR, Wharton: Small, but strong. He was the Wildcats pound-for-pound weightlifting champ, and combines that with good hands and the speed that led the team with 21 yards a catch last year.
Berry Sanders, Jr., RB, Wharton: He led the team in yards (255) and touchdowns on 52 carries, but he’ll carry a much heavier load in 2026.
Kesean Smith, Jr., RB, TBT: He steps into the top backfield role after leading the team with nine rushing touchdowns last season.
Jorge Torres, Sr., OL/DL, Freedom: The leader on the line, Torres has gained 40 pounds since last summer and taken on a leadership role.
Mason Tui, Jr., LB, TBT: He was amongst the team’s best in fumble recoveries, sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries as a sophomore.
New Faces
Gavin Jordan, Fr., LB, Freedom: He will start the season for the Patriots, and already has a senior’s mentality and work ethic, according to his coach.
Sebastian Gramatica, Fr., K, Freedom: Another Gramatica! Wood said he plans on playing him right from the start. “I want him to be able to beat his cousins’ varsity points records,” he said.
Taj Leathers, So., QB, Freedom: Hasn’t had any varsity experience so still growing into role, but Alonso transfer has shown potential.
Cooper Lilje, Jr., QB, King: A former Sunlake Seahawk, Lilje comes to King from the Wilder Sports Academy. He’ll have a host of big targets to throw to.
Dev Patel, Sr., OL, Wharton: One of Freedom’s best players before transferring. He’ll be the starting center for the Wildcats promising offensive line.
Super Sophomores
Martavius Conway, So., QB, TBT: His freshman year Conway threw for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Now more experienced, he will be unleashed as TBT opens up the playbook to him. “This year, we’ll do a lot more things,” Roberts said.
Dynym Allison, So., OL/DL, Freedom: A wrestler playing football for the first time, Dynym is extremely athletic and will open some eyes this season. He will start at left tackle, but don’t be surprised if he gets a few carries as well.
Deriel Mitchell, So., WR, Freedom: A burner who is praised by coaches for his focus and desire to play at the next level.
5 Games to Watch
Aug. 21: Freedom at Sickles: The Gryphons were 1-9 last year but do return almost all of last year’s passing attack. But still, Freedom sets off on a new journey and we’re not ruling out a grand beginning.
Sept. 4: Wharton at Freedom: We’ve been banned from referring to this as a rivalry, because Wharton has won the last seven meetings by a combined score of 342-17. And yet…be there or be square.
Sept. 18: Gaither at Tampa Bay Tech: This will be one of the Tampa Bay area’s best match-ups this season. We’re setting the over/under at 60.
Oct. 9: Armwood at Tampa Bay Tech: Tech is the best team up this way, and the Hawks are one of the best teams in the state, and they really don’t like each other, so we’re not sure what you’re waiting for. Get your tickets.
Oct. 16: Wharton at Wiregrass Ranch: This will be interesting, considering 43 players from the Wildcat roster transferred to Wiregrass Ranch in the offseason. Okay, fine, it was just a handful, but still, with a district title potentially hanging on the line as well, this should be a doozy.