Football 2026 3A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

PRINCETON BULLDOGS

HEAD COACH: Travis Gaster
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Swine Valley
2025 RECORD: 7-5 (3-3)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We are returning a talented group of players including 7 starters on offense and 9 on defense.”

2026 SCHEDULE

AUG 21st @ Ayden Grifton
AUG 28th EAST DUPLIN
SEP 3rd @ Seaforth
SEP 11th NORTH JOHNTON
SEP 18th MIDWAY
SEP 25th open
OCT 2nd @ Wallace-Rose Hill
OCT 9th SPRING CREEK
OCT 16th GOLDSBORO
OCT 23rd @ James Kenan
OCT 30th @ Rosewood


SENIOR: CHANDLER JACKSON (LB, 5’10, 180, 4.9) He made 51 tackles.

JUNIOR: TEO McPHATTER (TB/QB/DB/PR/KR, 5’10,168, 4.5) HSOT All-State. He ran for 2,457 yards with 36 touchdowns, passed 326 yards with 8 touchdowns, and scored 196 points. On defense, he had 5 interceptions and returned a fumble 92 yards for a touchdown. As a returner, he had 756 return yards. ‘Teo is one of the best playmakers in the state on both sides of the ball. He runs a 3.94 shuttle.” JARRETT LEE (LB, 5’11,190, 4,78) He made 48 tackles.

EAST SURRY CARDINALS

HEAD COACH: Caleb Pardue
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Northwest 3A/4A
2025 RECORD: 5-7 (3-2)

2026 OUTLOOK: “ We are excited for a chance to compete and win a couple of games”

2026 SCHEDULE:

AUG 21st @ Statesville
AUG 28th STARMOUNT
SEP 4th MURPHY
SEP 11th WALKERTOWN
SEP 18th @ North Forsyth
SEP 25th Open
OCT 2nd @ Surry Central
OCT 9th NORTH SURR
OCT 16th WEST STOKES
OCT 23rd @ Forbush
OCT 30th @ Mount Airy

SENIORS: JB DAVIS (QB). All-Conference. He completed 103 of 207 passes for 1,406 yards with 19 touchdowns and ran 502 yards with 7 touchdowns. “JB will be the catalyst for our offense”. NOLAN WITHERS (WR). “Nolan missed the 2025 season due to injuries but is looking ready to come back better than ever this year. He is a fast kid who qualified for Track Regionals this spring in the 4x200m, 200m, and 400m.” SAM FREEMAN (WR/DB). He had 2 interceptions last year. “ Sam is a returning starting safety. We are looking for him to have a huge year at Safety and WR.” AADEN WRIGHT (DL). “Aaden is a returning 3-year starter, who is looking to have a huge break out year this season, He has really worked this off season to get better in a lot of different ways.” BRETT MOSER (OL). “Brett is a returning starter who anchors the right side of the offensive line. He is a tall lengthy kid with a great pass set. Brett has an offer from Davidson.” IAN LEDESMA (OL). All-Conference. “Ian is a returning starter who plays left guard for us. He is a nasty run blocker and a huge anchor on the interior of the offensive line.” KNOX GALYEAN (OL). “Knox is a returning starter at center. He is a smart kid who understands our system and has a big body that just wears down the opponents throughout the game. Knox is great at making our calls and communicating across our entire offensive line.” ANDREW BOLES (OL). “Andrew is s returning starter who plays right guard for us. He is a little undersized but is a kid who wrestles and understands how to use his leverage and strength to put the opposing defensive lineman in positions they are not used to. Andrew is a gritty and determined kid who will not stop until the game is over.” TJ SAMPLES (TE/OL/DL). “TJ is a returning starting defensive lineman that has really grinded in the weight room this off season to get more explosive. He is looking to put together a really good year in the trenches.”

JUNIORS: NATE KIGER (RB). All-Conference. He had 1,848 all purpose yards including 1,309 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns. “Nate averaged 109.1 yards per game. We expect a big year from him if he can stay healthy.” JON HUTCHENS (RB). He ran for 759 yards and 6 touchdowns. “Jon averaged 63.3 yards per game. He has had a great off season and we expect him to be a difference maker for us.” NATHAN DIAMONT (LB). “Nathan is a returning inside linebacker from late last season who played a huge role in our success towards the end of our season as a Sophomore. He has worked hard in the weight room this off season as well as getting better with ball knowledge and understanding the game at a deeper level.” CHRISTIAN BUNTIN (LB). “Christian is a returning inside linebacker from late last season who played a huge role in our success towards the end of our season as a Sophomore. He has worked hard in the weight room this off season as well as getting better with ball knowledge and understanding the game at a deeper level.” JAYME GEORGE (QB/WR/LB/DB). “Jayme will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” CAM FOSTER (LB). “Cam will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” JAYDEN HESTER (OL/DL). “Jayden will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” CASEN MCGRAW (TE/OL/DL). “Casen will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.”

SOPHOMORES: WYATT ROBERTSON (WR/DB). “Wyatt will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” ASHER DAWSON (DL). “Asher will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.”