Knights and Jackets Enter Season With Plenty to Prove

Scouting the Jackets

The Sprayberry Yellow Jackets enter the 2026 season with plenty of question marks, as they lose a dynamic quarterback along with two top-tier defensive backs. The Jackets will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new running back, with D.J. Wilson expected to take over under center.

Nathan Couey will anchor the offensive line for the Jackets, while the running back position could be a committee approach. Saiky Minnifield and Jarkeis Troutman, among others, could see carries as Sprayberry looks to find its lead back. At tight end, Marques Gray is a big target who could develop into a sneaky-good weapon for the Jackets.

Defensively, the aforementioned Minnifield and D.J. Mailey should provide leadership for a Sprayberry defense that will be looking for new playmakers to emerge.

Scouting the Knights

The River Ridge Knights have plenty of their own question marks, as they graduate a significant amount of experience along both lines of scrimmage as well as an experienced linebacking corps.

The good news for the Knights is the return of quarterback Hunter Lockerman, who threw for 1,153 yards and 12 touchdowns while tossing just one interception during his junior campaign. Micah Pugh also returns as the team's leading rusher and will likely serve as the bell cow for the River Ridge ground attack. Pugh rushed for 479 yards and three touchdowns a season ago.

The Knights also have some versatility at the skill positions. Andrew Rowe will be an option at receiver, while Luke Thompson has shown promise at tight end. We also expect to see Rowe suit up defensively for Coach Collins this season. He will join safety Bryce McFarland as one of the top returning players in the Knights' secondary.

Keys to the Game

Sprayberry

• Find consistency at quarterback with D.J. Wilson taking over the offense.

• Establish the running game despite potentially using a committee approach.

• Get downhill against River Ridge and create pressure on the Knights' young offensive line.

• Lean on Saiky Minnifield and D.J. Mailey for defensive leadership.

River Ridge

• Protect Hunter Lockerman while the young offensive line develops.

• Get Micah Pugh enough opportunities to establish the ground game.

• Find ways to get Andrew Rowe involved on both sides of the football.

• Take advantage of Sprayberry breaking in a new quarterback and running back.

Pundit's Pick

Both teams still have plenty of kinks to work out with so many new players stepping into prominent roles. Micah Pughcan be a difference-maker in the ground game, but the question will be whether the young River Ridge offensive line can create enough holes for him. The experience of Hunter Lockerman should provide some valuable grace for the Knights as the offensive line develops. If Sprayberry can consistently get downhill against the Knights' defense, it could spell trouble for River Ridge. Meanwhile, the Jackets will need to find offensive answers of their own. The good news for River Ridge is that they won't have to chase Jaden Duckett around all night long.

Prediction

River Ridge by 3