2025 Preview: Stratford Knights

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stratford coach Dennie McDaniel has a luxury that not many coaches will be able to enjoy when preseason practice kicks off in August. The Knights return all five starters along the offensive line, three of which will be entering at least their third year as a mainstay along the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That type of experience is more than likely going to determine what type of success Stratford has in 2025 after a 5-6 finish in 2024. The Knights have eight starters returning on offense with the line and quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis']</strong> headlining that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“That's a lot of experience and a lot of experience of playing together,” McDaniel said. “They know what we want to do and how we want to try and do it. They talk and communicate all the time and that's a bonus when you can have that much togetherness up front. It's a breath of fresh air to know you have five solid guys up front.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403903' first='Ben' last='Jordan']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267289' first='Jameson' last='Pelham']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399623' first='TJ' last='Bryant']</strong>, <strong>Jaxson Squires</strong> and <strong>Antonio Gantt</strong> will form that nucleus upfront. Throw in Davis and wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592357' first='J'Qwan' last='Crosby']</strong> and the Knights offense might be one of the better in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan and Pelham (pictured) are going to be four-year starters with Bryant being a three-year starter this coming season. Pelham likes what he sees so far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Honestly, the offensive line should be our biggest strength. We know each other and we know what we each do well. We have amazing chemistry and make calls and checks all the time at the line,” Pelham said. “Our mindset is having a bigger commitment and making sure you're putting in the work and not joking around.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive side of the ball is going to be a different story with several new starters in place. Sophomores <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672934' first='Landon' last='Simmons']</strong> will be counted on to be leaders. The secondary is going to be revamped, and the linebacker group is going to be new-look as well. <strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The offensive side of the ball should definitely be our strength,” McDaniel said. “We have guys that we trust. Davis is one of the most competitive guys I've ever been around. That type of spirit spreads to the other guys.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399623' first='TJ' last='Bryant'] </strong>OL, 2026 – The Knights will trot out five senior starters on the offensive line and Bryant is the highest ranked on our site, coming in at No. 139 overall in the 2026 Class. He's 6-foot-2, 265 pounds and can play guard or center. He plays well in space and is a terror in leading a trap. His best football is in the days ahead. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] </strong>QB, 2026 – Davis is coming off a season where he threw for 1,877 yards and ran for an additional 698 yards and accounted for 26 total touchdowns. We think that's just scratching the surface. He was one of the standouts at the Carolina Coaches Combine we he reached 22 MPH. Playing behind that experienced offensive line, Davis, who is committed to Liberty, could account for over 3,000 combined yards this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis']</strong> DE, 2028 – Davis started some as a freshman and he's come a long from a player that jumped offsides on his first varsity snap. He has all the measurables to be the next defensive stalwart for the Knights. He's 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and his quickness and aggressiveness make him difficult to block. He's still raw but once he figures it all out, he's going to be a handful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267289' first='Jameson' last='Pelham']</strong> OL, 2026 – Pelham plays tackle and he's the vocal leader on the most experienced unit on the team. He wins battles at the line of scrimmage but he's also athletic enough to block linebackers and safeties in space. He uses great hand placement to control defenders and make them go in the direction he wants them to go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592357' first='J'Qwan' last='Crosby']</strong> WR, 2026 – It's hard to say that a receiver that caught a team-best 40 passes for 702 yards and four touchdowns was under the radar, but Crosby fits that bill. He had zero offers going into Camp season but came out of the first one with five offers, the largest being from Southern Miss. Crosby is a great route runner and uses his frame well to shield defenders. He's transformed his body and that has translated into greater confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18407758/6744cf93d6032daf3d050fd7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686190b9d442f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kerwin Squire </strong>RB – Squire was the Knights leading rusher last season with 869 yards and eight touchdowns and he was also a safety valve in the passing game. He only had two games where he rushed for over 100 yards, but the threat was there to be a breakaway threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darrell Holmes</strong> LB – All Holmes did is rack up over 100 tackles with five tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception. He was the emotional leader on defense as well and his leadership is going to be missed in the huddle and on the sideline. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jarrett Hearne</strong> LB, 2027 – Hearne has done a great job in the weight room this offseason and he should slide into one of the starting linebacker roles. He had 24 tackles and a sack last season but will be counted on to contribute much better numbers this season. He's packed on some good weight and that should translate into additional playing time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738863' first='Jaden' last='McGrue']</strong> CB, 2026 – McGrue transferred into the program and should earn one of the starting cornerback positions. He can play on an island or come up and provide support in run defense. He displays great hips and can turn and run with the faster receivers. He also reacts well and tackles in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672934"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686190b9d5cc4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simmons is another young player that developed more and more as the season progressed. He's going to be a mainstay along the defensive front and get better as he grows into his 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame. He's very athletic as he's one of the Knights better basketball players as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->