2025 Preview: Latta Vikings

The groundwork is there. The experience is there. There are some younger guys coming along that's going to play prominent roles. Latta football is hoping to have a breakthrough season that has a better finish than the 5-6 record from a year ago.   “The chemistry is different this season,” senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1738838' first='Jayden' last='Alford'] said at the recent PRZ Media Day at West Florence. “Not to discredit the team from last year but you can tell that there's a closer bond and it seems to mean more to us this year. We feel confident that we can win every game on our schedule this year.”   Coach Brandon Iseman believes this could be a turning point season as well. He loves the guys he has returning – Alford will be joined by the likes of senior linebacker Gavin Aubin, senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1738835' first='Zack' last='Page'] and Logan Byrd and Javontae Kollock. Two junior offensive linemen.     Add in the mix a sensational freshman quarterback like Luke Huggins and 2028 athlete Irangabiye Johnson, and you can see why Iseman is so excited. Three of the six losses were by a combined 12 points.   “We have a lot of experienced guys coming back and we're trying to get over that hump and take it farther than we have in the past,” Iseman said. “Those older guys have set the example for the younger guys to follow.”   The Vikings were in every game last season but had a handful get away from them at the end.   But the defensive guys returning could make that transition from winning to losing a lot easier. Joining some of the ones already mentioned are senior linebacker Xy.mari Bethea, senior defensive back Adrian McDonald and junior defensive lineman Zamarion Monroe.     That group allowed more than 28 points just once last season. If the Latta ground attack can chew up yardage and keep the clock moving, this defense could even be stouter this season.   “Our strong suit is going to be our defense this year. We have something to prove,” Aubin said.      STARS SET TO SHINE   Xy'mari Bethea LB/RB, 2026 – Bethea was a defensive stalwart last season and finished with 71 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. But that might just be scratching the surface of what he does this season. He's also going to play running back and could come away as a two-way standout for the Vikings.   Gavin Aubin LB, 2026 – Aubin is going to fill one of the linebacker spots and has had a great summer. He's versatile and quick, which will sit well in the Latta attack. He's also stronger than he might look and that will help him shed blockers and get to the ball carriers quicker.              [player_tooltip player_id='1738835' first='Zack' last='Page'] OL, 2026 – Let's face the facts – Latta wants to run the football and then run it some more. What better way to do that than have a dominant offensive line. Page is 5-foot-11, 306 pounds with a 77-inch wingspan. He hit the bench press 22 times at the Carolinas Coaches Combine this spring. That's a good place to start if you want to run the football.   Adrian McDonald WR/DB, 2026 – Last season, McDonald took snaps at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He's likely going to be the backup quarterback still but look for him to make his mark more at defensive back and wide receiver. He had an interception, a caused fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2024. He will get plenty of chances to increase those numbers in 2025.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1738838' first='Jayden' last='Alford'] DB, 2026 – Alford plays free safety with the best of them, directing traffic as well as making plays. He can play centerfield and read the quarterback's eyes, or he can line-up as a nickel or outside linebacker and come up and support in the run defense as well. Alford will also see time at wide receiver and even serve as an emergency QB if needed.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Tyquan Drawhorn, DE – All Drawhorn did last season was register 61 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks and a fumble recovery. He was a force coming off the edge and had to be accounted for on every play.   Amir Rogers – Rogers filled up the stat sheet last season. He had 33 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery on defense. He was the second leading rusher with 520 yards and five touchdowns on offense.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Luke Huggins QB, 2029 – It's rare for a team to turn over the offense to a freshman but the expectation around Latts is Luke Huggins will be the guy this season. Huggins is likely going to give the Vikings more of a passing threat but he's also a very heady player that will not put them in danger. He has elite arm strength and can move the chains with his feet if needed.   Irangabiye Johnson ATH, 2028 – Iseman said they might give the keys to Johnson to drive the bus on Friday night. He's likely to line up all over the field and contribute in several different ways. He's going to get some carries out of the backfield, he's going to catch passes and he's going to defend passes in the secondary.    Rogers is probably going to find a home in several different areas. His primary spot might be defensive back and that will suit the 5-foot-11, 170-pounder fine. But considering he's been clocked at 21.04 MPH, the Vikings are also going to use him in the backfield and possibly wide receiver He could also factor into the return game as well..

The groundwork is there. The experience is there. There are some younger guys coming along that's going to play prominent roles. Latta football is hoping to have a breakthrough season that has a better finish than the 5-6 record from a year ago.