2026 Preview: Academic Magnet Raptors

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   Academic Magnet opened in the 1980's and started playing varsity football in the early 2000's without much success. Sure, there's been a winning record here and there but one thing the Raptors have never done is win a postseason contest.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1604010' first='Caleb' last='Parrish'] would like to end that stigma before he departs for the college ranks.   “Having never won a playoff game, it's tough but we think from our freshman year to now, the team has grown exponentially,” Parrish said at the recent PRZ Media Day at Philip Simmons. “Coach (Austin) Miller has put in the building blocks, and we feel like we've put in more work the last two seasons than any other time in school history. Winning a playoff game would be a great reward for the hard work to pay off.”   The Raptors were ousted in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons. They enter a new Class 2A region with Battery Creek, Lake Marion, Philip Simmons, Timberland and Woodland. If they can qualify for the playoffs again, it will be the first time in school history they've made the postseason three consecutive years.   Miller knows finishing higher in the region and earning a better seed is going to be key.   “The expectations are high. Now it's time to take that next step,” Miller said. “We're never won a playoff game in school history and that is definitely a goal for this group.”   There are pieces to build around. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1821469' first='Owen' last='George'] accounted for 2,000 yards of total offense and is the unquestioned leader on that side of the ball. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1811126' first='Cole' last='Ivey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816700' first='Samba' last='Diallo'] are looking to have a solid year and take some of the pressure off George. Ivey was injured for much of last season, but he's been called one of the hardest workers on the team.   The receivers and tight end spots are still up for grabs and there might be several players contributing in those spots before the season ends.   The offensive line is a veteran group that has gotten a lot stronger and more conditioned this offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='1816174' first='Logan' last='Kane-Eames'] (pictured above) is the starting center, and he will be flanked by [player_tooltip player_id='1824719' first='Lowden' last='Scarlett'] and Eli Ellington on one side and Vinny Porto and [player_tooltip player_id='1824171' first='Simon' last='Halberda'] on the other.   The defense is likely the strength of the team right now. It starts with a linebacker core of [player_tooltip player_id='1818010' first='Sam' last='Peters'] [player_tooltip player_id='1818015' first='Johnny' last='Rose'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825534' first='Jonathan' last='Boone'] that are capable of making plays all over the field. Peters and Rose combined for nearly 200 tackles last season.   Edges [player_tooltip player_id='1817545' first='Andrew' last='Severs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816173' first='Will' last='Slenzak'] are quick and able to make plays in the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='1818009' first='Mukisa' last='Donaldson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1825536' first='Will' last='Granata'] finished strong in the weight room and that will help in trying to limit the interior run game of opposing teams.   Parrish is back at safety with Liam Rust playing the other safety spot. [player_tooltip player_id='1821470' first='Anson' last='Harrison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824168' first='Tripp' last='Bates'] are the likely starter cornerbacks on a defense that must create more turnovers in 2026.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1821469' first='Owen' last='George'] QB, 2027 – George has been called the life blood of the team and if you look at his numbers from a season ago, you can see why. He rushed for 1,334 yards and 19 touchdowns and added 706 passing yards and four touchdowns. There' every reason to believe he can top the 1,000-yard mark in both categories this season. He's improved as a passer and he's fearless as a runner and doesn't mind running through or around guys.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816174' first='Logan' last='Kane-Eames'] (pictured above) OL, 2027 – Kane-Eames was one of the stronger players on the team last season and that helped. He's the starting center at 5-foor-10, around 215 pounds. He gives up size in most situations, but he makes up for that with effort and technique. He's accurate with his snaps and fires off the ball to open up lanes in the running game. Pass protection was a huge focus in the offseason but the entire offensive line has made strides with Kane-Eames leading the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818015' first='Johnny' last='Rose'] LB, 2028 – Rose was part of a linebacker tandem that led the defense last season. He contributed 74 tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt. He's been in the weight room religiously in the offseason and him bulking up is going to help the rigors of the season. Rose is quick and decisive, letting his instincts take over a lot of plays. He could easily flirt with the 100-tackle mark after gaining a ton of experience as a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821470' first='Anson' last='Harrison'] DB, 2027 – Harrison is going to be counted on heavily in the secondary. He had 15 tackles and an interception as a junior but he's going to need to be more aggressive in supporting stopping the run. He's a taller corner with good hips that can stay with wide receivers. Harrison can play man or zone and usually makes good decisions in the open field.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1811126' first='Cole' last='Ivey'] RB, 2027 – Ivey is returning from injury that saw his junior season limited to just five games. He gained 144 yards with a touchdown and added five receptions to go along with eight tackles on defense. He's going to have to take some of the pressure off George in the running game and become a mainstay in the rushing attack if the expectations are for the Raptors to win that first-ever playoff game. He shows solid lateral movement and the ability to read situations well.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Campbell Stoklosa ATH – Stoklosa was a player that you could plug in just about anywhere and he could contribute. He took snaps at quarterback and wide receiver as well as defensive back, where he had 34 tackles in just seven games.   Cameron Leach OL/DL – Leach was a two-way contributor that finished with 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a sack. He provided some of the senior leadership on a team that only had six seniors a season ago.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1825534' first='Jonathan' last='Boone'] LB, 2029 – Boone saw action in six games as a freshman and contributed 11 tackles while getting his feet wet on the varsity level. He's going to join a talented linebacker group and have an opportunity to make plenty of plays. He needs to bulk up but his speed and quickness allow him to run down plays from nearly anywhere on the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824719' first='Lowden' last='Scarlett'] OL, 2028 – The Raptors made a huge commitment to the weight room in the offseason and Scarlett seems to have benefitted from that. He played at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds last season but he's up over 200 pounds but can still use his quickness when needed. It's part of an experienced offensive line that will hopefully open bigger and larger holes this season.      Peters was an Honorable Mention All-State and it's easy to see why. He played in the middle and finished with a team-best 114 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery.   He plays with a high-motor and finds himself near the football on nearly every play. The defense is built around the production from the linebacker spot, and we don't see any reason Peters can't top the 100-tackle mark again.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.