2026 Preview: Chesterfield Rams

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.   Chesterfield got off to a good start to the 2025 season only to lose six of its final seven games to finish with a 4-7 record. Four-year starter [player_tooltip player_id='1824028' first='MaQwan' last='Blount'] remembers the end of the season well. The Rams were held scoreless in four of the final five games that ended the first season coach Nick Dixon on a sour note.   But the belief is the Rams played a lot of young players last season and are better suited to finish this year.   “The first goal is to get in the playoffs. Then we have a chance to do some special things. We want to dominate teams,” Blount said at the recent PRZ Media Day at South Florence. “But we have a lot of trust in Coach Dixon. He's been with us since we were in middle school but just became the head coach last year. It's not new. I know his expectations and when to do it and how to do it.”   The Rams have eight starters returning on offense and seven on defense and in that mix are a couple of four-year starters. Blount will be one of those guys in the trenches and [player_tooltip player_id='1367995' first='Emani' last='Welch'] will move from his role of do-everything utility player to the starting quarterback.   Welch took snaps at receiver (team-best 34 receptions for 492 yards), running back, quarterback and safety last year. He's going to keep his role in the secondary as well.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1817677' first='Jullian' last='McClain'] (pictured above) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1606964' first='Greg' last='Rushing'] are going to handle the bulk of the rushing game. McClain averaged 5.2 yards per carry with Rushing going for 720 yards and eight touchdowns. Rushing will play some defense as well and could be an outstanding linebacker if he focused all his time on that side of the ball.   Blount is going to be the cornerstone up front but don't overlook the other four starters. [player_tooltip player_id='1817540' first='Will' last='Evans'] Jahiem Long Ronnie Guinnn and [player_tooltip player_id='1816323' first='Levi' last='Jones'] bring experience and continuity upfront.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817676' first='Holden' last='Lowery'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817539' first='Justin' last='Gaskins'] will be the first options at receiver with tight end Ryan Moten filling a role as well.   The defense allowed just over 34 points per game and needs to decrease that number drastically in 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='1824027' first='Savion' last='Hubbard'] and Owen Faulkenberry will be key at linebacker with [player_tooltip player_id='1817671' first='Averay' last='Moore'] [player_tooltip player_id='1816323' first='Levi' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817542' first='Kent' last='Beaver'] playing a huge role up front in the 3-4 set. [player_tooltip player_id='1824682' first='Brayden' last='Melton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817538' first='Mark' last='Moten'] will log in plenty of minutes in the secondary as well.   Dixon said the learning curve is over and his team needs to go out and execute this season.   “We didn't have seniors or even younger guys that held guys accountable. We feel like we have that going the right way now,” Dixon said. “We have a few four-year starters, and they know the expectations and what needs to be done. We got it started last year and we're ready to meet the challenges.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1367995' first='Emani' last='Welch'] QB, 2027 – Welch has done a little bit of everything for Chesterfield as he moves into his fourth season starting. The transition to quarterback is going to be a change but he's more than up to the challenge. He's got a smooth throwing motion and will help in the running game. One of the big keys will be to protect the ball. He's still going to play a key role in the secondary as well. He had 25 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble a season ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817676' first='Holden' last='Lowery'] WR, 2028 – Lowery is going to slide into the No. 1 receiver role this season. He's coming off a 2025 campaign in which he caught 30 passes for 504 yards and five touchdowns. If he can increase those numbers to around 800 yards, that will mean this Rams offense is cooking. Lowery is on the smaller side, but he played in nine games and has proven to be durable.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824682' first='Brayden' last='Melton'] CB, 2028 – Melton was another youngster that learned under fire last year. He responded with 37 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. He has good size at 6-foot, 170 pounds and he comes downhill quickly. He doesn't mind laying the leather and that aggressive style should work well playing free safety. Melton can sneak up and add another defender in the box or drop in coverage and play a centerfielder type.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817677' first='Jullian' last='McClain'] RB, 2027 (pictured above) – McClain is going to offer a solid 1-2 punch with Rushing in the backfield. McClain tied for the team lead with eight rushing touchdowns and his 491 yards was second on the team. Until Welch can get comfortable at quarterback, there's a good chance the Rams will lean on the big offensive line and the rushing attack. McClain only played in seven games so keeping him healthy and available could easily see his numbers double from last year.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1824028' first='MaQwan' last='Blount'] OL, 2027- Blount is going to be a four-year starter. He's 5-foot-11, 280 pounds and plays the left guard position as it's supposed to be played. He is at ease blocking interior linemen as well as trapping and pulling to get out ahead of a play on the edge. He's aggressive and can overpower defenders at times. He might be a better run blocker than pass protector, but he can get the job done in either situation. Blount is able to push around lineman and linebackers, sometimes with ease.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Bryce Adams QB – Adams took the bulk of the snaps at quarterback last season and threw for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns but with 12 interceptions. He ran for 140 yards and four scores.   Sincere Hubbard LB – Hubbard finished with 111 total tackles with an interception and a fumble recovery. He was a playmaker all over the field and was always an encouragement for his teammates.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Owen Faulkenberry LB, 2028 – Faulkenberry played in seven games last year and contributed 16 tackles and a fumble recovery. He's going to play a huge role in making calls for the defense and should be a fixture over the next two seasons. He's gotten bigger since last season and that was one of the goals of the coaching staff this offseason. Faulkenberry could bulk up even more and not lose any of his quickness.         [player_tooltip player_id='1817671' first='Averay' last='Moore'] DE, 2029 – Moore played in six games on the varsity level but he's inline to play a much bigger role this season. He's 6-foot and 190 pounds and will give the Rams a talented Edge rushing in the 3-4 scheme. Moore fights well at the line of scrimmage and can blow past bigger tackles with his speed. Dixon is going to need Moore and [player_tooltip player_id='1824027' first='Savion' last='Hubbard'] to be forces on the edge.    Let's just say Rushing came on the scene with a splash. He ended up taking the main role in the backfield and held it for most of the season. He was the leading rusher last season with 720 yards and eight touchdowns.   He's a slasher and can make defenders miss at the point of attack. Rushing has enough power to run through an arm tackle as well. His vision and cutting ability is also above average. He also catches the ball well coming out of the backfield. Don't be surprised if he sees even more time on defense this season.

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.