2026 Preview: Christ Church Cavaliers

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 through 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.   While Christ Church has posted winning records in its first two seasons in Class 3A, Cavaliers coach Quin Hatfield said the program has learned quite a bit during its transition from Class 1A. Some of those lessons have been harder to swallow than others.   Christ Church, which won six Class 1A state championships since 2011 - including titles in 2022 and 2023, went 8-4 last season capped by a heartbreaking loss at Woodruff in the playoffs. The Cavaliers rallied from an 11-point deficit with less than four minutes to play to take a 37-33 lead before falling 40-37.   "The whole competition in 3A is different. We've learned some things we need to do differently within our program from a strength standpoint," Hatfield said. "I think the biggest thing we've taken from the experience is just this idea of 'one more.'   "We were one yard away from putting Powdersville away. We were one stop away from taking down Woodruff and going to the third round. ... With fewer guys, our margins are smaller so we've got to do a little bit more. The guys have bought into that."   To take that next step as a program, Christ Church will undoubtedly count on many steps from standout junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] this season. Coming off a sophomore season in which he was trusted enough to carry the football 257 times, Martin will certainly be leaned on again this year.   "The biggest thing I've told college coaches about him is his durability," Hatfield said. "When you cut on the game film, his 30th carry is as good as his first carry."   Martin credits working out every day with his father and time spent in the weight room as the key to his breakout season last fall. Strength and size he's added has helped him take on the large workload.   "I was 165 (pounds) in January after my freshman season and I played at 185 last year. I'm between 190 and 195 right now," Martin said. "I've just been trying to work hard consistently, whether it's outside doing drills with my dad before school and after school or in the weight room about four days a week. Anything to just get better at my craft."   Martin is joined in the offensive backfield by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] (pictured). Windham took over as starting quarterback last season after starting at linebacker as a sophomore. Hatfield said Windham will play both positions this year.   Windham will be taking snaps from three-year starting center [player_tooltip player_id='1821090' first='Alex' last='Drake'], who Hatfield calls a "glue guy." Drake will also play noseguard this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1821088' first='Nehemiah' last='Lomax'] is another key player that will play alongside Drake on both the offensive and defensive lines.   The Cavaliers must replace standout receiver Jude Hall. [player_tooltip player_id='1823701' first='Hayes' last='Lyman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821096' first='Hampton' last='Shields'] should be two of Windham's top targets this season. Lyman caught 35 passes for 481 yards last year, while Shields had 27 catches for 306 yards.   A bevy of talented linebackers look to lead Christ Church's defense. Those include sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1824557' first='Sam' last='Winburn'] , junior [player_tooltip player_id='1824558' first='Blake' last='Foral'] and seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1628240' first='William' last='Childers'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1821095' first='Banks' last='Horton'] and Windham.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] RB, 2028 - Martin continues what's become a tradition of Christ Church having heavily recruited running backs. After rushing for 1,425 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, the offers really began rolling in.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821090' first='Alex' last='Drake'] C/NG, 2027 - Drake hasn't missed a snap since earning the starting center job in 2024. "He's just a tough guy nicknamed 'Catfish,' " Hatfield said. "The level of camaraderie on the offensive line has been really good the last couple of years and he's going to keep that going."   [player_tooltip player_id='1821095' first='Banks' last='Horton'] LB, 2027 - Horton is looking to build off an all-region season in which he posted a team-high 93 tackles, including five tackles-for-loss and two sacks. The 6-foot, 225-pound inside linebacker also led the team with three interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1628240' first='William' last='Childers'] LB, 2027 - Childers posted 60 tackles last year and was second on the team with eight tackles-for-loss, including one sack. Childers, who could line up at defensive end or inside linebacker, was also a force on special teams with two blocked field goals.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] QB/LB, 2027 - In his first full season at quarterback last year, Windham completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,160 yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also tucked the ball and ran for 346 yards as he doesn't mind bringing that linebacker mentality he built as a sophomore to the QB position. "Trying to run some people over sets a different tone. Our first practice of the season last year, I think I almost started a fight a little bit," Windham said with a smile. "Not a good thing to admit in an interview I suppose, but it gets everyone fired up a little bit more."      BIGGEST LOSSES   Jude Hall - Hall averaged 20.9 yards per reception and finished with 879 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He added a 51-yard touchdown pass to Windham as well. This fall, he will be catching passes for Arkansas.   Rody Barnett - Barnett was a 6-foot-3, 290-pound force on both lines for the Cavaliers. On offense, he posted more than 100 pancake blocks. On defense, he had 60 tackles, including a team-best nine tackles-for-loss. He's now playing at Navy.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jack Bowe LB/OL, 2029 - Bowe is back and ready to go this year after missing all of last season due to a car accident last July. "He's a big, physical kid who's really been on the rise," Hatfield said.   [player_tooltip player_id='1301764' first='Tristan' last='Shell'] DB/WR, 2029 - Shell is a transfer who Hatfield said will start on both sides of the ball this year.    On the rare occasions that [player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] doesn't carry the ball for Christ Church this season, Winburn could be next in line. With a 4.7 time in the 40, it's easy to see why.   Martin's biggest impact will likely come on the defensive side of the ball at outside linebacker or safety. With a deadlift of 400 pounds, Winburn is quite strong, especially for his age and size.   Wherever he lines up and whatever role he fills, Winburn should make an impact.

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 through 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.