2026 Preview: Crescent Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a>&nbsp;and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans']</strong> didn't start out playing quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crescent's QB was originally a linebacker. You can see a little bit of that attitude in his play. What you can also see is a skillset that's turned him into one of the top dual-threat senior QBs in the state. And he's only getting better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's a lot of fun," Evans said of his growth into the QB position. "I do feel like I'm becoming a better quarterback, and I'm just enjoying all of the work along the way."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That, and a slew of returners, has Crescent excited about the 2026 campaign. The Tigers have 14 total starters back, including eight on the defensive side of the ball from a team that finished second in the region to the eventual Upper State champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I feel pretty good about that, especially on defense," Tigers coach Sheldon Evans said. "We run the stack and we've got our entire box back, so we should be pretty good there."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That defensive group in the box includes DL <strong>Jesse Howard</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820520' first='Ethan' last='Gracely']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817576' first='Lane' last='Honeycutt']</strong> along with LBs <strong>Austin Whitcomb</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825300' first='Ryder' last='King']</strong>, and <strong>Zack Lampus</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820522' first='Jace' last='Devlin']</strong> and the do-everything <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604055' first='Hunter' last='Dale']</strong> are back at OLB, and the dynamic <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817636' first='Nyleek' last='Geer-Harrison']</strong> returns at safety. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823093' first='Daniel' last='Morales']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823092' first='Braxton' last='Tillman']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820521' first='Ridge' last='Purvis']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820523' first='Tinsley' last='Evans']</strong> all return up front. The experience-heavy line is focused on leading the way in making the Tigers' offense click.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It's just making sure that everyone is completing their assignment with 100 percent effort and execution," Purvis said. "We're just kind of taking it on ourselves to let the everybody know that for the seniors this is our last time. There's no other time than now to put in the work."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans']</strong> QB, 2027 (pictured) - Evans emerged as one of the top dual-threat QBs in the state a year ago, with 3,200 yards of combined offense and 45 total touchdowns. He's getting better and better in the pocket, but it's the things he can do when he's on the move that really set him apart. The Eagles' leading rusher a year ago, Evans might need to take an even bigger role on the ground as new RBs step up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817636' first='Nyleek' last='Geer-Harrison'] </strong>WR, 2027 - Geer-Harrison was already a defensive leader for the Tigers, with 59 tackles and three interceptions last season. He's back at safety this season, but he's also expected to take on a bigger offensive role thanks to some departures at WR due to graduation. He'll be one of Evans' go-to guys, and his skill set will serve him well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820522' first='Jace' last='Devlin']</strong> OLB/RB, 2027 - Sheldon Evans said when Crescent's staff saw their standout OLB run the ball on scout team, they became determined to get it in his hands. It will be interesting to watch Devlin grow into the role, while still playing a big part on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820521' first='Ridge' last='Purvis'] </strong>OL, 2027 - Purvis is one of the leaders of a veteran, solid offensive line. With four returners penciled into the starting lineup and a sense of urgency that the seniors' time is now to take advantage of Crescent's talent, Purvis and company will be key. He's strong with great footwork, and he's the kind of lineman who never seems to quit on a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604055' first='Hunter' last='Dale']</strong> OLB/WR, 2027 - Evans pays Dale one of the highest compliments a coach can give out: "He's just a nasty little football player". One look at what Dale's able to do on both sides of the ball proves that's right, as does Dale's own assessment of his game. "I hate to lose more than I love to win," he said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19481935/68fcc74fed74bf53822accc6u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4d4314734e6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amiri Acker</strong> - A dynamic player in space, Acker was the Tigers' key offensive weapon with more than 1,600 yards of total offense and 18 offensive touchdowns, adding a return touchdown to the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kevin Hatten</strong> - Hatten was second on the team in rushing and by far the most productive RB. He had nearly 1,000 yards and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825300' first='Ryder' last='King'] </strong>LB, 2028 - King had 18 tackles and a sack as a sophomore, and is on track for a much bigger role on the defense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tony Tinch</strong> OL 2028 - As the lone new face on the offensive line, a lot will be expected of Tinch. He'll have a lot of senior leadership to rely on, and should be more than capable of stepping up to fill his role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2177579"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2127347,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a4d431475c8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evans is incredibly high on Deveaux's potential, saying that he's really excited about the wrinkle his speed is going to bring to the offense. He contributed some last season, but will have to take on a much bigger role to help lead the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He looks more than capable, as he's turned in some good work in the offseason and looks ready to embrace what's in store this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->