2026 Preview: Cross Trojans

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.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820227' first='Mah'Ky' last='Green'] was already in midseason form.   The all-state Cross tailback was answering a question about final preparation for 2026 and he perfectly mixed both the global view of the program and the finite points of concentration.   “We've got to think about how we lost and what we can make better,” Green said at the Prep RedZone at Philip Simmons earlier this month. “Wrapping up and tackling was a problem.”   But at the same time, the Trojans have the knowledge that they're anything but bottom feeders, right?   “The confidence is coming from our coaches, our family around us telling us what we can take care of to get over the hump,” he continued. “We've got to attend practice, work hard, gain weight and get some muscle on us.”   Such is the way for players in a program that has won more games than the vast majority of the state over the course of the last four seasons but hasn't won the big one. The Trojans' recent runs included 11-win campaigns in 2022, 2023 and last fall, as well as a 12-win year in 2024. That's 45 victories - including every region contest - over a relative short period of time.   Does Shaun Wright's team have double-digit wins written on it again this fall?    It sure feels like it.    Green will enter his senior season having already rushed for more than 3,000 career yards and 37 touchdowns. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1819661' first='Tyler' last='Harris'] has thrown for at least 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons while starting every game. The offensive line has some size in [player_tooltip player_id='1640695' first='Dakarai' last='President'] (left guard), and the receiving corps has some talented pass catchers in Jimmy Smith (2027) and Bernard Middleton (2028). Defensive standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] (defensive end), [player_tooltip player_id='1422583' first='Khalil' last='Levine'] (middle linebacker) have picked up all-region honors at least once in their careers, and two-way starters such as Smith shouldn't be overlooked for what they can do on that side of the ball.    It's part of the reason Cross can say that it is bringing back 17 starters combined on offense and defense. And all that experience is used to one thing.   Winning.   The Trojans will do so again this fall. It's only a matter of how much.   And that's where Wright's philosophy on how to address success comes into play.    “We don't ever talk about state championships. We don't talk about region championships,” he said. “The expectation in our program has always been about winning the day. That has not changed. We take things day by day. The kids understand what we want as far as coaches the level we want at practice. We don't dress many. Those kids understand we have to be in supreme shape. They understand that games in the fourth quarter, we need to win those, regardless of the numbers on our team. If you can bring your own luggage and you can do your job every single day, you're going to give us a chance to be successful on a Friday.   “We don't want to disrespect the season by talking about state championships. There's so much that goes into that. We just want to plug along.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1820227' first='Mah'Ky' last='Green'] RB, 2027 - After two seasons of back-up duty, Green took over the primary role and rushed for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns while catching another 10 passes for 131 yards and two more scores. The increase on offense meant he didn't play as much defense. But keep in mind that when push comes to shove, Green can line up at corner or safety, where he's got a couple picks and 29 tackles under his belt the last two years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] DL/OL, 2027 - Broughton is the tone-setter for the defense. The team's 3-4 scheme works because of how well he can shrink the field. He knows he usually has an outside backer hovering behind him, but that player is typically more of a safety valve because of how solid Broughton is. Last fall, he had 84 tackles and 16 tackles, both of which were second only to a now-graduated teammate.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819661' first='Tyler' last='Harris'] QB, 2027 - As we've written multiple times, Harris has made tremendous strides over the last two years. His passing efficiency improved nearly 13 full points from his sophomore season and he cut his interceptions in half, from 10 to five last fall. He's a true student of the game and knows when a tight squeeze is necessary and when it's not.   Jimmy Smith LB/TE/LS, 2027 (pictured) - Smith has turned into a jack of all trades for Cross. While he tends to use his time on offense primarily as a blocker, he added five receptions for 93 yards. He also handles long-snapping duties, in part because of how adept he is in pursuit. We saw that part when he's on defense, where he was fourth on the team with 57 total stops last season.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1422583' first='Khalil' last='Levine'] LB, 2027 - Levine is one of the key components to this year's team, and we're not simply talking about him being one of the Trojans' more consistent defensive players, adding a boost to the offense in specific tailback packages or the time he spends on special teams. Levine adds some swagger with his approach to the game. Be in blowing up plays behind the line or putting an opposing linebacker on his back near the goal line, Cross will want Levine at his best this fall.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Caden Ramsey ATH - The now-University of South Carolina player wrapped up his illustrious career by catching 55 passes for 778 yards and nine touchdowns, rushing for another six scores and piling up 54 tackles and seven interceptions last fall as a senior.   Michael Bennett DL - Bennett's 98 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2025 were all at the top of the team lead for each category.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Bernard Middleton DB/WR, 2028 - Middleton spent a considerable amount of time gaining valuable experience last season. In the process, he put up 25 tackles and recovered a fumble.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818596' first='Jakobe' last='Jones'] LB, 2028 - Jones was often overlooked last fall amid a star-studded defense, but his sophomore numbers (44 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble) tell us he was ready to add to the Trojans' haul. He's set up even better for his junior season.    Opposite Middleton, Wright will be the other corner starting for Cross. Of course, Caden Ramsey graduating will put more pressure on them both, but there's also a reason Wright is already ranked. He enters his junior season with three career interceptions in 22 game. He missed some time last fall in the middle of the season - when the Trojans are traditionally feasting on overmatched opponents and loading up on individual production - but he was still effective both before and after.

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.