2026 Preview: East Clarendon Wolverines

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.   For most programs, a trip to the second round of the playoffs is a successful season.   At East Clarendon, they'd like to stop making it the end of the campaign. The steps to do so are already being taken.    “It all comes down to the summer,” senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822284' first='Walker' last='Kirby'] said at the Prep RedZone Media Day on July 26, “getting better in the summer, getting stronger, faster, and in better condition. When football season hits, it's about being focused on practices and locked in for all the games.”   For three consecutive seasons, the Wolverines have seen their season end during the second weekend of the playoffs. Despite winning 17 games over the past two years, the best two-season stretch for the program since 1991-92, East Clarendon hasn't advanced past the second round in 30 years.   However, there are pieces in place for the Wolverines to possibly break through the second-round glass ceiling.    Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2106756' first='Skyler' last='Cornelius'] burst onto the scene last year (754 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) as a tailback while also starting in the secondary. Kirby will help pave the way up front from his left tackle as he anchors an offensive line with promising young talent, including rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1823381' first='Koy' last='Wright'] at left guard. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1819759' first='Colten' last='Baker'] is projected to start at center, giving the Wolverines another veteran running the show in the trenches.    There is double trouble for East Clarendon in the defensive backfield as the twins [player_tooltip player_id='1819755' first='Picasso' last='Brown'] (31 tackles, 2 INTs) and [player_tooltip player_id='1810979' first='Braylon' last='Brown'] are back to patrol the secondary for their senior seasons. On the defensive line, rising sophomore defensive Avery Lowery will team with a motivated rising junior nose guard in [player_tooltip player_id='1822287' first='Jesse' last='Floyd'] to lead a defense that allowed more than 20 points just once last season en route to an 11.8 points per game allowed average.    “I didn't make all-region last year,” Floyd said. “I just felt like I was looked down on. I'm coming for it this year.”   With 16 returning starters, including nine on offense, head coach Larry Cornelius heads into his fourth season with an experienced team that has helped build the program back and is primed to take the next step. East Clarendon won just five games from 2020-22, but now the Wolverines are hungry for more.    “It's going to be very challenging,” said Cornelius of East Clarendon's new home in Region VI-AA, which includes Dillon and Marlboro County, “but I like being under the radar. I think a lot of teams are going to take us for granted even though we did win nine games last year, even though we've been in the second round of the playoffs for three straight years. To get over the hump, we've just got to keep our blue-collar mentality and work our butts off in the weight room.”   His team, led by its high-profile returners, is eager to experience extended playoff success.   “We've made it to the second round too easy,” said [player_tooltip player_id='2106756' first='Skyler' last='Cornelius']. “We should be pushing past that at this point.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='2106756' first='Skyler' last='Cornelius'] RB/DB, 2029 – Not even his own father (who just so happens to be his head coach) could've predicted the type of freshman season Cornelius had. With double-digit touchdowns on offense, two interceptions on defense, and all-region recognition, Cornelius won't catch anyone by surprise this season. With an offseason in the weight room and more familiarity with the Wolverines' schemes, it may not matter.    Avery Lowery DE/OL, 2027 – Another rising sophomore who made an immediate impact in his first season of varsity action, Lowery turned heads with his play on the defensive line. Lowery already boasts impressive size and could find himself on the radar of power programs if he produces again this fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822284' first='Walker' last='Kirby'] (pictured) OL, 2027 – Kirby enters his third year starting at left tackle as the Wolverines' unquestioned leader up front. With excellent feet and power, Kirby is a legitimate prospect at the next level and is a great asset for a team eager to put the ball in the hands of its star running back.     [player_tooltip player_id='1819755' first='Picasso' last='Brown'] DB/RB, 2027 – East Clarendon has more than just Cornelius in the backfield. While he showed out at safety last season, allowing just seven catches on 31 targets, Brown also made plenty of plays at tailback and is a quality second option. He averaged a touchdown every 7.5 carries through the Wolverines' first six games last season.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1810979' first='Braylon' last='Brown'] DB, 2027 – Brown is a fluid cornerback with natural instincts, which are apparent when you turn on his film. His ability to high point the ball helps him get the most out of his 5-foot-8 frame. He also possesses enough quickness to break on routes without jumping them early. If you do get behind him, don't let up; Brown's speed and ability to chase down ball carriers means he's never completely out of a play.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Michael Woods DL/OL – Woods was one of the Wolverines' top tacklers in 2026 and also a veteran member of the offensive line. His presence helped free up fellow linemen like Floyd and Lowery.    Jaylon Barron ATH – Not only was Barron a force at defensive end, but he was also a powerful blocker on the offensive line as well. Add in his multiple blocked kicks on special teams and the Wolverines are losing an impact player in all three phases.   UP-AND-COMING TALENT   Easton Donion WR/DB, 2029 – Donion made plays as a freshman in the receiving game and should be an even bigger part of the offense as a sophomore. He's also projected to start at cornerback opposite Brown.    [player_tooltip player_id='1823381' first='Koy' last='Wright'] OL 2029 – Wright was thrust into a starting role due to injuries last season and performed admirably. His physicality stood out and he should help create a strong left side of the offensive line when teamed with Kirby.    Floyd produced plenty of stops and tackle for loss from his defensive end position last year, including a 3.0-TFL performance in the playoffs against Lake Marion. This season, his move to nose guard means teams won't be able to run away from him as easily.    With Lowery at one end and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1817962' first='Shamar' last='Graham'] at the other, East Clarendon's defensive line is imposing. Floyd should get plenty of chances to impact games from the middle of the trenches this fall.

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.