2026 Preview: Florence Christian Eagles

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Florence Christian was on the doorstep of the SCISA AAA state championship last fall.    This autumn, the Eagles will need to have some new faces step up if they want to kick the door down, but don't feel sorry for FCS.    “I think we're going to have a good run this year," linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Hayden' last='Schwab'] said at last month's PrepRedZone Media Day at South Florence. “Definitely have all the pieces coming back.”   While eight seniors graduated and multiple players relocated during the offseason, the Eagles should still be in the thick of the hunt for a state title, thanks in large part to 13 returning starters, most of whom having been in the lineup for multiple years. Having a three-year starter back at quarterback should certainly help as rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1821459' first='Riley' last='Minton'] will be at the helm of the offense under the watchful eye of his father, head coach Neil Minton.   “He's improved a lot the past few years,” said running back [player_tooltip player_id='1821452' first='Andrew' last='Miller']. “He's really good at getting the ball out. As long as our offensive line does what it's supposed to do, we won't have problems with sacks. He reads RPOs really well, he's just a good quarterback.”   Having Miller, a rising senior who nearly hit the 1,000-yard mark on the ground last season, back at running back should give the Eagles a dependable ground game. On the perimeter, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1825527' first='Jaxon' last='Nealey'] is expected to lead a receiving corps with the most size it has possessed in recent memory, while rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1824713' first='Benjamin' last='Sims, Jr.'] could emerge as a top target in the passing attack. Protecting Minton is a veteran offensive line that is expected to start two seniors and three juniors, highlighted by [player_tooltip player_id='1821454' first='Landon' last='Simmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1821457' first='Preston' last='Fowler'] at the tackles.    The Eagle defense runs through Schwab, the reigning Region II Defensive Player of the Year who posted 97 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a junior and has made speed the focal point of his offseason training.   “I just want to get quicker,” Schwab said, “quicker at reading the play, quicker at making tackles. I want to be able to make those plays when they're needed in the backfield.”   Schwab won't be the only defender offenses must account for, as he'll join rising juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1821456' first='Sullivan' last='Hardy'] (47 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss last year) and [player_tooltip player_id='1824156' first='Brayden' last='Berry'] to create a fearsome linebacking corps for Florence Christian. The Eagles will have experience up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1824157' first='Daley' last='Winburn'] (38 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks) and Fowler, a third-year starter in the trenches, anchoring an all-upperclassmen front four.    Nealy and Sims will partner at safety for the Eagles, while rising freshman Cooper Poston will be a name to watch at cornerback as FCS lost four defensive backs off last year's team.   While expectations for Florence Christian will be high once more, the Eagles aren't getting caught up in the hype that surrounds their 2026 season.   “We coach day by day,” said head coach Neil Minton. “That's how we want to approach things. Our identity doesn't come from wins and losses. We want to be the best versions of ourselves and that will give us the best version of our team.”   Day by day may be the approach, but the Eagles are aware of their potential down the road.   “We know that we can really go far,” said Schwab. “We've all gotten stronger, faster. I think we've got a pretty good run and a pretty good look at it this year.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1127312' first='Hayden' last='Schwab'] LB/DL, 2027 (pictured) – Schwab was the region's best defensive player last season and there is no reason to expect he won't be again in 2026. A physical force with spectacular instincts, Schwab can be a gamechanger for Florence Christian. Opposing defenses will likely have to account for him as well, as the Eagle plan to also utilize him at tight end and wide receiver when possible.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821452' first='Andrew' last='Miller'] RB, 2027 – Miller has been a workhorse for FCS throughout his career and he should enjoy a fairly high usage rate again in his senior campaign. The Eagles' main rushing threat will also see time at linebacker, but his ability to help grind out games on the ground is where he'll bring the most value.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821457' first='Preston' last='Fowler'] OL/DL, 2028 – Fowler enters his third year as a starter at tackle for Florence Christian and finished his sophomore season with 5.0 tackles for loss from his defensive line position. The Eagles will need Fowler to move folks around again on both sides of the ball and all indications are that the rising junior is up to the task.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821459' first='Riley' last='Minton'] QB, 2028 – Minton will be entrusted to do more in the offense as a junior after throwing for 978 yards and four touchdowns during his sophomore season. Minton's knowledge of the offense is critical to Florence Christian's success and he should see more opportunities to make plays this year.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1824157' first='Daley' last='Winburn'] DL, 2028 – An undersized defensive lineman, Winburn's coach says he could just as easily be playing running back for the Eagles. Turn on the tape and you see why. His first step off the line is explosive and his ability to close quickly on ball carriers makes him even more dangerous in pursuit. Add in a willingness to get physical at the point of attack and you see why Winburn should be a key piece of Florence Christian's front four.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Brooks Poston WR/CB – Poston not only led a veteran secondary and was a reliable target for Minton, but he also handled kicking duties for the Eagles. Players who make such an impact in all three phases are hard to replace.   Pierce Boykin DE – Boykin was a menace from his defensive end position last fall, racking up 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. Florence Christian will need to quickly find a replacement for the team's second-leading tackler in 2025.    UP-AND-COMING TALENT   [player_tooltip player_id='1824156' first='Brayden' last='Berry'] LB/TE, 2028 – Berry will be able to operate in Schwab's shadow at linebacker, which could create a lot of playmaking possibilities as teams try to avoid FCS's main defensive standout. At tight end, Berry should continue to be targeted as the team's top returning receiver.   Cooper Poston DB 2030 – The only freshman in the Eagles' projected starting lineup, Poston's athleticism has turned heads during the offseason. With a high football IQ, he should help ease the pain of four departures from the FCS defensive backfield last year.    After playing sparingly as a freshman, Sims enters his sophomore season as a starter on both sides of the ball. His quickness and agility should help him make an immediate impact on the perimeter.   Sims should shine primarily on offense and has the potential to put up big yards-after-catch numbers in the Eagle offense. Defenses should approach with caution.

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.

Florence Christian was on the doorstep of the SCISA AAA state championship last fall.

This autumn, the Eagles will need to have some new faces step up if they want to kick the door down, but don't feel sorry for FCS.

“I think we're going to have a good run this year," linebacker Hayden Schwab Hayden Schwab 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB/DL Florence Christian | 2027 State SC said at last month's PrepRedZone Media Day at South Florence. “Definitely have all the pieces coming back.”

While eight seniors graduated and multiple players relocated during the offseason, the Eagles should still be in the thick of the hunt for a state title, thanks in large part to 13 returning starters, most of whom having been in the lineup for multiple years. Having a three-year starter back at quarterback should certainly help as rising junior Riley Minton Riley Minton Florence Christian | 2028 SC will be at the helm of the offense under the watchful eye of his father, head coach Neil Minton.

“He's improved a lot the past few years,” said running back Andrew Miller Andrew Miller 5'11" Florence Christian | 2027 SC . “He's really good at getting the ball out. As long as our offensive line does what it's supposed to do, we won't have problems with sacks. He reads RPOs really well, he's just a good quarterback.”

Having Miller, a rising senior who nearly hit the 1,000-yard mark on the ground last season, back at running back should give the Eagles a dependable ground game. On the perimeter, senior Jaxon Nealey Jaxon Nealey Florence Christian | 2027 SC is expected to lead a receiving corps with the most size it has possessed in recent memory, while rising sophomore Benjamin Sims Benjamin Sims 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB/WR Florence Christian | 2029 State SC could emerge as a top target in the passing attack. Protecting Minton is a veteran offensive line that is expected to start two seniors and three juniors, highlighted by Landon Simmons Landon Simmons 6'0" Florence Christian | 2027 SC and Preston Fowler Preston Fowler Florence Christian | 2028 SC at the tackles.

The Eagle defense runs through Schwab, the reigning Region II Defensive Player of the Year who posted 97 tackles and 11.5 sacks as a junior and has made speed the focal point of his offseason training.

“I just want to get quicker,” Schwab said, “quicker at reading the play, quicker at making tackles. I want to be able to make those plays when they're needed in the backfield.”

Schwab won't be the only defender offenses must account for, as he'll join rising juniors Sullivan Hardy Sullivan Hardy Florence Christian | 2028 SC (47 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss last year) and Brayden Berry Brayden Berry Florence Christian | 2028 SC to create a fearsome linebacking corps for Florence Christian. The Eagles will have experience up front with Daley Winburn Daley Winburn Florence Christian | 2028 SC (38 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks) and Fowler, a third-year starter in the trenches, anchoring an all-upperclassmen front four.

Nealy and Sims will partner at safety for the Eagles, while rising freshman Cooper Poston will be a name to watch at cornerback as FCS lost four defensive backs off last year's team.

While expectations for Florence Christian will be high once more, the Eagles aren't getting caught up in the hype that surrounds their 2026 season.

“We coach day by day,” said head coach Neil Minton. “That's how we want to approach things. Our identity doesn't come from wins and losses. We want to be the best versions of ourselves and that will give us the best version of our team.”

Day by day may be the approach, but the Eagles are aware of their potential down the road.

“We know that we can really go far,” said Schwab. “We've all gotten stronger, faster. I think we've got a pretty good run and a pretty good look at it this year.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Hayden Schwab Hayden Schwab 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB/DL Florence Christian | 2027 State SC LB/DL, 2027 (pictured) – Schwab was the region's best defensive player last season and there is no reason to expect he won't be again in 2026. A physical force with spectacular instincts, Schwab can be a gamechanger for Florence Christian. Opposing defenses will likely have to account for him as well, as the Eagle plan to also utilize him at tight end and wide receiver when possible.

Andrew Miller Andrew Miller 5'11" Florence Christian | 2027 SC RB, 2027 – Miller has been a workhorse for FCS throughout his career and he should enjoy a fairly high usage rate again in his senior campaign. The Eagles' main rushing threat will also see time at linebacker, but his ability to help grind out games on the ground is where he'll bring the most value.

Preston Fowler Preston Fowler Florence Christian | 2028 SC OL/DL, 2028 – Fowler enters his third year as a starter at tackle for Florence Christian and finished his sophomore season with 5.0 tackles for loss from his defensive line position. The Eagles will need Fowler to move folks around again on both sides of the ball and all indications are that the rising junior is up to the task.

Riley Minton Riley Minton Florence Christian | 2028 SC QB, 2028 – Minton will be entrusted to do more in the offense as a junior after throwing for 978 yards and four touchdowns during his sophomore season. Minton's knowledge of the offense is critical to Florence Christian's success and he should see more opportunities to make plays this year.

FILM REVIEW

Daley Winburn Daley Winburn Florence Christian | 2028 SC DL, 2028 – An undersized defensive lineman, Winburn's coach says he could just as easily be playing running back for the Eagles. Turn on the tape and you see why. His first step off the line is explosive and his ability to close quickly on ball carriers makes him even more dangerous in pursuit. Add in a willingness to get physical at the point of attack and you see why Winburn should be a key piece of Florence Christian's front four.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Brooks Poston WR/CB – Poston not only led a veteran secondary and was a reliable target for Minton, but he also handled kicking duties for the Eagles. Players who make such an impact in all three phases are hard to replace.

Pierce Boykin DE – Boykin was a menace from his defensive end position last fall, racking up 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. Florence Christian will need to quickly find a replacement for the team's second-leading tackler in 2025.

UP-AND-COMING TALENT

Brayden Berry Brayden Berry Florence Christian | 2028 SC LB/TE, 2028 – Berry will be able to operate in Schwab's shadow at linebacker, which could create a lot of playmaking possibilities as teams try to avoid FCS's main defensive standout. At tight end, Berry should continue to be targeted as the team's top returning receiver.

Cooper Poston DB 2030 – The only freshman in the Eagles' projected starting lineup, Poston's athleticism has turned heads during the offseason. With a high football IQ, he should help ease the pain of four departures from the FCS defensive backfield last year.