2026 Preview: Fort Dorchester Patriots

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='2179445' first='Aiden' last='Rutledge'] spent part last week rattling off names of fellow underclassmen teammates who are elevating the collective vibe of Fort Dorchester football.    He spent another few moments re-telling a funny story about mustard that tied it all together.    The Patriots were participating in a camp earlier this month when the sophomore two-way starter started cramping from the combination of workload and summer heat. His coaches told him to swallow a small amount of mustard, and in that instance, a bit of trust and the vinegar in the condiment did the trick.   One small example, Rutledge said, was bigger than a simple hot dog complement.   “Once I actually paid attention and looked at it, it made sense. Everything, all offseason, it was making sense. Even when it came time to the little stuff, it made sense,” Rutledge said during the Prep RedZone Media Day at Philip Simmons. “It's just us working hard, being more disciplined. Being a team. It's more fun. We're more of a team.”   As the Patriots head into the 2026 season, they'll attempt to build off some measured, yet unexpected, success from last fall. They won five games and advanced to the second round of the Class 5A, Division I playoffs.   The fact that they did what they did while playing with what could be described as a junior varsity roster in the state's largest division was big. The fact that most of those youngsters are back this fall is bigger.    Rutledge will be joined by fellow sophomore Ousmane Diarra (left tackle), and a healthy junior class includes the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='1817032' first='Laurez' last='Matthews'] (receiver/corner), [player_tooltip player_id='1818368' first='Devin' last='Gates'] (receiver, safety), [player_tooltip player_id='2072414' first='Amari' last='Dawson'] (corner, receiver) and [player_tooltip player_id='1818365' first='Kameron' last='Geathers'] (defensive line), among others.   They're the nucleus of the team, not simply for the future, but right now.    In many ways, it's a sign of the changes happening in Year 3 of Shaun Lorenzano's tenure and the program learning to overcome some of the early challenges that knocked the team a few spots down the big-class pecking order the last few years.    The most noticeable change might have been the relative lack of attrition issues this offseason compared to a year ago. After the 2024 season, a number of would-be Fort D stars bolted. Following 2025, there was one dedicated starter who sought a new home.   “What we have right now after two seasons is buy in,” Lorenzano said. “From the coaches to the players to the community, they're buying in. Everybody sees the potential we have in these young kids. Culture is huge. In this day and age, where it's I can go here or I can go there, what do I stand for? What is your culture about? Are you about developing kids or just telling kids what they want to hear so they'll come to your program? I don't believe in doing that. I won't make promises like that.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1824413' first='Malachi' last='Nelson'] OL, 2027 (pictured) - Nelson is maybe the primary returner on the offensive side of the ball, as he established himself at right tackle during his junior campaign. He's a high-motor blocker who more than makes up for a sheer amount of size with quick feet and aggressive hands.    [player_tooltip player_id='1817032' first='Laurez' last='Matthews'] WR/DB, 2028 - The team's leading receiver from 2025, Matthews caught 21 passes for 436 yards and five touchdowns. He then used some head-turning offseason performances to garner some significant college offers. Some of that attention is because of what he can do in the return game, where he scored two additional touchdowns as as sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818365' first='Kameron' last='Geathers'] DL, 2028 - Geathers isn't your traditional interior defensive lineman, as he's 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds. But much like Nelson, he uses his more than his measurables to get the job done. He had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a sophomore to go along with his 44 overall tackles.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816262' first='Kasa' last='Milo'] DL, 2028 - Milo didn't appear in every game last fall, but he played more than enough to show everyone what he could be capable of when given more of an opportunity. In just seven games, he put up 18 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two batted-down passes.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1818368' first='Devin' last='Gates'] WR/DB, 2028 - Gates isn't going to get as many eye balls on him as the two receivers likely to get more targets, but that makes him extremely dangerous this fall. Gates can line up in the slot or wide. He's well-versed in finding the soft spot of a defense - especially up the seam - and his primary focus in 2026 will be to extend drives and keep the chains moving.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Savion Garrett LB - The team's top tackler from a season ago finished with 91 total stops, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.    Thomas Wamer DL - The 6-foot-1, 220-pound lineman was arguably the disruptive player on the defense, as he accumulated 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Zion Solomon OL, 2030 - While nothing in set in stone, it appears Fort Dorchester is going to put the ball into the hands of his freshman center this fall. Seeing as the Pats will also be putting out a new starter at quarterback, the learning curve in the snapping game will be vital.   Liam Chapman RB, 2028 - The 5-foot-8 tailback is going to make the jump from the JV team. He should get plenty of carries as the presumed starter, but he can also catch the ball out of the backfield.     Rutledge was biding his time during the 2025 season. Yet he still saw snaps on offense, defense and special teams. Get ready for a whole bunch more during his sophomore season.    Rutledge is slotted to start at receiver and corner, and he's going to be using his explosive speed in the return game, as well. He's undoubtedly one of the leaders of the young core of this program.   By the end of 2026, he may very well be one of the faces of the team.

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.