2026 Preview: Kingstree Blazers

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.   Kingstree starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1825539' first='Randy' last='McFadden'] hears the whispers and is ready to prove the naysayers wrong. The Blazers are coming off a 4-7 record during coach Brandon Cantrell's first season in 2025 but are ready to take that next step this year.   They have five returning starters on offense and six on defense but have several players ready to step in to fill that void.   “We have some new key players, and we must get the ball in their hands and let them make plays,” McFadden said at the recent PRZ Media Day at South Florence. “We're underdogs and not a lot of people think we can do it but it's time to show that we can.”   McFadden has had a solid offseason and is ready to lead. Athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] is going to garner a lot of attention for all-star game consideration. His best position is going to be outside linebacker but he's also going to help from his tight end/H-Back position on offense.   The receiving room is loaded with [player_tooltip player_id='1824725' first='Meltrin' last='Segars'] Joh'Metrius Chandler and [player_tooltip player_id='1287466' first='Landon' last='Hannah'] set up to be the starters, but there will be plenty of help from others. Jayquan Cochran and [player_tooltip player_id='1824175' first='Quentin' last='Frazier'] will provide depth and big-play ability to the rotation.   A solid offseason in the weight room is going to help but in the trenches is where Kingstree came up short last season. Cantrell believes things will be better this season.   He has building blocks with Lazarus Moyd [player_tooltip player_id='1819384' first='Maurice' last='Burgess'] Kinnard Irving [player_tooltip player_id='1819052' first='Torr'cari' last='Smith'] and Charleek Nesmith leading the way on both sides of the ball.   “We're seeing increases in the weight room and that is going to build confidence because they can see themselves getting stronger,” Cantrell said. “We need to make that correlate on the field.”   Jaward Scott is likely to go into the season as the primary running back and he's also going to join a linebacker group that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1821472' first='Mark' last='Pickard'] (pictured above) [player_tooltip player_id='2116526' first='Jaylen' last='Williams'] Dukes and Chandler among others. The secondary should see Segars and Frazier leading the way with [player_tooltip player_id='1819051' first='Brenton' last='Epps'] Breeton McClary and Tyeric Scott joining the rotation as well.   “We still have a lot to improve on both offense and defense,” Dukes said. “But I think we will be able to throw the ball better this year and that will help us be more explosive. The defense is going to be better as well. We have some guys that will be able to make plays and build on what we did last season.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1825539' first='Randy' last='McFadden'] QB, 2027 – The coaching staff raved about the progression of McFadden in the offseason. They believe if that improvement transfers over to the field, McFadden has a chance to be the region player of year. Last year was the first season he put all his focus on being a quarterback, so the growth was to be expected this offseason. His throwing motion has gotten better and that has made his passes more catchable.     [player_tooltip player_id='1821472' first='Mark' last='Pickard'] LB/TE, 2027 (Pictured) – Pickard is going to play the inside position at linebacker, and he has the correct mentality and mindset to be successful. He's not afraid of contact and his experience is going to help lead the defense. He moves well, can step up and fill a gap quickly and makes good decisions in his pursuit of the ball. The Blazers need stronger leadership from this senior class and Pickard is poised to step into that role and lead by example and with his voice.   Joh'Metrius Chandler WR/LB, 2027 – Chandler is going to be part of an experienced linebacker crew as well as a deep and talented wide receiver room. He's a basketball player so has great leaping ability and can position his body to shield the defender. He could be a player that will stretch the field and open things up underneath for other receivers. His connection with McFadden will be key to take the passing game to the next level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824725' first='Meltrin' last='Segars'] DB/WR, 2028 – All you have to do is look at the production Segars had in a breakout game against Timberland. He had three catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Now the plan this season is to be more consistent and produce numbers on a regular basis. He has the tools to make that happen. He's another player that can stretch the field, but he also can take a short pass and take it to the house. Segars will be counted on in the secondary as well.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] ATH, 2027 – Dukes plays on both sides of the ball at outside linebacker and H-back/tight end, but his future is likely going to be on the defensive side of things. He recorded 11 sacks and added a pick 6 on one of his interceptions. He's a playmaker and if you watch his film, he arrives at the ball carrier in a bad mood. He's a hard hitter that can change the complexion of the game with one big hit. His leadership skills have improved, and the coaching staff is expecting big things from the senior this fall.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Tyleek Dukes ATH – Dukes provided leadership on both sides of the ball. He was a tireless worker that was effective wherever he lined up. He was the leading rusher and one of the leading tacklers so that production will be hard to replace.     Travis Bennett LB/RB – Bennett was a lot like Dukes and played both ways, but his biggest impact came on the defensive side of things. He was always around the ball and made plays all over the field.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jayquan Cochran DB/WR, 2029 – Cochran spent all of 2025 on the junior varsity but that hasn't stopped the coaching staff from having high hopes for the sophomore. He has all the tools to go along with all the intangibles to be a breakout star. He's going to slide in and help at receiver as well as find his way onto the field in the secondary.      Lazarus Moyd DL/OL, 2028 – Moyd is a player that is athletic enough to play linebacker and maybe a tight end but he's going to be slotted in at defensive end and left tackle out of necessity. He moves well, wins more battles than he loses and is only going to get better with more experience.      Frazier is another player that has experience on both sides of the ball and is going to be counted on for a bigger role than he provided in 2025. The skill positions for Kingstree are well stocked and with Frazier's speed and leaping ability, he's going to find a way to be a huge contributor. He has soft hands and catches anything near him. He's a big play waiting to happen.

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.