2026 Preview: Lamar Silver Foxes

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.   What do you do for an encore when you make the Class A state championship game in the first year under a new coach? Go win it all of course.   “The expectation is to try and get back to the state championship and try to win it. It's been our goal since the beginning,” Lamar two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] said at the recent PRZ Media Day held at South Florence.   Lamar coach Tyler Boyd had a successful first season – guiding the Silver Foxes to a 12-3 record and a heartbreaking loss to Bamberg-Ehrhardt in the state championship game in early December of last year.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822292' first='Messiah' last='Simes'] said the beginning of the Boyd tenure was tough but once the learning curve was eliminated, things started to click.   “Being around coach Boyd that first year was kind of rough. We found out quickly that he had the best interests of the team and we came away one step from our goal,” Simes said. “Now, going into this season, we better know what to expect and we're confident we can get back.”   There are huge holes to fill on both sides of the ball but there is plenty of talent returning. It starts with Green at running back and linebacker and includes Simes on the defensive and offensive line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822295' first='Jaylen' last='Morris'] will take most of the snaps at quarterback after playing primarily defensive back last year. Green, [player_tooltip player_id='1817362' first='TJ' last='Samuel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1664583' first='Jaquez' last='Dargan'] will take most of the rushing attempts.   All the players at Media Day praised the work of [player_tooltip player_id='1822296' first='Ethan' last='Drew'] at receiver and Boyd talked about Jaquese Williams, who practiced with the team last year but was unable to play.   The offense scored over 36 points 11 times last season and have the skill guys in place and an experienced offensive line to pave the way to duplicate those numbers. Simes will be joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1822298' first='Roy' last='Vest'] Izayah McCullough and Liston Todd in the trenches.   Several of those same players will see action on defense. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1822294' first='Kenile' last='Johnson'] linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] and defensive back Tavion Commander will also provide plenty of experience and depth on that side of the ball.   It's set up for Lamar to be a contender once again in Class A, which will be split into Division I and II once the playoffs begin.   “We learned there's times you're going to be low and times you're going to be high but you have to be able to bounce back from whatever it might be,” Vest said. “We will be ready for anything.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] RB/LB, 2027 (pictured above) – It's always nice to have your leading tackler back in the fold and that's the case with Green. He finished with 101 stops, 17 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 2.5 sacks and two fumbles caused and two fumble recoveries. He also added three touchdowns on offense. While that is a basket full of stats, those numbers might even be more impressive by the end of the season. His role is going to expand on the offensive side of things and he's a mainstay at his linebacker spot. Green has great lateral quickness and just a general nose for the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822292' first='Messiah' last='Simes'] OL/DL, 2027 – One of the strengths of the team is the balance and depth along the offensive line. Simes can line up and beat you with his power or he can use finesse out front of a play that will go for long yardage. He's 6-foot-2, 285 pounds so he matches up well from his tackle position. He also plays defensive end. Simes uses great technique on that side of the ball and always seems to make the right decision. He recorded an interception and 28 tackles in a limited role but should see more time there this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822298' first='Roy' last='Vest'] OL/DL/LS, 2027 – Vest is another player that will see action on both sides of the ball. He anchors the line from his center spot and makes a lot of calls at the line of scrimmage. He's accurate and quick with his snaps and allows the offense to get into rhythm. He also is a long snapper that perfected that skill as well. He's rarely, if ever, overpowered and he likes contact. His footwork and balance help him in pass protection and he's strong enough to dominate at the line of scrimmage. Vest blocks well in space as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664583' first='Jaquez' last='Dargan'] LB/RB, 2027 – Dargan joins Green in the backfield and at linebacker. He chipped in with 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble on defense while adding 391 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He has a wrestling background, and that knowledge of leverage and angles helps out. Dargan is explosive at 195 pounds and gets in position quickly. He can wins battles at the line of scrimmage but making plays in space might be his biggest asset.     FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1817362' first='TJ' last='Samuel'] RB/DB, 2028 – Lamar lost its top two rushers from a season ago and someone is going to have to replace that combined 2,200 yards and 38 rushing touchdowns. Enter Samuel. His vision and cutting ability make him a prime candidate to take over as the lead back. He was third on the team with 418 yards rushing in just nine games. He has big-play ability written all over him and his 8.2 yards per attempt highlights that. Samuel will also contribute at defensive back and more than likely special teams.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Zori Pierce QB – Pierce accounted for 38 total touchdowns – 21 rushing and 17 passing – and is going to be tough to replace. He completed over 60 percent of his passes for 1,823 yards and added 872 yards rushing.   Nygel Eaddy RB – Eaddy was the top ground gainer with 1,342 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was durable and rarely came off the field. He tied for third in the team for tackles with 67.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1822295' first='Jaylen' last='Morris'] QB, 2028 – Morris steps into the quarterback role after getting limited snaps last season. He was a huge contributor on defense with four interceptions and 26 tackles from his cornerback spot and he's likely still going to see time there as well. But he must take the reins of the offense and execute as well as they did last season. Morris has a strong arm and can make all the necessary throws. He makes great decisions and gets the ball into the hands of his playmakers. The running back and receiving units will be deep and experienced so that should ease the transition for Morris.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818641' first='Robert' last='Cooper'] TE/DL, 2029 – Cooper found his way on the field as a freshman and has the coaching staff excited for his future. He's 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and can fly. He also is an extra blocker in the run game. He comes off the edge quickly and can disrupt a play before it gets started on the defensive side of things. Cooper only scratched the surface last season and got by on athletic ability but has a better understanding this season. The expectation is he's going to be one of the leaders by the end of the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] TE/LB, 2028 – Williams caught our attention in the state championship game last season as he was flying around the field, making plays all over the place. He had 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, proving that he can force the issue and make plays behind the line of scrimmage a normal thing. Williams is long at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds but he's quick, savvy and can make plays from sideline to sideline. His best ball is ahead of him, and he could challenge himself to be the top tackler on the team this season. He's also going to be a threat in the passing game as evidenced by his 10 catches for 215 yards last season.     Williams caught our attention in the state championship game last season as he was flying around the field, making plays all over the place. He had 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, proving that he can force the issue and make plays behind the line of scrimmage a normal thing. Williams is long at 6-foot-4, 180 pounds but he's quick, savvy and can make plays from sideline to sideline. His best ball is ahead of him, and he could challenge himself to be the top tackler on the team this season. He's also going to be a threat in the passing game as evidenced by his 10 catches for 215 yards last season.

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.