2026 Preview: Latta Vikings

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.   Several of the current Latta football players found out what winning a state championship looks like thanks to the success of the baseball team.   Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1822830' first='Logan' last='Byrd'] was one of those football players that played a key role in the baseball state title. He said he learned a lot about the mental aspect of winning a state championship. He feels he and his teammates can carry that mindset over to the football field.   “We need to bring the same mindset of the baseball team. It's just bringing that type of leadership and effort and what it really takes to reach the highest level,” Byrd said at the recent PRZ Media Day at South Florence High School. “Keep grinding. It's always a long season. You're going to have injuries and pain, but you have to fight through it. We came up short last year and we better understand what it takes to play at a high level now.”   The Vikings finished 8-3 a season ago and lost to eventual Class A state champion Bamberg-Ehrhardt in the second round of the playoffs.   They learned a valuable lesson in that loss as well. The coaching staff felt they didn't match up strength-wise and have made that point of emphasis for this offseason.   The offensive line should be a strength with the two starting tackles, a starting guard and a starting tight end in the two-tight end set returning. Byrd will be joined by Javonte Kollock Jackson Horne and Dustin Parker being tasked with leading a bruising running game.   The Vikings have a nice 1-2 punch with [player_tooltip player_id='1672918' first='Kayden' last='Rogers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817573' first='Irangabiye' last='Johnson'] providing a proven attack. Rogers was described as a ball of muscle that looks like a grown man already.   Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1824362' first='Luke' last='Huggins'] returns after winning the starting job as a freshman. He's got that year of experience under his belt, and the belief is the passing game will be much better because of it.   [player_tooltip player_id='1909885' first='Ryion' last='Gurley'] (pictured) is going to be the middle linebacker and the leader of the defense. It's going to be interesting to watch Rogers at linebacker as well because we believe defense will be his position at the next level. Alford will also play linebacker.   Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1764392' first='Anthony' last='Williams'] tackle Zamarion Monroe and defensive backs Noah Usher and Josiah Durant lead a talented unit that returns a lot of experience.     STARS SET TO SHINE   Zamarion Monroe DL, 2027 – Monroe is poised to have a big senior season. He's quick at 6-foot, 210 pounds and uses that explosiveness to make plays all over the field. Despite his smaller frame, he's good against the run and can chase down the quarterback when needed. Monroe will likely give up height and weight in several games, but his high-motor and instinctive skills will help him be a part of a lot of tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816154' first='Noah' last='Alford'] LB, 2027 – Alford will be a multi-year starter and counted on to be a leader on a defense that allowed over 20 points just four times last season. Three of those games resulted in losses. He moves well for his size and finds himself in the right position more times than not. If the linebacker trio can be effective against the run and limit the big plays in the passing attack, this unit has an opportunity to be better than they were a season ago. Alford is going to be a huge part of that.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822830' first='Logan' last='Byrd'] OL, 2027 – Byrd has been a mainstay on the offensive line as he has been a three-year starter. He's the leader of the front, knows what everyone's assignment should be and tries to make sure everyone is on the same page. The Vikings averaged over 32 points per game and should duplicate that feat in 2026. Byrd is punishing in the running game and can hold his own in pass protection. Expect Johnson and Rogers to run behind the tackle for several big gains this season.   Josiah Durant DB, 2028 – Durant was a contributor as a sophomore, and we expect that production to increase as he moves into his junior season. He displayed his skills at the Carolina Coaches Combine this spring and showed he belonged among some of the best defensive backs on the Class A level. He comes downhill quickly from his safety position and can make plays at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. Durant is also good in coverage and can blanket a receiver when needed.    FILM REVIEW   Javonte Kollock OL, 2027 – Kollock plays right tackle and his style of play is very aggressive in almost every situation. He can move his defender in the direction he wants them to go. He's also agile and quick enough to get to the second level and block quicker players out in space. His biggest strength might be at the point of attack when he can move lineman downfield, opening running lanes almost at will. It's proven that Latta likes to run the ball and Kollock will be a huge piece of that success.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Fischer Richardson RB – Richardson was the leading rusher last season. His production will be missed as he was more of an inside bruiser that also had the ability to break a long run on the outside.     Hayden Bullard ATH – Bullard was the Vikings utility player. He played some quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He's going to be difficult to replace because of his versatility.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1824362' first='Luke' last='Huggins'] QB, 2029 – When the season began last year, nobody expected Huggins to win the starting job but that's exactly what happened. His poise, confidence and character made him an instant success with the coaching staff and his teammates. He's only going to get better the older he gets. He directs a powerful running game, and his passing has improved greatly from the beginning of his freshman season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1909885' first='Ryion' last='Gurley'] LB, 2028 (pictured) – Gurley is going to be the player that not only makes plays himself but he's also going to make sure everyone understands their assignment and are on the same page defensively.  He's a natural leader and playing in the middle suits him fine. He's physical, attacks the running game and can move well on the perimeter. There's talent around Gurley, but he might be the most important player in the defensive scheme.      We mentioned above that Johnson is going to be a big part of a talented 1-2 punch with [player_tooltip player_id='1672918' first='Kayden' last='Rogers']. Johnson ran for over 900 yards last season and proved that he could be a featured back in a run-oriented attack. He's slippery and hard to get a clean shot on. He also has big play potential because his speed and agility will make him a threat to take it the distance on any given rushing attempt.

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.