2026 Preview: Mauldin Mavericks

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 through 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.   The progress has been steady for Mauldin over the last three years.   From a winless campaign in 2023 to two wins in 2024, to a five-win season and a first round playoff berth against Boiling Springs in 2025.    Mavericks head coach Andre Cook enters year four with the program on the southeast side of Greenville, and his group has a better understanding of what it takes to be successful.   “Every kid in the program has known me since 9th grade or before and so they understand the expectation. They understand the standard. They understand what they need to do each day. They've seen the senior classes before them do good things and bad things, but more than anything, I think they've been in that weight for four years, just getting after it,” Cook said. “I think there (were) some plays to be made last year that maybe we didn't make at the right time, that may have cost us games where I feel like, these kids right here, right now, in those instances, maybe we'll be a little bit closer to making those plays and going on and winning those games.”   With the 2026 season on the horizon against Greenville at home on August 21, junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1648324' first='Landon' last='Cash'] (pictured above) told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Fountain Inn in late June that the team has been working to continue to build chemistry.   “In the past we haven't had the best relationship as a team and I think this year, we've been able to build that and also just continue to grow mentally and physically,” Cash said.   And with that chemistry, the Mavericks are looking to take another step with tons of experience returning as junior defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans'] told us.    “(A) region championship is our number one goal, and to go further in the playoffs than Mauldin has ever,” Evans said.   Evans makes up a defense that has six starters back, including [player_tooltip player_id='1822869' first='Isaiah' last='Thompson'] at inside linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1818007' first='Parker' last='Hawkins'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='1820356' first='Zaiden' last='Addison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1818014' first='Jayden' last='Hamilton'] are expected to start at the linebacker spots. [player_tooltip player_id='1817997' first='JaQuan' last='Delbridge'] and Chris Gault are expected to start at safety while MyKhail Cannon and Mason Sponauge are anticipated to hold down the corner spots.   Six starters return offensively mainly on the offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1811122' first='Jacob' last='Whitehead'] at left tackle and [player_tooltip player_id='1709902' first='Nehemiah' last='Jackson'] at left guard on the offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1822870' first='Mario' last='Ballarano'] is expected to get the start at center and Maddox McGowan is expected to start at right guard.    STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1648324' first='Landon' last='Cash'] TE, 2028 – Cash finished the 2025 season with 12 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown in 2025. He told us that he's been working on catches in open space and making contested catches and blocking to create holes in the run game.    [player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans'] DL, 2028 – Evans was a force on the defensive line for the Mavericks, finishing 2025 with 68 total tackles and 13.5 tackles for a loss. Evans has started on the Mavericks defensive line since his freshman year and when he gets out on the field, he makes plays and knows how to win against double and triple teams and get after the quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820371' first='Tyson' last='Smith'] ATH, 2028 – Smith played primarily defensive back for the Mavericks, as he had 38 total tackles on defense. He'll flip over and play more receiver in 2026 as it's a move Cook believes will benefit the team.    Cook on Smith: “He's making plays one-on-one and doing those types of things. He's got good hands. He runs good routes, and I'm excited for him to have a really, really good season.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1822869' first='Isaiah' last='Thompson'] LB, 2028 – Thompson returns for his junior season after a sophomore campaign where he finished as the team's third leading tackler with 75 total tackles and 3.5 tackles per loss. He can meet an opposing runner in the backfield and he takes excellent angles to the ball. He can also play out in space and make sure tackles on the ball carrier.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1822865' first='Kamari' last='Cannon'] RB – Cannon runs downhill and knows what to do with the ball in his hands. He doesn't waste time dancing in space, it's just good progress north and south. He runs through contact and does what the run is designed to do, like on a stretch run outside. He keeps his legs moving and can make nice cuts while maintaining ball security, which is something we noticed frequently on all his runs. He ran for 554 yards on 104 carries and seven touchdowns in 2025.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Reddick Langston QB – Langston was productive for the Mavericks in 2026, throwing for 1236 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 586 yards and four touchdowns. Anytime you lose that production from a starting quarterback, there will be a void to fill.   Tamari Shepherd WR – The Mavericks' leading receiver finished the 2025 season with 38 receptions for 569 yards and nine touchdowns. He'll play college football at the University of Charleston (WV).    Evan Hruska LB – Hruska finished with 86 total tackles and eight tackles for loss in 2025 who was an All-State performer.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1816706' first='Ryland' last='Walton'] RB, 2029 — Walton has a burst of speed that is fun to watch when he gets into the open field. He had a long run against Hillcrest last year that gave everyone a glimpse into the future at running back over the next few years. We'll be interested to see if he can work his way into the rotation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1644174' first='CJ' last='Edwards'] QB, 2028 — Edwards is expected to take the reins at quarterback, and Cook is excited about what he brings to the table. He played JV football over the last couple of years who has developed. One thing that stood out to us is he's not afraid to take a hit when he pulls the ball down and run.   Cook on Edwards: “He's done a good job of leading and going out there and figuring out where he needs to go with the ball, at the right time. He's also a pretty athletic guy. I don't think he's a guy that's looking to run when he pulls the ball down, he's looking to make plays downfield and he's done a good job of that in the spring. And I think that'll be beneficial for us.    Frist held his own on the right side of the offensive line, not allowing the opposing defensive line to get penetration. He moves well and can open up holes in the run game with his size and ability to use his hands well. He does a good job in pass protection as well and will only continue to improve heading into his junior season this fall.

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 through 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.