2026 Preview: Philip Simmons Iron Horses

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe"><em>Simply head to our subscription page</em></a><em>&nbsp;and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you break down the Philip Simmons roster, it's easy to see why the Iron Horses are so stoked for the 2026 football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankly, this collection of talent has to be viewed as one of the front runners in Class 2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's all there. Most importantly, so, too, is the mental framework to make sure it pay dividends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“We always have the standard set to go out and be the greatest,” defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood']</strong> said at last week's Prep RedZone Media Day at his home school. “Last season, we came up short in the third round. Our main goal is go go above that, probably get to a state championship. But that's about it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hood's closing line wasn't bravado. Nor was it head-in-the-clouds youthful enthusiasm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Philip Simmons has the potential to earn some hardware this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning offensive stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821540' first='Hayes' last='Goddard']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822035' first='Ashton' last='Kellermann']</strong> are both back after their eye-opening junior breakout campaigns. Two-way standout <strong>Omante Taylor</strong> is also back after leading the team in rushing and making life miserable for opposing receivers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817756' first='Nate' last='Elsey']</strong> will take on an even bigger role in the defense after notching 100 tackles as a sophomore. And Hood and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk']</strong> check a lot of freaking boxes at defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Around them, there are plenty of other returning starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822036' first='Christian' last='Cromedy']</strong> (left tackle), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822031' first='Bernard' last='Jenkins']</strong> (left guard) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824984' first='Sullivan' last='Tollison']</strong> (right guard) will solidify the offensive line, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271251' first='Jordan' last='Johnson']</strong> (nose) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825575' first='Micah' last='Dutton']</strong> (tackle) will do the same on the interior of the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All told, the Iron Horses bring back nine on each side of the ball. Some are adapting to slight changes, but outside of new running back <strong>Cameron Marcello</strong> nearly every player in the tentative starting lineup has extensive varsity experience. All while some new faces will be able to add some significant athleticism in depth-building spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Put it all into the blender, and Philip Simmons has something brewing - beginning with some of its biggest names. Because head coach Eric Bendig doesn't believe his core is lightening up, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Luckily bringing back a lot of guys that you've seen a lot of - Hayes, Ashton, <strong>Omante Taylor</strong> <strong>Diavante Taylor</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood']</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk']</strong> - we have a lot of guys coming back that we feel really good about,” Bendig said. “It wasn't about finding those guys. It was about kind of getting them ready to really capitalize on their senior year. We already know they're going to work, know they're going to get better.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821540' first='Hayes' last='Goddard']</strong> QB, 2027 - Goddard isn't going to turn many heads getting off the bus. He's all of 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds. But watch him film and you're going to see a production monster who looks like he could go after a 3,000-yard passing season. He wasn't far off that threshold as a junior, when he completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,675 yards and 30 touchdowns (against just three picks) while also rushing for 521 yards and six more scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822035' first='Ashton' last='Kellermann']</strong> WR, 2027 - Goddard's favorite target is back, too, and he's among a very short list to lead the state in receiving yards in 2026. After all, he finished No. 2 a year ago (behind another Lowcountry receiver) with 1,314 yards. He did that all on 70 receptions out of variety of looks. Just as importantly as moving the sticks, he got into the end zone 14 times. That's not too shabby for a kid who caught 17 balls as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1271262' first='Alex' last='Tchoryk']</strong> DL/TE, 2027 - Tchoryk has been putting up decent numbers since his sophomore year, but as a senior, he could further establish himself as one of the top tight ends in the state to go along with his established status as one of South Carolina's top defensive linemen. As a junior, he caught 22 passes for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Considering he's entering his final year at Philip Simmons with 34 career tackles for loss and 16 sacks, and his dual role can't be overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood']</strong> DL, 2027 (pictured) - The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive end is going to be trying to make up for some lost time from the end of last year, when he missed games due to an injury. If you need proof of what he can do when he's on the field, ask Atlantic Collegiate (10 tackles, five TFL) or Whale Branch (10 tackles, 2.5 sacks), a pair of playoff opponents he uncorked on last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omante Taylor</strong> DB/RB, 2027 - Taylor doesn't look like a traditional corner or tailback. Yet, he does both pretty darn well for the Iron Horses. At 6-foot-3, he's got a long stride that helps him in space on either side of the ball. And while he's not going initially slated to be the dedicated starter on offense (that could change), how he picked up his 848 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns last year are key. In nine different games last fall, he had at least one run of 20-plus yards. He also had a pair of 50-yard runs as a junior. Translation: When he gets green grass, that stride is difficult to chase or bring down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18478538/69107d55314c2ebcf2400f22u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a57ac88b786b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Chisum</strong> LB - Chisum went off as a junior and senior, putting up 207 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three fumble recoveries over the course of his final two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CJ Falotico</strong> K/P - The all-star specialist averaged 37 yards per punt and 61 yards per kickoff while connecting on 54-of-59 PATs and 13-of-18 field goals. He finished his senior season with 93 points scored.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyrus Alston</strong> ATH, 2030 - While there's not telling how much Alston will see the field - or, more specifically, where - Philip Simmons sees something out of him that tells the staff he can make some early contributions in the secondary, at tailback or receiver or as in the return game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824764' first='Greyson' last='Salvo']</strong> OL, 2028 - Salvo saw some time at guard last fall, but he's going to be making the switch to center for his junior season. He's going to be anchored by three seniors and another junior, so if he can get the first part of the assignment down on Fridays, the offense should continue to click.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1817756"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a57ac88b81da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsey is coming off a huge sophomore season in which he put up 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked field field goal. Here's the fun part: That was his dry run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, Elsey steps into some huge shoes as a vocal leader in the middle of a fairly talented defense. He won't necessarily need to go sideline-to-sideline, as the two defensive ends in front of him are very good at setting the edge. But if we get to October and his tackle numbers are sky high, that will be an excellent sign for the Iron Horses.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsey has the all of the tools, including a football IQ, to make his part in it look surprisingly easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->