2026 Preview: Redmond Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to Prep Redzone Oregon's 2026 Football Season Preview series! Over the next several weeks, I'll be highlighting programs from around the state as we count down to kickoff. Let's be honest, 6A football gets plenty of attention, so this series is all about shining a light on the outstanding players, coaches, and programs throughout Oregon's smaller classifications. Over the summer, I reached out to head coaches across the state to learn more about their teams heading into the season. These previews are built using their insight, giving fans a look at each program's expectations, players to watch, and goals for 2026. Every article is based on the coaches who took the time to respond, helping tell the story of their program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Redmond Panthers</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Redmond Panthers enter the 2026 season looking to take a significant step forward after finishing 2-7 a year ago in the always-competitive Intermountain Conference. While last season's record wasn't what the program hoped for, head coach Kyle Lavender believes the foundation has been laid for a much different season, thanks to months of offseason work and a senior class that has fully embraced the culture he is trying to build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redmond's journey began long before summer workouts. The Panthers have been building since February despite facing challenges, including a smaller student body than the other Bend-area schools and a roster filled with multi-sport athletes. Coach Lavender was encouraged by his team's performance at Western Oregon University's team camp, where the players competed against quality competition and caught the attention of several college coaches, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Our goal is to compete for a winning record and possibly make our way into the playoffs," Lavender said. "This team and its kids have finally bought into building and developing for the upcoming football season." After nearly a decade without a postseason appearance, the Panthers believe this senior class has the opportunity to set a new standard for the program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1550154"],"_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-6a4d560070925"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hadfield has experienced as much growth as anyone in the program over the past year. Now one of Redmond's top overall athletes, he has also become a vocal leader after stepping into a role that Coach Lavender says he wasn't always comfortable with. His versatility should make him one of the Panthers' most impactful players this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243056,"_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-6a4d5600709a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Herburger has transformed himself into one of the leaders of Redmond's offensive and defensive lines. According to Coach Lavender, he has developed a "mean streak" while reshaping his body during the offseason, giving the Panthers a physical presence in the trenches. He is one of the players the coaching staff believes deserves more recruiting attention heading into the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243052,"_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-6a4d5600709f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miner has emerged as one of the biggest leaders in the Redmond program after making tremendous strides throughout the offseason. Coach Lavender noted that his improvement has extended well beyond the football field, praising the way he has grown into the leadership role expected of a senior quarterback. His development will be a major key to the Panthers' success this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243065,"_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-6a4d560070a58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After primarily contributing at safety last season, Perry is expected to take on a much larger offensive role in 2026. He has embraced the responsibility that comes with being a senior and is working toward becoming one of Redmond's top receiving threats while continuing to contribute defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243069,"_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-6a4d560070abb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players embody Redmond's culture better than Polk. Coach Lavender described him as someone who "shows up to everything we do as a program with a smile on his face," but once the lights come on, he becomes one of the hardest hitters on the field. He'll look to bring that same physical style to an expanded offensive role this season and is another player the coaching staff believes deserves more recruiting attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243057,"_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-6a4d560070b0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spencer is another experienced two-way lineman who has put together an impressive offseason. His work ethic has earned the trust of the coaching staff, and Redmond expects him to play a major role on both sides of the football. Alongside Herburger, he helps anchor what the Panthers believe could become one of the team's strengths.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243066,"_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-6a4d560070b5a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already an established playmaker for the Panthers, Wachs enters his senior season looking to elevate every aspect of his game. Coach Lavender believes he has worked to improve both his performance and leadership role, giving Redmond another experienced weapon on both sides of the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243068,"_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-6a4d560070bc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McNulty returns as Redmond's most decorated player after earning Third Team All-State honors at linebacker last season. A standout athlete, he'll lead the Panthers at outside linebacker while also serving as the focal point of the running game. Expect him to be one of the top all-around players in the Intermountain Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243062,"_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-6a4d560070c23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more unique stories on the roster, Schmucker made the move from tight end to the offensive line and has embraced the transition. Coach Lavender praised his willingness to put the team first, and his athletic background gives him plenty of upside as he continues to develop at his new position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2243071,"_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-6a4d560070c8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore made perhaps the biggest jump of anyone on the roster this offseason. At 6'3" and 300 pounds, Fields has worked tirelessly, knowing he'll be expected to compete for a starting role on the varsity offensive line. Coach Lavender praised his work ethic and willingness to earn everything that comes his way, making him a young player to watch over the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redmond knows the climb back into playoff contention won't be easy, especially in one of Oregon's toughest conferences, but there is genuine optimism surrounding the Panthers entering 2026. A committed senior class, improved line play, and a growing culture of accountability have Coach Lavender believing his team is ready to compete at a higher level. If the Panthers continue building on the momentum they've created throughout the offseason, don't be surprised if they find themselves in the playoff conversation come November. Redmond will open up the season on the road at La Grande on August 28th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->