2026 Preview: River Bluff Gators

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.   You may remember seeing the play go viral on social media the night of November 14 last year.   Stratford threw up a Hail Mary to beat River Bluff on the game's final play in the second round of the playoffs.   The Gators remember the feeling walking off the field, and it is fuel to the fire as they look ahead to 2026 with a ton of talent returning on both sides of the ball from an up-and-down 6-6 campaign a year ago.    “I'm just excited to see the kids take hold of the culture we're trying to bring and (you) kind of see that in the offseason," River Bluff head coach Perry Parks said at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood last week." We lost in the second round versus a really good Stratord team on a Hail Mary. How close we were one play away from playing in the third round, my first year was pretty special."   Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] added: “It just makes the standard even higher for this year, just the expectation for us to be better than last year. We're going to go out this fall and we're going to show out this year.”    One of the things that will need to be worked out between now and the season opener is the starting quarterback for the Gators. Parks isn't ready to name a starter yet, but it will come down to returner [player_tooltip player_id='1600293' first='Davis' last='Taylor'] (more on him below) and [player_tooltip player_id='1344583' first='Brayden' last='Moore'] (1184 passing yards and 11 touchdowns and 48 rushes for 113 yards).   Carter is one of seven starters back for the Gators offense beginning with Ben Cowart on the offensive line at left guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1824105' first='Kingston' last='Dunn'] will join Carter at receiver while Hamp Pitt returns at tight end. Reed Carter is expected to start at center while [player_tooltip player_id='1818436' first='Wyatt' last='Neely'] will start at right guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1817126' first='Chase' last='Sessions'] will be at left tackle while [player_tooltip player_id='1821406' first='Kendall' last='Inabinet'] will start at left tackle.   Seven starters are back on defense, which includes [player_tooltip player_id='1824708' first='Preston' last='Minor'] on the defensive line. RJ Jacobs will contribute as well up front. Collin Carter is expected to start at corner.    As the 2026 season approaches, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='262172' first='Bubba' last='Alexander'] has been impressed with the summer preparations.   “We've had a pretty big importance on staying ready so we don't have to get ready. I'd already say we're pretty close to game shape and we haven't even gotten close to scrimmages yet so we've been working our tail off in the weight room, on the practice field, practice schedules and just all around the intensity so when we get to the game season, we'll be ready to roll and everybody else will still be trying to figure it out,” Alexander said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] WR, 2027 – Carter returns for his senior season with the Gators after leading the team in 2025 with 62 receptions for 908 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is quick and explosive with the ball in his hands, averaging 14.6 yards per reception. He is committed to Coastal Carolina University. He's been working on being in top physical condition as well as making the routine catches as well.   Carter on commitment to Coastal Carolina: “Just the hospitality that they bring. (Coastal head coach) Ryan Beard, he brought his staff in from Missouri State. Just coming in there in January, you know when you get that feeling that this is the right place. When I took my OV, that's when I wanted to finalize and say, "this is where I can call home.”   [player_tooltip player_id='262172' first='Bubba' last='Alexander'] LB/RB, 2027 – Alexander transferred to River Bluff for his senior year after spending last year at Hammond. He could impact the game on both sides of the ball. When he was on defense, he showed an ability to move sideline to sideline and get after opposing offenses. He can blitz and drop into coverage for a pick six like we saw watching his film. On offense, he's a hard runner that can find the green grass.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817074' first='Colt' last='Manley'] DL, 2027 – Manley had an active junior season for the Gators with 22 total tackles, including 1.5 of them for a loss. We think that tackle number could go up with his ability to defeat blocks quickly and get after opposing team's running games. He's been working to improve his pass rushing ability heading into 2026. Manley said: “I've really sustained myself as a really good pass rusher on this team and I've been working for it, every and every single day.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1824104' first='Reece' last='Huffstetler'] LB, 2027 – The best way to describe Huffstetler as he returns for his senior season is that he is a tacking machine. He had 104 total tackles with eight of them for a loss. He can tackle out in space and has a motor that is always running.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1664633' first='Caleb' last='Renwrick'] DB, 2027 – Renwrick is an enforcer at the cornerback position. He is not afraid to come up and lay the lumber on the ball carrier. He was the team's third leading tackler in 2025 with 69 tackles including five for a loss. His coverage skills and play recognition is excellent – he keeps his eyes in the right place and once he sees the route, he can close on the ball quickly to prevent a big gain or pick it off.    BIGGEST LOSSES   [player_tooltip player_id='1818414' first='Josiah' last='Robinson'] DB – The Gators' leading tackler from 2025 has transferred to Dutch Fork for his junior season after registering 124 tackles.   Hayden Myers RB – Myers ran for 1682 yards and 14 touchdowns during his senior season with the Gators.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1825516' first='Jyree' last='Grady'] DB, 2029 – Grady played in 12 games for the Gators last year and was a lockdown at the cornerback position. He has good instincts and good eyes and can leap in the air and make plays on the ball. He can cover out well in space as well. He had two interceptions last year and took a kick back to the house in 2025 for a touchdown. He finished the year with 64 total tackles.   Brady Williams DL, 2029 – Williams got to see valuable time as a freshman for the Gators. He lined up normally on the end spot and could plug up the run lanes and limit plays to a short gain. If he couldn't get home, he could get his hands on the quarterback and affect the throw. He'll only continue to grow as time progresses.    Taylor is the returning starter at quarterback in a battle with Moore as we mentioned. He can execute the quick passing game and make throws near the sideline. His receivers have a chance to go catch the ball with his delivery and the way he sets his feet in the pocket. He can also take off and run and he's quicker than you may realize. He threw for 505 yards and five touchdowns while rushing 48 times for 113 yards.

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.