2026 Preview: Spartanburg 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.   Spartanburg finished 2025 with a final record of 7-5, with a second round playoff loss to Ridge View.   If you take a closer look at their schedule from last year, they opened the season with the two teams that won the state championship in the class 5A split – Northwestern and Dutch Fork. And they had a win at the final buzzer at home against Dorman, while also being decimated with injuries throughout the year as well.   While young in 2025, the Vikings got a lot of guys quality experience on Friday night and they have great speed and strength across the board heading into 2026.    As the opener at Greenwood approaches on August 28, Vikings head coach Mark Hodge says the potential for the team is unlimited.   "This team possesses all the attributes of previous state championship teams. If the development the program has experienced through all the successes, trials, tribulations and blessings of the past few years continue, the Vikings will develop into a team ready to fight for a state championship," Hodge said in the 2026 Spartanburg football media guide.   Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1816641' first='Chris' last='Colin'] is projected to be next in line to get the nod as starting quarterback for the Vikings. He had a solid campaign in 2025, with a 48% completion percentage throwing for 357 yards and three touchdowns. The coaching staff says he can make any throw on the field and has great presence in the pocket.   Returning senior receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1858256' first='Skylar' last='Douglas'] (pictured above) told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Fountain Inn that they've been focusing on building chemistry, especially with a young group offensively that has six returning starters.   “We have young wide receivers and we're really striving for something better and I feel like as a wide receiving core, we're doing better serving each other and it's not a lot of 'me monsters' out there and especially with 40 ([player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch']) in the backfield, we'll have a great offensive season,” Douglas said.   Two guys to keep your eye on at receiver include Tre'Gan Mickler who transferred to Spartanburg from Dorman and BJ Dawkins (2027). Ligon Martin and [player_tooltip player_id='1819846' first='Justin' last='Sims'] are the two returners up front on the offensive line.    The Vikings have a new defensive coordinator in 2026 in Robert O'Connell, who spent time in the Midlands at Westwood. Senior linebacker Tryon Duncan has been eager to learn with his teammates with eight starters back on that side of the ball.   “We want to make sure we know the defense and we know our jobs and know what we're supposed to do,” Duncan said.   Other returners include Antavion Hawes and [player_tooltip player_id='2212357' first='Jaylen' last='Mathis'] along with Issiah Lipscomb at the linebacker spots. The Vikings will be experienced in the secondary with [player_tooltip player_id='1816541' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] returning. Marquez Smith will be one of the anchors on the defensive line.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] RB, 2027 – Lynch will get his carries early and often in 2026 as one of the leaders for the Vikings offense. The Rutgers commit rushed for 1204 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2025 and had eight games where he rushed over 100+ yards. He runs with a unique blend of speed and power that is fun to watch when he's working his way through the first line of defense. When he gets into the open field, look out, because it could be six points.   Tyron Duncan DL, 2027 – Duncan returns for his senior season after a junior campaign that saw him finish with 14 tackles, including three for a loss. He takes good angles to the ball and is strong against the run. He can defeat blocks quickly and has great size to overpower opposing offensive linemen. He's learned throughout the camp and combine circuit about improving his initial first step and using it to his advantage and being more explosive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1858256' first='Skylar' last='Douglas'] WR, 2027 – Douglas will be the leader in the receiver room as the Vikings. We expect his production to increase and be an outlet for an offense that we expect to continue to grow as the season progresses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1506366' first='RJ' last='Estrich'] DB, 2027 – The team's second leading tackler returns for his senior season after registering 20 tackles. He showed an ability last year to fill the alley against the run and come down and make tackles in the hole. He's been working on being more physical in man-to-man coverage.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1858192' first='Kemareon' last='Davis'] DL, 2027 – Davis held down his own at the nose tackle spot in 2025, and will lead things up front in 2026. He has the size and the aggressiveness that you're looking for at the position. He can move well around opposing offensive linemen and get his hands on guys to get to the quarterback as quickly as possible. He can also clog up run lanes and make running inside run plays difficult.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Trey Burke QB – Burke threw for 1532 yards and 17 touchdowns during his senior year, while also rushing for 103 yards on 38 carries and one score. He is off to play college football at East Carolina.   Will Love K – Love was a difference maker for the Vikings. He had an extremely strong leg that could boom it out of the back of the end zone almost every time or kick it from a far distance, like when he knocked through a 53-yard field goal as time expired to beat Dorman in 2025.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Sentell Hall DB, 2028 – Hall returns for his junior season as the team's leading returning tackler in 2026. He had 21 total tackles and found a way to be around the ball, and we expect that to continue in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817871' first='Jay' last='Anderson'] WR, 2029 – Anderson spent time on the JV squad at quarterback last year, and he'll have the opportunity to compete on varsity at wide receiver. He has the athletic ability to make moves in space and show off good speed when he gets into the open field. He has good size and should be a viable weapon for the Vikings offense in 2026.    Morris held his own at the corner position in 2025 with his ability to keep his stride with receivers and make plays on the ball when they presented themselves.   Even if the play wasn't coming his way, he still hustled and got around the football with his speed and ability to change direction. He made a few plays on special teams at kick returner where he was able to set the offense up in prime field position.

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.