2026 Preview: St. James Sharks

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.   With seven wins in the last three years, St. James is eager for a fresh start.    The Sharks believe 2026 may provide just that. New head coach Stephen Cagle takes over a program that hasn't tasted a winning season in 10 years, but players say they've already experienced a shift in the mood.   “We're coming together as a team,” safety [player_tooltip player_id='1858340' first='Jonathan' last='Mason'] said at last month's PrepRedZone Media Day. “Coach breaks it down on ‘love your brother,' so that's what we're mainly focusing on. We've got a good culture here; it's a fun team.”   A return to fun football seasons for the Sharks could start on defense, where St. James brings back seven starters from last year's unit. Mason and [player_tooltip player_id='2083693' first='Tyson' last='Picklesimer'] are slated to start at the safety positions as rising sophomores, where Mason is one of the best young prospects in the state.    “He's a worker,” wide receiver Brewer Adams (pictured) said of Mason. “He works his butt off. He'll show up every day with energy, no matter what. He's definitely one to watch.”   Returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1819556' first='Rome' last='Derenzo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819560' first='Ja'kye' last='Graham'] bookend the defensive line with Nate Deas taking over at nose guard to form an all-senior front three. Colsyn Ward and Rylan Milbuagh are penciled in at the inside linebacker positions, but the athleticism of rising senior Owen Cisne means he'll likely get plenty of reps as well.    The offense will likely run through [player_tooltip player_id='1858335' first='Jordan' last='Grant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819557' first='Frank' last='Glover'] as the pair of rising seniors are the only returning skill position starters on offense. The one-two punch at running back should lighten the load at quarterback, where seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1822112' first='Griffin' last='Larrow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822114' first='Jake' last='Early'] are battling with junior Cody Peterson and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2101623' first='Bodhi' last='Sawyer'] for the starting job.    Adams, who joins with fellow rising junior Dawson Nance and rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1822118' first='Woods' last='Herring'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1822110' first='Brady' last='Larrow'] to make up the wide receiver corps, says that building chemistry with the quarterbacks is a top priority heading into fall camp.   “Definitely this year, we're trying to work on it,” Adams said. "Trusting each other, knowing that somebody's going to be there for you every play and somebody's going to have your back.”   The offensive line has two stellar pieces at the starting tackle positions. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822960' first='Reilly' last='Sumner'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1858396' first='Nick' last='White'] will handle the left and right tackle jobs, respectively.  Rising sophomore Austin Jones is the lone underclassman who's projected to start on offense, which White says isn't surprising given his work ethic.   “He's got good foot work, he brings intensity, he works every day,” White said of the Sharks' projected starting left guard. “I feel like he's got great potential.”   With the program's last playoff win coming in 2015, the Sharks know they face a steep climb to postseason contention. However, St. James is focused on the day-to-day steps as they look to build a foundation for future teams.    “Our intensity has been up, we've come together as a brotherhood,” White said. “We've sifted out the rotten tomatoes and figured out who we are and we're building that family.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1822960' first='Reilly' last='Sumner'] OL, 2027 – Sumner's 6-foot-2, 270-pound frame would present plenty of problems for defensive linemen on its own. Add in a wingspan of almost 80 inches and impressive strength and you've got an offensive tackle who will be crucial on a unit that lost key pieces from last year's team. If past performance is any indication, Sumner should rise to the challenge.   [player_tooltip player_id='1858335' first='Jordan' last='Grant'] RB, 2027 – Grant was a dependable ground threat for the Sharks last season and will likely see his role increase with a new quarterback operating the St. James offense. If the Sharks can rack up yardage on the ground with Grant running behind the likes of Sumner, White, and Jones, St. James could be a tough offense to stop.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819557' first='Frank' last='Glover'] RB/LB, 2027 – Glover is somewhat of a unicorn. A rising senior with starting experience who is not projected as a starter on either side of the ball but will likely get plenty of reps at both running back and linebacker. The ability to bring in that sort of player fresh in key situations is a luxury that St. James should enjoy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1825076' first='Jordan' last='Gohn'] DB, 2027 – A veteran leader who can rotate in with Mason at safety, Gohn packs plenty of pop into his 5-foot-8 frame. Few things can help strike fear in opposing offenses more than a hard-hitting member of the defensive backfield and Gohn could be the Sharks' enforcer in the backend this year.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1858340' first='Jonathan' last='Mason'] ATH, 2029 – Mason will see snaps at wide receiver, but his defensive tape is what jumps out at you. With impressive length for a rising sophomore, Mason shows solid play recognition, an ability to change direction quickly, and a willingness to stick his nose into traffic. With only one season of varsity experience under his belt, he should only improve his stock in 2026.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Alex Sandt QB – Sandt threw for 2,114 yards and completed 67 percent of his passes last year while accounting for 21 total touchdowns. St. James finds itself in the unenviable position of having to replace the reigning Region VI-5A Player of the Year.    Zack Zurawski WR – Zurawski developed into a reliable target in the passing game last season, scoring six touchdowns and racking up 500 yards. The Sharks need someone to step up and take over the WR1 spot.    UP-AND-COMING TALENT   Austin Jones OL, 2029 – Jones has already earned the trust of his coaches and teammates with his work to break into the starting lineup. With plenty of older teammates to learn from in the trenches, expect him to take great strides this year as he gets his first taste of life in the varsity trenches.    Christian Bartol WR, 2029 – The projected backup to Adams, Bartol should have a great chance to work himself into the rotation. He and Mason can form a solid second group of receivers for the Sharks if he can adjust to the speed of the game.     Picklesimer may get lost a bit in Mason's shadow, but he's another talented rising sophomore who should also see action at wide receiver in addition to his time at safety. If he fills out his frame during the course of the season, he could elevate his game to a new level.    With teams likely looking to throw away from Mason, his fellow sophomore should get plenty of chances to feast in defensive backfield.

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.