2026 Preview: Stratford Knights

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.   The 2026 season will be a bit of a youth movement with opportunities for guys to contribute, along with some older guys that will lead the way as the Stratford Knights begin the season.   Knights head coach Dennie McDaniel and his staff have been focusing on developing leadership from his guys, as things will look different from the 10-2 team that won the region and lost to James Island in a tight contest to end the 2025 season.   “We've got a lot of young players coming in. They understand our system. They've bought into what we're talking about. And they're developing nicely," McDaniel told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons in mid July. "We may experience some hiccups early on, but it'll help us later on during the season. Our expectation doesn't change. We're expecting to win the region title and compete for that state title."   The defense is expected to carry the Knights in 2026, led by a strong defensive front that includes [player_tooltip player_id='1844950' first='Antonio' last='Waring'] who is expected to get the start at defensive tackle. [player_tooltip player_id='1819131' first='James' last='Platts'] is expected to fill one of the spots at linebacker as a senior while [player_tooltip player_id='1546180' first='Jaeaun' last='Cannon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1647300' first='Antonio' last='Smalls'] will get the start at corner. We'll have more on the defense below.   The biggest question that the Knights will need to answer offensively between now and the season opener is who will be the starting quarterback? There are two quarterbacks vying for the starting job in [player_tooltip player_id='1892148' first='Caleb' last='Lott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1587927' first='Dathan' last='Haywood'] who are both sophomores. McDaniel says both have done a tremendous job in competing with each other. It's a battle that will stretch into fall camp.   “The best thing about it is they're sharpening each other, but there's no animosity," McDaniel said. "It's a good competition. We're battling it out and hopefully one of them will take the reins. If not, we'll just continue battling it out. We're going to utilize both their skill sets, both of them have a lot of strengths and have their weaknesses,”   Three starters return for the Knights' offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1765206' first='Malachi' last='Breland'] is expected to get the start at running back, which should take some of the load off of whoever gets the starting role at quarterback. [player_tooltip player_id='1765215' first='Jayden' last='Lee'] will get the start at one of the receiver positions. Up front, Deris Bennett is the anticipated starter at left tackle as a sophomore. Chris Dawson will anchor the left guard position while Maddox Kizer will hold down the center position as a center while [player_tooltip player_id='1777098' first='Robert' last='Washington'] is the second senior at right guard.    “We're a young group, but (the) connection is going to get there. The expectation is going to get there (and that's) to win games. Nothing less,” senior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1765983' first='Micah' last='Adams'] said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1765983' first='Micah' last='Adams'] TE, 2027 – Adams has the physical makeup you need at the tight end position. He's not afraid to get out and block for his receivers and is physical at the point of attack. When he's catching the ball, he can go out into the flat and make catches and run people over for yards after the catch. He's tough to guard with his size, and it can be easy to miss him out in coverage.   Bryce Clemmons LB, 2027 – Clemons came on the scene strong as a first-year starter on the Knights' linebacking core. He finished the year with 124 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss with an interception as well. He garnered All-Region honors for his play. He was active with his ability to defend the pass and dislodge the ball when the ball came his way, and he could plug up run lanes as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1765880' first='Cameron' last='Gibbs'] LB, 2027 – The Knights' second leading tackler had a great junior season, finishing with 76 total tackles as well as five tackles for a loss. He can rush well off the edge and has a motor that is always running. He can cut off runners before they can build up momentum and get going.   [player_tooltip player_id='1765650' first='Jonah' last='Coleman'] LB, 2027 – Coleman was the team's third leading tackler in 2025, with 64 total tackles. He spent most of 2025 at strong safety coming down into the box and making tackles when needed, but he was a hard hitter when the ball came his way in the passing game. He can move from sideline to sideline and make plays on the ball when they present themselves.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1615105' first='Kermit' last='Davis'] DL, 2028 – Davis (pictured above) was another enforcer on the defensive line for the Knights in 2025, and will be one of the leaders up front. He is strong against the run with his ability to clog up run lanes. He can bull rush the offensive linemen, forcing them to step up in the pocket and when that happens, it gives Davis a chance to get his hands on the ball and knock the ball free, like he did a few times, forcing a few turnovers. He had 40 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss in 2025. Colleges are starting to take notice as he has offers from Coastal Carolina and App State. He told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Philip Simmons that he's put on weight and he's been working to get faster.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jachin Davis QB – Davis threw for 2753 yards and 36 touchdowns as a senior for the Knights. He will play football at Liberty University.   Meliq McGowan RB – McGowan was a workhorse for the Knights in 2026, rushing for 1896 yards and 27 touchdowns in his final season. He will play football at East Carolina University.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Elijah Ray OL/DL, 2030 – Ray is a young freshman that the staff is excited about. Ray has good hands and a tremendous first step according to McDaniel. We'll be interested to watch how he develops over the next couple of years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821454' first='Landon' last='Simmons'] DL, 2028 – Simmons will stand out to you when you watch him on film. He has great size from his defensive end position, and he had an excellent sophomore campaign. He has a great first step off the ball that allows him to push past opposing offensive linemen when rushing the passer and has an aggressiveness that is fun to watch. He has violent hands and knows how to play under control. His ability to stop the run is impressive as well.    Lazo made an impact as a freshman wide out with his ability to stretch the defense deep. He can make the acrobatic catches near the sideline and run good routes.   He has good size and good hands for a young guy and he is expected to tentatively start at wide receiver heading into 2026, and we think he will be a viable threat no matter who ends up taking the snaps at quarterback.

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.