2026 Preview: Wando Warriors

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.   The region is going to have a new look but that doesn't change the path for Wando, who as one of the largest schools in the state, hasn't found the football success of some others.   The Warriors are coming off a 4-7 campaign where they were in a lot of games late thanks to a defense that kept things respectable. Now they want to close the deal with an offense that hopes to average more than just over 12.1 points per game from a season ago.   Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1602363' first='Ben' last='Eikenberry'] believes the pieces are in place.   “We graduated some seniors and had some big losses, but I think this senior group has been playing together since about 8th grade,” Eikenberry said at the recent Prep RedZone Media Day at Philip Simmons. “We're a well-bonded team that will help us improve our record.”   Senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1819060' first='Cade' last='Rogers'] (pictured) has seen a change in attitude in the offseason.   “Practices have been more intense. We've changed some things in practice that will help transfer over to the games,” Rogers said. “I think we've taken the weight room more seriously and that has helped us get stronger across the board. Our mentality seems a lot better as well.”   The defense was good for the most part a season ago and returns Eikenberry, who was the leading tackler. Returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1821852' first='Quinn' last='Neal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817750' first='Brock' last='Yocum'] will help up front as will [player_tooltip player_id='1824452' first='Cooper' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1549022' first='Grant' last='Castellow'] in a deep and experienced group. [player_tooltip player_id='1823210' first='Jacob' last='Pelic'] will join Eikenberry at linebacker.   Rogers will anchor a secondary that also has returning starters [player_tooltip player_id='1817591' first='Jayvon' last='Harrell'] [player_tooltip player_id='1819401' first='Trace' last='McCarty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823200' first='Jake' last='Beck'] in the mix. [player_tooltip player_id='1820625' first='Cannon' last='DeMoura'] will help on both sides of the ball at defensive back and receiver. McCarty was injured some last season but seems primed for a big year.   Offensively is where Wando needs to improve the most. They had seven games last season in which they scored 14 points or less. The quarterback spot is unsettled but senior [player_tooltip player_id='1823209' first='Oliver' last='Todd'] and sophomore Cape Whittaker are battling for the starting nod. Todd has been on varsity for three seasons now and Whittaker is making the jump from junior varsity.   Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1823207' first='Zach' last='Mussehl'] is a leader by example and will not let anyone outwork him. He will have help up front from Castellow Peter Mixon Tristian Stein and Ryan Jones, a talented freshman that has a bright future.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819407' first='Chase' last='Rinehart'] [player_tooltip player_id='1824234' first='Tyler' last='Garner'] [player_tooltip player_id='1467849' first='Ryan' last='Jahn'] [player_tooltip player_id='1824931' first='Gabriel' last='Holmes'] and Demoura will have to become playmakers at receiver for the offense to click into a higher gear. The Warriors only rushed for a little over 1,000 yards last season but the hope is that [player_tooltip player_id='1823204' first='Jake' last='Glassberg'] can reach that number by himself this season.   “If you look back at the film on some of the mistakes we made, it was on things that we can control like turnovers. We averaged almost three turnovers a game and only got one. Ball security was a big focus this offseason,” coach Isaiah Perrin said. “We played a lot of sophomores last season, and those guys will be stepping into an even more prominent role this year. We have some pieces we're really excited about.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1823204' first='Jake' last='Glassberg'] RB, 2027 – Glassberg battled some injuries last season and played in just nine games. He was the second leading rusher with 297 yards and three touchdowns. The running game is going to have to be more explosive this season and Glassberg has taken an approach that he will not be denied in 2026. He can make guys miss once he gets into the open field. Running between the tackles has been the challenge but he's bulked up and ready for that challenge as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819060' first='Cade' last='Rogers'] CB, 2027 (pictured above) – Rogers played in all 11 games last season and contributed 31 tackles and one interception. His play in the secondary is going to help with a group that returns all four starters from a season ago. He's quick and aggressive and doesn't mind putting himself on an island to go one-on-one with the best receiver on the other team. He was part of a sophomore class that saw plenty of playing time. Rogers has taken a role as a vocal leader as well.     [player_tooltip player_id='1467849' first='Ryan' last='Jahn'] 2028, WR/RB – Jahn is a guy that will line up all over the field to take advantage of his speed and elusiveness. He ran for 287 yards last season but also caught 17 passes for 152 yards. The plan is to find creative ways to get Jahn the ball in space and that might be at receiver or out of the backfield. He can make the first guy miss and take a short gain into the second level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1820630' first='Tristan' last='Stein'] 2029, OL – Stein started at center as a freshman and his development is one of the main reasons the coaching staff is excited about the play in the trenches. His snaps are accurate and on time and that helps with getting the play in motion quicker. He's also more comfortable in making calls on the line and making sure everyone is on the same page. He's going to have a new quarterback behind him this season and that will be a learning curve, but Stein is a force in the middle that is a key building block for the season.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1602363' first='Ben' last='Eikenberry'] LB, 2027 – It's always nice when you can return your leading tackler from the season before. Eikenberry contributed 106 tackles and 18 tackles for loss as a junior. He led the way with four sacks as well four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal. He's the leader of a defense that returns at least eight starters from a season ago. Eikenberry is rarely out of position and reads and reacts to plays quickly. He feels like he's gotten stronger in the offseason and that should help him at the point of attack.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Harris Stone QB – Stone took almost all the snaps at quarterback last season and not only threw for 1,341 yards but was the Warriors leading rusher with 418 yards. He was a multi-year starter, so Wando is looking for that leadership replacement at quarterback.   Matthew Payes LB – Payes was a tackling machine with 102 tackles and 14 tackles for loss to go along with four forced fumbles, three sacks and three blocked field goals. His intensity set the tone for the defense.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1824234' first='Tyler' last='Garner'] WR, 2028 – Garner transferred in from Oceanside Collegiate and the expectations are going to be he plays all over the field. He caught 36 passes for 589 yards and five touchdowns for the Landsharks. He's going to step into a crowded receiver room for the Warriors with three returning starters, but his skill set is likely going to help him find his way onto the field. He could also play defensive back. He's a smooth route runner with great explosiveness once he catches the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824452' first='Cooper' last='Collins'] OL/DL, 2029 – Collins played varsity as a freshman last season and got limited reps, but he's expected to step in on the defensive front and provide an immediate impact. He's one of the strongest players on the team and moves well for his size. His biggest impact will likely be on the defensive side of the ball, but he could slide in and help on the offensive line as well.    Moody handled kickoffs, field goals and extra points for the Warriors last season and will be a contender to add punting duties to his resume this season. He's got a big leg that the coaching staff believes will give him a range of 45 yards this coming season.   Field position is going to be a big thing for the experienced Warriors defense and Moody should be able to pin opponents deep with more touchbacks on kickoffs. He was over 80 percent on extra points, and he kicked three field goals last season with a long of 38 yards. He's one of the better sophomore kickers in the state and will get an excellent chance to showcase that this coming year.

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.