2026 Team Preview: John Marshall Monarchs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: QB Kayden Knapp - WR/DB Cain Martin - OL [player_tooltip player_id='2140641' first='Kyle' last='Williams'] - LB Mason Markonich - WR Xavier Wells</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Marshall took a positive step forward in 2025, finishing with a 6-4 record while narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. Although the Monarchs came up just short of the postseason, the season marked clear progress and provided a foundation the program can continue to build upon. Injuries throughout the year forced several younger players into meaningful varsity action earlier than expected, giving them valuable experience that could pay dividends this fall. While John Marshall graduated several key contributors, the Monarchs return a quality core that now pairs proven veterans with a younger group that has already been tested under the Friday night lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: at Marietta (OH)<br>9/4: vs Weir<br>9/11: at Bellaire (OH)<br>9/18: vs Hedgesville<br>9/25: vs Parkersburg South<br>10/2: vs Warren Local (OH)<br>10/9: vs Edison (OH)<br>10/16: at Brooke<br>10/23: at Cabell Midland<br>11/6: at Wheeling Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record:&nbsp;</strong>6-4<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 5-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Marshall has a great opportunity to build on last season's progress in 2026. The Monarchs face a balanced schedule that includes plenty of winnable games along with challenging matchups against Ohio opponents and several Class AAAA programs that could provide valuable playoff points. With another year of experience for a young core and head coach Mark Cisar continuing to guide the program in the right direction, the expectations should be higher this fall. If John Marshall can prove more competitive against the tougher teams on its schedule while taking care of business in the games it should win, the Monarchs have a realistic chance of getting over the playoff hump and returning to postseason play for the first time since 2018.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2076798"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4e5f2db5e27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>John Marshall's passing game will revolve around 2027 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2076798' first='Landen' last='Snyder'] after the outstanding junior season he put together in 2025. Snyder emerged as one of the state's most productive playmakers, hauling in 64 receptions for 1,058 yards while also recording 62 tackles and three interceptions on defense. His natural hands, ability to track the football, and knack for making contested catches make him a constant threat whenever the ball is in the air on offense and doubles as a standout defensive back as well. With another offseason of development behind him, Snyder has all the tools to deliver another outstanding season and help lead the Monarchs back into the playoff conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/25448697/691e93113d6252c926271138u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a60e505ba064"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4e5f2db5ecf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no question 2028 RB/EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1624347' first='Dalton' last='Cooper'] has the physical tools to be the biggest difference-maker on John Marshall's roster this fall. A nagging injury slowed him last year, but when he's healthy, Cooper is a rare athlete with a powerful build, impressive athleticism, and the kind of physical presence that makes him a first-player-off-the-bus type of player. He's capable of carrying the workload in the backfield while also making an impact at defensive end, where his athleticism and frame continue to draw recruiting attention. If Cooper stays healthy, he has everything needed to put together a huge junior season and help push John Marshall into the playoff field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22855893/6918ba3e930670c0e47984edu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a60e505ba0f7"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1624374"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4e5f2db5f1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1624374' first='Tiler' last='Clemons'] looks ready to take on a much larger workload after gaining valuable varsity experience as a sophomore. Since first evaluating him as a freshman, the growth has been evident both physically and on the field. Clemons continues to fill out his 6'2 frame while developing into a more complete football player, and his length and athleticism give him plenty of upside on either side of the ball. The experience he gained last season should pay dividends as he steps into a likely full-time starting role for the Monarchs as a junior. If his development continues at the same pace, Clemons has all the tools to emerge as a breakout player this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23188900/68f5db1222713eea383dfe00u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a60e505ba171"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716508"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4e5f2db5f66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One underrated player to know for the future is 2029 LS/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1716508' first='Braden' last='Storm']. It's not often a freshman earns meaningful varsity snaps at the specialist and offensive line positions, but Storm handled long-snapping duties with consistency while also stepping up along the offensive line when called upon. He has the frame college coaches like to see at the LS position, and he moves well enough to get downfield in coverage after the snap. Long snappers rarely receive much attention, but Storm gives John Marshall a strong foundation in an area that often gets overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20227194/6911f812e2294d59ca77e8e1u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a60e505ba1e9"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Cisar - 2027 QB/ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Thayer - 2027 OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clay McCord - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colten Haught - 2027 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Fordyce - 2027 FB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clayton Pyles-Dugas - 2028 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Myers - 2028 OL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705838' first='Robbie' last='Sforza'] - 2028 LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nathan Hughes - 2028 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1673177' first='Blaise' last='Holt'] - 2029 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716507' first='Owen' last='Keller'] - 2030 QB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1889715' first='Travis' last='Kotson'] - 2030 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->