Alma Airedales 2026 Team Outlook

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Overview: Class 5A East</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Alma Airedales football program enters the 2026 season with fresh leadership and significant promise. After finishing 4-6 overall (3-4 in the 5A-West) in 2025, the Airedales turn the page under new head coach Jeremie Burns, a proud Alma alumnus bringing decades of proven success, including going 104-61 at Ozark for 14 seasons. The program has struggled to create a sustaining culture with consistency, but with a new outlook, staff, and a young core could flip the script starting this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only do they have a young core, but they also bring back three key all-conference prospects in wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2162406' first='Dylan' last='Jackson'], Izaac Plourde, who's transitioning to running back, and defensive end Tristan Nutt. Those three seniors will be crucial in laying the foundation for this era. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Results&nbsp;(4-6 Record – 5A East)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>@ Van Buren</td><td>L 40-29</td></tr><tr><td>Siloam Springs</td><td>W 29-22</td></tr><tr><td>Hot Springs</td><td>L 49-7</td></tr><tr><td>Harrison</td><td>L 41-13</td></tr><tr><td>@ Morrilton</td><td>L 35-28</td></tr><tr><td>@ Vilonia</td><td>W 38-12</td></tr><tr><td>Greenbrier</td><td>L 56-27</td></tr><tr><td>Clarksville</td><td>W 40-0</td></tr><tr><td>@ Pea Ridge</td><td>W 35-20</td></tr><tr><td>@ Farmington</td><td>L 49-20</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">AIREDALES TO WATCH:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2162406"],"_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-6a603f2fd8154"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2162406' first='Dylan' last='Jackson'] is their top senior prospect who has the talent to play at the next level. As mentioned before, he effectively attacks the intermediate and deep levels of the field. Jackson is a reliable target with the ability to dominate the seam and give his quarterback a quick window. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/dyljacks6/status/2033920690546442579?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/dyljacks6/status/2033920690546442579?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606344"],"_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-6a603f2fd8215"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1606344' first='Mason' last='Brooks Belcher'] will likely be their top 2028 prospect. He's athletic with solid recognition skills. Belcher is a smart defender with the ability to flip his hips and get vertical while quickly reading opposing routes. Add him to your recruiting board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrooksBelc7760/status/2078975242018656317?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrooksBelc7760/status/2078975242018656317?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252866"],"_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-6a603f2fd82d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2252866' first='Hudson' last='Loughridge'] is a wide receiver prospect who could open up some eyes this fall. He's expected to take reps on both sides of the football, including defensive back. The senior target will open up the field and can become a threat post-catch. Loughridge is a prospect to monitor throughout the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HudsonLoughrid1/status/2064331984311099523?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HudsonLoughrid1/status/2064331984311099523?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORE TO MONITOR:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2134277' first='Jay' last='Lemieux']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2137295' first='Dallas' last='Perkins']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1905592' first='Reed' last='Robertson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1718856' first='Wisely' last='Parks']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1693755' first='Anthony' last='Nelson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Schedule:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>08/28</td><td>Van Buren</td></tr><tr><td>09/04</td><td>@ Russellville</td></tr><tr><td>09/11</td><td>Vilonia</td></tr><tr><td>09/25</td><td>Clarksville*</td></tr><tr><td>10/02</td><td>Farmington*</td></tr><tr><td>10/09</td><td>@ Pea Ridge*</td></tr><tr><td>10/16</td><td>@ Dardanelle*</td></tr><tr><td>10/23</td><td>@ Morrilton*</td></tr><tr><td>10/30</td><td>Harrison*</td></tr><tr><td>11/06</td><td>@Greenwood*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*Conference</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT'S NEXT?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This figures to be a transitional but optimistic year. With Burns instilling his culture and the young core maturing, Alma should be more competitive week-to-week. A .500 record or better is realistic, with a realistic shot at the playoffs if the team gels quickly and avoids the late-game letdowns that plagued 2025. The foundation is in place for sustained improvement in 2027 and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivalry games against Van Buren and others will set the early tone. The Alma Airedales are no strangers to success, but have yet to feel it as of late. Under coach Burns, the program appears poised to turn the corner and restore pride in the green and gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Jeremie Burns (0-0 at Alma, heading into 1st season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Year: 4-6, 3-4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 3 (Last in 1998)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Championships: 28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2013</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 42</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff Record: 52-39</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->