Newport Greyhounds 2026 Team Outlook

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Overview: Class 2-3A</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Newport Greyhounds enter the 2026 season with momentum from a successful 2025 season and a shift into a new conference landscape. Under head coach Brian Reardon, the program continues its tradition as a consistent contender in Arkansas Class 3A football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greyhounds finished 9-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play, securing second place in the old 3A-3. They scored 464 points while allowing just 248, going undefeated at home in the regular season. Key wins included decisive victories over conference foes such as Piggott (59-6), Manila (52-0), and Harrisburg (50-28). In the playoffs, Newport defeated Melbourne 48-14 in the first round before falling to Salem in their rematch 40-20 in the second round. The season featured strong rushing performances and highlighted key returning players, including [player_tooltip player_id='2122078' first='Jesyn' last='Russell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1213802' first='Tavarius' last='Hardaway'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1429052' first='Trae' last='Henderson'], across various games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with those returning prospects, this team is experienced and has tons of seniors who aim for a deeper playoff run in the 2026 season. Their run-first rushing attack is explosive with athleticism and next-level talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Results (9-3 Record – 3-3A</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Marked Tree</td><td>W 38-6</td></tr><tr><td>@ Batesville</td><td>W 39-20</td></tr><tr><td>@ Salem</td><td>L 48-12</td></tr><tr><td>Piggott</td><td>W 59-6</td></tr><tr><td>@ Rivercrest</td><td>L 48-38</td></tr><tr><td>Osceola</td><td>W 34-10</td></tr><tr><td>Manila</td><td>W 52-0</td></tr><tr><td>@ Walnut Ridge</td><td>W 32-16</td></tr><tr><td>@ Hoxie</td><td>W 40-12</td></tr><tr><td>Harrisburg</td><td>W 50-28</td></tr><tr><td>Melbourne**</td><td>W 48-14</td></tr><tr><td>Salem**</td><td>L 40-20</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">**Playoffs</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GREYHOUNDS TO WATCH</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187539"],"_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-6a663fdfa7590"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1187539' first='Luke' last='Sampson'] returns to starting quarterback after dominating and earning all-conference honors at linebacker in 2025. He brings stability and solid athletic ability in the perfect fit of an offense. He's a high motor prospect and coachable on and off the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LukeSam90732180/status/1936136375545287028?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/LukeSam90732180/status/1936136375545287028?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213802"],"_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-6a663fdfa7617"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1213802' first='Tavarius' last='Hardaway'] is a versatile vertical threat who plays at both running back and wide receiver. Hardaway displays good acceleration off his plant foot with good foot quickness to eat up space quickly. He can create separation off breaks due to good change of direction, balance, dip, and burst. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/7Tavariushard/status/2080829130786881832?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/7Tavariushard/status/2080829130786881832?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1429052"],"_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-6a663fdfa7686"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1429052' first='Trae' last='Henderson'] is a prospect to add to the recruiting board. He's a high motor prospect who plays sideline to sideline after racking up 90+ tackles in 2025. Henderson plays physically at the point of attack, maintaining a good pad level to stack and shed. The three-year incoming starter is a prospect to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Trae_h2008/status/1967628204107293025?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/Trae_h2008/status/1967628204107293025?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>2027 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1247589' first='Jataelyn' last='Crite']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1664450' first='Andrew' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='2122078' first='Jesyn' last='Russell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1237288' first='Boosie' last='Hardaway']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1680427' first='Destin' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1251952' first='Jaden' last='Robinson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='712401' first='Zay'Shawn' last='Greer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2063295' first='Lamarcus' last='Pender']</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>@ Marked Tree</td></tr><tr><td>09/04</td><td>Batesville</td></tr><tr><td>09/11</td><td>Booneville</td></tr><tr><td>09/25</td><td>@ Mountain View*</td></tr><tr><td>10/02</td><td>Quitman*</td></tr><tr><td>10/09</td><td>@ Riverview*</td></tr><tr><td>10/16</td><td>Salem*</td></tr><tr><td>10/23</td><td>Marshall*</td></tr><tr><td>10/30</td><td>@ Yellville-Summit*</td></tr><tr><td>11/06</td><td>Melbourne*</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>The Greyhounds lost some production to graduation (including key 2025 contributors like running back [player_tooltip player_id='424570' first='Trevion' last='Greer'] and others), but the returning core—particularly along the lines and in the skill positions—should provide continuity and high expectations as they enter the 2026 season. The program emphasized a strong rushing attack in 2025 which could be expected this fall. These seniors are talented with Little Rock in their sights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Brian Reardon (33-16 at Newport, heading into 5th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Year: 9-3, 6-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 3 (Last in 1991)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Championships: 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2014</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 47</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff Record: 55-45</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->