Sanderson Spartans 2026 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're just over a month from the start of the season, and we've been previewing teams across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sanderson Spartans endured back-to-back losing seasons before hitting seven wins in 2025 for the first time in nearly a decade. The Spartans have a strong rising junior class. What can they do in a deep Triangle Six 6A/7A Conference?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sanderson Spartans Team Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Jeremy Buck</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 7-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Conference: </strong>Triangle Six 6A/7A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>@ Broughton (9/3), vs. Middle Creek (10/2), @ Cary (10/9)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanderson has a strong 2028 class. Last year, the Spartans had five key offensive contributors who were sophomores and two more on defense. The team returns 15 starters, and there's reason to believe several can take bigger leaps than you'd typically expect, given the youth and the fact that Sanderson's staff clearly had an eye on the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans' ceiling will be determined by the year-over-year improvement of its talented rising junior class. Once inexperienced youngsters, Sanderson's 2028 class is a group of veterans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Sanderson Spartans Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts with dual-threat quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112654' first='Chase' last='Bowie']</strong>. The rising junior came out firing, with eight touchdowns and five interceptions in his first four games. He finished the year with over 2,100 yards, including nearly 650 on the ground. He was the Spartans' third-leading rusher last season. While the Spartans return nine offensive starters, they'll lose their leading rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233015' first='Keon' last='Williams']</strong> ran for 650 yards on just over 100 carries last year, and he could see a sizable jump in carries as a senior. He's a big, bruising back who has added weight this offseason. He thrived as a spell back last season, and if he maintains his efficiency while seeing more touches, the Sanderson offense will be potent on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What helps is that the offensive line is a veteran group. Right guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233033' first='Caden' last='Ikerd']</strong> and left tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233034' first='Curtis' last='Andre']</strong>, both 2028s, are my personal favorites of the group. Though they're a bit undersized (Andre may move inside at the next level), they're bruisers. Anybody who plays offensive line for Sanderson needs to be able to pull, as they live off of counter and traditional power concepts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233044' first='Gabe' last='Rocha']</strong> led the team in receptions, operating primarily underneath, but the Spartans lose a guy with 600 yards and seven touchdowns off of last year's team. The key will be finding a bigger receiver who can stretch the field. Although he didn't play varsity last season, the 6'2" <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233045' first='Miles' last='Maynard']</strong> is probably the best bet to operate in such a role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While not as experienced as the offense, the Sanderson defense certainly isn't starting from scratch. The Spartans return six returning starters on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interior defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2151238' first='Javon' last='Hicks']</strong> might be the best of the bunch. He finished second on the team in tackles despite playing a position that typically doesn't produce much in the box score. Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233057' first='Goodness' last='Okwuosa']</strong> and edge rusher <strong>Matt Roy</strong> were better than their raw stats suggested last season. Okwuosa played big nickel, linebacker, and some edge rusher, and he's added a good amount of weight this offseason, suggesting he may shift closer to the line of scrimmage this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2233062' first='Riley' last='Griffin']</strong> was an all-conference selection last season while playing significantly undersized. He's added weight this offseason and anchors a high-upside linebacker group. The Spartans are high on inside linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272328' first='Wyatt' last='Gore']</strong>, who has ample athleticism, but hasn't cracked the starting varsity lineup yet. They expect a lot from him this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, the secondary was quietly excellent last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2158561' first='Zyion' last='McKoy']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2232699' first='Chris' last='Harris']</strong> are solid cover corners who aren't afraid to step up and play the run. Both bigger and faster, they'll be tough to beat over the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sanderson seems to be on an upward swing, and I have no reason to believe that will change in 2026. The Spartans play in one of the tougher 7A conferences, where they fit in the middle tier. Middle Creek and Cardinal Gibbons are tough to beat for anyone, but the Spartans get an extra conference game this season with the addition of 6A Felton Grove in its first varsity season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have games with Broughton and Cary circled. The Spartans lost both of those at home last season, and flipping one or both of those results would give them their first eight-win season since the mid-2010s. If Bowie takes a step forward and Williams successfully slots in as a full-time running back starter, the offense will be a solid, balanced unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary and defensive line should keep the Spartans in games defensively. The question is the size and experience at linebacker to match up with more physical teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't be surprised if the Spartans win eight or nine games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>A special thanks to Sanderson head coach Jeremy Buck for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team. <em>Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our preseason survey</a>.</em></em> <em>Want to send this report to someone who isn't a subscriber? Support our work with promo code Helms30 so they can get 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->