2026 Preview: CA Johnson Green Hornets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>W.N.G.O.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We never get outworked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's the motto for the CA Johnson Green Hornets headed into the 2026 season after the 2025 season ended in an ugly 42-14 loss in the playoffs. Because of that loss and the bad taste it left, the veteran players on the team are well aware of the work they need to put in to make sure that's the case.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Never get outworked. Keep chopping and stay consistent. That's been the message," linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824184' first='Terrell' last='Golson']</strong> said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We know that we need to give this season our all," athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467850' first='Elijah' last='Harper']</strong> added. "Nobody can determine the outcome of this season except for us and we know that. We're grinding and working hard to make sure that doesn't happen."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CA Johnson head coach Rodney Barr expects to have production on both the offensive and defensive line with key returners such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821480' first='Ty'Mere' last='Evans']</strong> and <strong>Tremaine Gadsen</strong> expected to be focal points in the trenches. There are also young, inexperienced players like <strong>Zereon Austin</strong> on the defensive line, as well as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818188' first='Kayden' last='Sales']</strong> and <strong>Rashad Jordan</strong> on the offensive line. A couple more players in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824731' first='Zyair' last='Walker']</strong> and <strong>Tony Guess</strong> will be able to fill in on the either side of the trenches and be trusted to produce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Our offensive and defensive lines should be really solid for us," Barr said. "We have some older guys on both sides, and we also have some younger guys as well. It's a good mix and I expect that the older guys will set the example and the standard for the younger ones."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barr also expects his veteran leaders to hold the team accountable and keep everyone consistent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"These three guys here with me are our leaders and they do it well," Barr said. "Like Terrell said, WNGO, we never get outworked. These guys know that my message to them is to stay consistent and get better each and every day. They know they are the example for the younger players, and they've taken on that role."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467850' first='Elijah' last='Harper']</strong> ATH, 2028 - Harper put together an outstanding sophomore season in 2025, collecting 43 catches for 653 yards and scoring eight touchdowns. He was also a ballhawk on defense, collecting two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and four passes defended.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1823720' first='Jeremiah' last='Knightner']</strong> ATH, 2027 - Knightner is another two-way player that was excellent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he rushed for 569 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, he posted 36 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, while also collecting three sacks and two interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824184' first='Terrell' last='Golson']</strong> RB/LB, 2027 (pictured) - Golson was the workhorse out of the backfield, carrying 170 times for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also stellar in the receiving game, collecting 28 catches for 380 yards and scoring five more times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821479' first='Johnathon' last='Jenkins']</strong> EDGE, 2027 - Jenkins was a monster on defense, racking up 82 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered. He'll certainly be the leader of the defense and a season with 100-plus tackles is well within reach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816883' first='Stacey' last='Isaac']</strong> QB, 2028 - Isaac was the starting quarterback as a sophomore, and he did some very impressive things. He's got a strong arm that allows him to make any throw he needs to and he's smart with the football, only throwing three interceptions. Along with that, he's elusive in the pocket and can use his legs to escape pressure and pick up yardage on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26527004/69311c306f3c5abdcb40f27bu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a617ca532f1f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>King Smith-Bryant</strong> ATH - Bryant was all over the field in his senior season, spending time at quarterback, receiver and in the backfield on offense and in the secondary on defense. He wasn't the most productive in all spots, but his ability to play anywhere he needed was needed is something that will be missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omari Kinlaw</strong> RB/LB - Alongside the aforementioned Jenkins, Kinlaw was a major leader of the defense. He led the team with 86 tackles and collected 6.5 tackles for loss as well as one sack, one interception and one fumble recovery. His all-around production will be difficult to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaiden Keitt</strong> WR/DB, 2028 - Keitt made most of his impact on defense last season, collecting 55 tackles and two tackles for loss. He's expected to have more of a role this season and be much more productive on the offensive side of the ball in both the ground and air game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816246' first='Carter' last='Bennett']</strong> ATH, 2028 - Bennett had 436 receiving yards and four touchdowns last season, as well as collecting 23 tackles and two interceptions in the secondary. His coaches raved about the impact they expect him to have on both sides of the ball this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1825543"],"_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-6a617ca53357f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lewis is the No. 5 ranked OL/DL in the 2029 class, and we can break that down for you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For starters, he's 6'6" and 250 pounds. He has a massive frame with still plenty of time to grow into his body. Often times, he's a man amongst boys and bullies through whatever defensive lineman he's blocking or whatever offensive lineman trying to block him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He'll be the key focus of both the offensive and defensive side of the ball in the trenches for not only this season, but for several more after it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->