2026 Team Preview: Poca Dots

<!-- 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 Kamauri McBride - WR/DB Jackson McClanahan - LB Colton Dunbar - WR DJ Combs - OL/DL Daniel Burns </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poca endured a difficult 2-8 season in 2025, bringing an end to Seth Ramsey's long run as head coach. Ramsey had been at the helm through a successful stretch for the Dots, making his departure a significant change for the program. Jarrett Smith now takes over a program that has a strong history of success and plenty of experience still returning in 2026. Poca loses only a handful of impactful seniors, giving Smith a solid group to work with as he looks to get the Dots moving back in the right direction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Buffalo<br>9/4: at Clay County<br>9/11: at Ravenswood<br>9/18: vs South Harrison<br>9/25: vs Scott<br>10/2: at Braxton County<br>10/9: at Williamstown<br>10/23: at Sissonville<br>10/30: vs Roane County<br>11/6: vs Sherman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>2-8<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 3-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poca has a good senior class returning that should help the Dots take their first steps toward getting the program back on track. The road won't be easy, with a difficult schedule waiting for Jarrett Smith in his first season at the helm. Poca has enough talent to compete with some of those quality opponents and could surprise a few teams along the way. Getting back to the playoff expectations the Dots have reached in the past may take some time, but there should be noticeable progress in 2026. </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":["1155293"],"_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-6a4a77091ca8e"} --> <!-- 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>Poca will need big things from 2027 LB Colton Petry as the Dots look to get the program moving back in the right direction. Petry was highly productive as a junior, piling up 110 tackles and 13 TFLs while also contributing offensively with 137 rushing yards and 43 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns. He brings a strong, sturdy frame to the linebacker position and plays with the physicality to fight through blocks and finish tackles from different spots in the defense. Petry has already shown he can impact the game in multiple ways, but his senior season could be an opportunity to take another step and be a leader of this Poca team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19946865/6928697c84423567d9901df5u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ccafb9f8f2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326499"],"_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-6a7ccafb9f968"} --> <!-- 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>Poca has a another proven defensive playmaker to build around in 2027 LB Corey Cook. He heads into his senior season after earning Second Team All-State honors as a junior, piling up 125 tackles, 25 TFLs, and 8 sacks last season. Cook shows a knack for creating havoc and consistently finding his way to the ball. He's the type of linebacker who seems to be involved in every play and gives the Dots a leader to lean on defensively. With Poca looking to turn the program around, Cook will be a cornerstone of that effort and has a chance to push for First Team All-State recognition with another big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326505"],"_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-6a4a770920ebe"} --> <!-- 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>The Dots return a physical presence in the trenches with 2027 OL/DL Brody Godbey, who will anchor both sides of the ball again as a senior. Godbey brings a big 5'10 300 frame to the interior and finished his junior season with 60 tackles while doing a lot of the dirty work up front. His ability to occupy blockers creates opportunities for Poca's ultra-productive linebackers to run free and make plays, making his impact bigger than the numbers alone suggest. Godbey will also be counted on to pave the way in the running game, giving Poca an experienced two-way lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1164994"],"_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-6a4a770920f52"} --> <!-- 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>After leading Poca in rushing as a junior, 2027 RB/DB Spencer Jones has a chance to improve his production as a senior. Jones ran for 700 yards and five touchdowns last year, and the turnover at receiver could create more opportunities for him to expand the running game with a new coach. If his workload increases, he's capable of pushing toward 1,000 yards and give Poca a bigger threat in the backfield. Jones will also be an important returning player in the secondary, where his athleticism gives the Dots another returning piece to work with defensively. He's an under-the-radar player who could put together a breakout senior season in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326500"],"_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-6a4a770920fbf"} --> <!-- 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>Poca has another returning 2027 LB/DB to watch this season with Chris Cook, who was productive despite being limited to six games as a junior. Cook finished with 46 tackles, showing he can make an impact when healthy and giving the Dots another experienced body on defense. His size also gives Poca the flexibility to use him at linebacker or in the secondary if needed, adding a lot of value to their defensive depth. Cook is an underrated name on this roster, and a healthy senior season should give him a chance to see a much larger role in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716446"],"_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-6a4a770921024"} --> <!-- 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>Poca has a promising young playmaker in 2029 ATH Prince Brandon, who gained valuable varsity experience while having a standout season on the JV level. Brandon is electric with the ball in his hands, using his speed, quickness, and shifty running style to create space and turn touches into explosive plays. He has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field and possesses the burst to take advantage once he finds a crease. With three more seasons to develop, Brandon has the tools to become one of the Dots' next dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Pr1nce_2x/status/2043048595415351422","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/Pr1nce_2x/status/2043048595415351422 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1716505"],"_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-6a4a770921086"} --> <!-- 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>Poca has a promising young linebacker developing in 2029 LB Dalton Bragg, who saw plenty of varsity action as a freshman. Bragg finished the season with 60 tackles, showing he can already contribute on Friday nights despite being a young player. He also saw some touches at running back, adding another way for the Dots to utilize his athleticism. Bragg's early production suggests he could become a future standout with what he showed in year one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/27111978/6a2f1cb9fb6ef617863a7a96u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a7ccafb9fbb8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dylan Cline - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blake Dillard - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Levi Carroll - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Fore - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rylan Lett - 2029 QB/ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->