2026 Team Preview: South Harrison Hawks

<!-- 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/DB Madden Maxwell - WR/DB Collin Seguin - OL/DL Charles Langford - DL Austin Harbert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Harrison had another quality season in 2025, finishing 6-5 and making the postseason for the second-straight year. The Hawks have now reached the playoffs three times in the past four seasons since Brett Hathaway took over in 2021, giving the program good consistency under his leadership. Most of last year's roster returns, which should have expectations even higher in 2026. With the experience the Hawks have coming back, they should be right back in the playoff hunt this fall and have the potential to move past the opening round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: at Braxton County<br>9/4: at Lincoln<br>9/11: vs Oak Glen<br>9/18: at Poca<br>9/25: vs Clay County<br>10/2: vs Philip Barbour<br>10/9: at Doddridge County<br>10/16: at Williamstown<br>10/23: vs Tyler Consolidated<br>11/6: vs Ravenswood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record:&nbsp;</strong>6-5 (Playoffs Round One)<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 5-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Harrison brings back its entire running back group in 2026, giving the Hawks plenty of firepower in a run-focused offense that can go four or five deep without much drop-off. Zane Harlow, Shepard Paugh, Xavier Tustin, and Landon Ross give them a four-headed attack that should be difficult for defenses to handle over the course of a game. The biggest question is what sophomore QB Lucas Nutt can bring to the passing game and whether he can provide more balance to keep defenses from loading up against the run. If Nutt can add that element, it could give the Hawks another dimension offensively and make an already experienced group even tougher to defend. South Harrison looks like another playoff-caliber team, although several difficult matchups will test them along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326506"],"_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>South Harrison will lean heavily on 2027 RB/DL Zane Harlow again after he led the Hawks in rushing as a junior. Harlow rushed for 785 yards and five touchdowns last season while sharing carries in the backfield in their Stick-I offense. His physical 5'10 190 build should also allow him to take on a larger role along the defensive line, where he can be more productive as a senior. Harlow will still share carries as a senior, but he'll be a top rusher again and is one of the Hawks' most important players this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["862715"],"_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>One of the more interesting pieces returning this season is 2027 South Harrison ATH Shepard Paugh, who brings a different element to the Hawks' deep backfield. Paugh rushed for 760 yards and eight touchdowns on 101 carries as a junior, producing at a high clip despite sharing carries in a four-man rotation. His 6'4 200 frame gives him a physical presence as a runner, and he added 53 tackles and eight TFLs while contributing defensively. Paugh has the size and versatility to continue being a major part of South Harrison's team as a proven two-way playmaker as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326507"],"_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>2027 South Harrison RB/DB Xavier Tustin gives the Hawks another physical option in their deep backfield. Tustin rushed for 677 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, ranking third on the team while making the most of his opportunities in the multi-back system. He also totaled 42 tackles in the secondary and will return as a starter at defensive back, giving South Harrison another experienced player on both sides of the ball. His 6'0 200 frame fits well with the physical style of the Stick-I and adds another tough runner to a backfield that will rotate several capable options. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2333611"],"_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>The depth of South Harrison's backfield continues with 2027 RB/LB Landon Ross, who gives the Hawks a different style than the other three backs. Ross rushed for just under 400 yards and two touchdowns as a junior, serving as a quicker option who can complement the size and physicality of the rest of the group. He was also highly productive at linebacker with 46 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and an interception, where his biggest impact came last season. Ross may not have the same size as some of his teammates, but he's a valuable two-way player and an important part of a talented South Harrison senior class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2336295"],"_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-6a81e61834e1e"} --> <!-- 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>2027 South Harrison OL/DL Kaden Shafferman will be one of the key returners up front for a Hawks team that relies heavily on its Stick-I rushing attack. Shafferman may not have prototypical size for the offensive line, but he executes his assignments well and does the dirty work up front. He helped South Harrison produce 3,000 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns last season and was a key reason why they had so much success on the ground. Shafferman is an unsung player in the trenches, but his value to the Hawks' offense is easy to see and will provide the same steady play as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabe Ferrell - 2027 WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wyatt Koontz - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elliot Watson - 2027 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Levi Langford - 2027 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Ferrell - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gabe Bartlett - 2029 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Arbogast - 2029 TE/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lucas Nutt - 2029 QB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayden Beaty - 2030 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kirby Vanhorn - 2030 TE/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->