Forest Hills 2026 Season Preview

<p><em><strong>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, make sure we have all the necessary information to preview your team. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">Fill out our preseason survey</a>. </strong></em></p>   <p>We're about three weeks away from the beginning of the 2026 North Carolina high school football season, and we're churning out team previews. The Forest Hills Yellow Jackets had an offseason coaching change, which could impact the roster. An intriguing team with plenty of athletic talent, what can the Yellow Jackets do in 2026?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills Yellow Jackets Season Preview</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Gregg Giddings (First Year)</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 9-3 (Lost in second round of 5A playoffs)</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> Rocky River 4A/5A</p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Offense)</strong>: 4</p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Defense)</strong>: 5</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>@ Mount Pleasant (10/2), vs. Anson (10/23), vs. Monroe (10/30)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>The range of outcomes in 2026 for the Yellow Jackets is as wide as any team in the 5A class. </p>   <p>The Yellow Jackets return only seven total starters (including a pair of two-way starters), though the returners were some of the more productive players on the team last season. They also played five one-score games last season, going 3-2 in those contests. There's also the coaching change. Early indications are that the team hit the ground running with Giddings, but a new staff and system opens up plenty of uncertainty. </p>   <p>I'm interested in whether the Yellow Jackets can continue to build under a new staff, even while losing plenty of experience. To top it all off, they compete in one of the most competitive conferences in the most competitive classification. The range of outcomes is wide, and we probably won't know which way they're trending until mid-October.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Furr is an impressive dual-threat quarterback who I'd expect to use his legs more in 2026. He has impressive change-of-direction, which makes him difficult to bring down in the pocket. I think, given the talent on the outside, that we'll see Furr air it out a bit more in 2026, which should make the Yellow Jackets a bit more explosive on offense.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Baker is a scouting favorite of mine. He's a two-way player who plays every snap like his hair is on fire. He's starting to get some recruiting interest after multiple strong years on the field. He returns after leading the team in tackles last season, and also had a handful of successful carries at running back. He's a team leader, and a guy who will have a huge impact.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Phinazee is a wildly fun player to watch. An all-conference selection last year, he's a rare true nose who lines up directly over center on almost every play. Still, he doesn't always take a four-point stance, and he'll occasionally stand up to rush the passer, while flashing on stunts, too. He's quick and powerful and took a shotgun direct snap last year before running QB power for a touchdown. I'm interested to see if he plays any 3-technique this season under a new coaching staff, and think he'll get some more recruiting interest as the year goes on.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Demarion Hough</strong> | WR- Hough was the leading receiver for the Yellow Jackets last season. The coaching staff is excited about the receivers, even if there are several unproven guys they'll rely on.</p>   <p><strong>Simeon Parker</strong> | DL- Parker led the team in sacks last season, but the 2026 defensive line looks solid. The Yellow Jackets want a second interior presence to step up beside Phinazee.</p>   <p><strong>Kylan Polk</strong> | RB- A standout running back and receiving threat out of the backfield, Polk transferred out this offseason. <strong>Chris Baker</strong> will likely see an uptick in his offensive workload, but the Yellow Jackets will miss their speedstar in the backfield</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Blakeney is a two-way player who just keeps growing, and should factor on both sides of the ball in 2026. He's a versatile defender, able to play inside and outside of the box. I like him best as a long safety, but he should play some receiver for the Yellow Jackets, as well.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Parker is an outstanding basketball player, and a late growth spurt has him in a spot to star on the football field, too. He's a shiftier receiver on a versatile receiving corps, and should have a say in the rotation this fall.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">We've had Parker ranked for years, but it's only recently that he's started to focus on the wide receiver position. He has excellent upside, given his size and athletic ability, and he's a guy who can both get behind a defense and make plays with the ball in the air.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Schuster contributed more on defense than on offense last year, but has impressed the new staff so far this offseason. He's a shifty, smart route runner who can create space before the catch, and should factor into the rotation this season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">At least based on what we've heard, I don't think Massey will start at quarterback this season, but he may be too talented to keep off the field. A standout basketball player ranked by our friends at Prep Hoops, Massey moves well and has excellent size. We haven't seen much of him as a passer, but the staff likes what he brings to the table, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him make his way onto the field this season.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forest Hills' 2026 Outlook</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Team Strength</h3>   <p>Forest Hills has always had an athlete or two on the team, but this year's team is special in that regard. There are six or seven "off the bus" guys who pass the eye test. They'll have size, speed, and versatility this year, which several plus athletes on the team.</p>   <p>While that doesn't always translate to wins, the Yellow Jackets should be versatile and balanced offensively, able to create mismatches on the outside. They should also be able to run the ball efficiently, and won't be one-dimensional.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Question Marks</h3>   <p>As talented as the returners are, there's a lot of uncertainty when a team has to replace half a dozen starters on each side of the ball. Add to that a late offseason coaching change, and it isn't out of the question to think it could take a month for the team to gel. </p>   <p>There's a lot of offensive line upheaval, and that unit is certainly not "proven." I also wonder about depth on the lines, as several guys could play both ways.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2>   <p>Forest Hills returns several key pieces from a strong 9-3 team that fell <em>just</em> short of a third-round playoff berth last season. Given the skewing of talent to the skills positions, primarily receiver, and a coaching change, I think we'll see a very different offensive philosophy this year. Namely, I expect Furr to get the ball out quickly to his playmakers on the outside. I also think he'll use his legs more. </p>   <p>Defensively, there are some intriguing pieces at all three levels. The margins are tiny, so if things break the right way, we could see another fantastic season from the Yellow Jackets.</p>   <p>On the other hand, there are several talented teams on the schedule. If the Yellow Jackets hit a run of bad turnover luck, injuries, or coin flip losses, they could struggle to put together a winning season. </p>   <p>To me, that's fun; Forest Hills is a team I'll be tracking throughout the year, and one that could make noise in November. </p>   <p><em>A huge thanks to Forest Hills head coach Gregg Giddings for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team.</em></p>

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