Topsail 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>Preview season rolls on here at Prep Redzone, and as the calendar turns to August, we're reaching the home stretch. We haven't covered many teams close to the coast yet (though those are coming), but here we're previewing an intriguing Topsail Pirates team that should be better than last season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Topsail Pirates Season Preview</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>TJ Albert (First Year)</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 0-10</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> Carolina Coast 6A/7A/8A</p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Offense)</strong>: 4</p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Defense)</strong>: 8</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>vs. Ashley (9/18), vs. Laney (10/2), @ Hoggard (10/9)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>Topsail isn't your typical team coming off a winless season. The Pirates allowed 30 points just twice in conference play, returning most of their starters on that side of the ball. On offense, they return a talented quarterback who should have far more help in 2026.</p>   <p>Head Coach TJ Albert comes in after a 92-67 record at Community School of Davidson and takes over a Topsail program that is just five years removed from sustained success. Most aren't looking at Topsail as a bottom-dweller, so the question is how much progress they can make in Year 1.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Vickers is so much more talented than his numbers from last year suggest. In this offense, a guy with his frame and arm talent should put up great numbers in 2026. He has the size and arm strength of a college quarterback, and while I still need to see some improvement with his processing and mechanics (I've been told both have been focuses this offseason), I have him starred as a potential stock-riser early in the 2026 season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Albert comes from Community School of Davidson with his dad after an 80-tackle, three-sack season during which he recovered four fumbles. He was a two-way player for the Spartans, and I expect that to continue after his transfer. Don't be surprised if he lines up in multiple spots defensively as the coaching staff seeks to put him in the best spot to impact each game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Plunkett was Topsail's leading tackler last season, racking up over 100 stops on the year. He has excellent size and speed on a slightly undersized defense. Topsail's coaching staff will rely on him as a veteran on that side of the ball, and his steady play should allow new teammate [player_tooltip player_id='2177963' first='Zack' last='Albert'] to float more on defense.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Jackson Reeves</strong> | TE- Reeves was a bright spot on a struggling offense last year, catching 24 passes for over 400 yards. [player_tooltip player_id='2177963' first='Zack' last='Albert'] can play in-line, but I don't think there's a jump ball receiver on the roster quite like Reeves. That said, the Pirates will play more spread formations.</p>   <p><strong>Damarion Smith</strong> | WR- Smith was the second-leading receiver on the Pirates last season, and Topsail will have to replace his production in 2026. While there aren't many proven receivers on the roster, guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2264558' first='Carter' last='Reitan']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2264401' first='Ben' last='Hirchag']</strong> have good upside.</p>   <p><strong>Landon Lash</strong> | LB- Lash led the Pirates with 14 tackles for loss last season. Albert should replicate a lot of that production, but the Pirates would feel a bit better with Lash's proven talent still on the roster.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">In a perfect world, Topsail would hide its superstar freshman. However, he's too talented to keep off the field and should start at the running back position. He's a natural runner with excellent pad level and contact balance. From what I've heard, he could be a superstar, and while we won't rank the 2030 class until October, I have him penciled in as a potential top 10 player.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Jewell's 2025 film is pretty good, even if he was a bit inconsistent. He has solid footwork, and when he doesn't get over the top of his toes, he has plenty of strength in the running game. That said, he flashed some dominant reps at center, and should have a bit more skill-position talent around him this season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hirchag will fly under the radar until he breaks out in 2026, as Topsail's passing game should be leaps and bounds better than last season. He has limited film, but shows good acceleration out of his breaks and has excellent long speed. Overall, it's not a huge receiving group, so Hirchag provides some much-needed size, too.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Topsail's defensive line isn't the biggest, but Blankley is a strong dude who can disrupt the pocket as a pass rusher. If he can hold up as an interior run defender, I really like Topsail's chances to have a more consistent defensive front.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Reitan had a solid season on Topsail's JV team last year, catching 17 passes. He's not the biggest guy, but is a player who can step in and provide a much-needed safety blanket for the offense. Topsail should be more multiple and have plenty of three- and four-receiver sets this season, so while the receiver rotation isn't set in stone, expect Reitan to be one of the top guys.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">While I'm less convinced Salcido will make an immediate impact this season than some of the other listed receivers, I know the staff is high on his long-term future. He's a jitterbug of an athlete, able to make guys miss in limited space. He brings a unique skill set to an offense that should have plenty of weapons in 2026.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Topsail's 2026 Outlook</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Team Strength</h3>   <p>While there are plenty of unknowns, I think the Topsail offense should be one of the most improved units in the state. Vickers has put in a ton of work this offseason to clean up his mechanics, and the offense should be a bit simpler. Albert's offenses thrive at creating mismatches and easy throws for his quarterbacks, so I expect some firepower from the Topsail passing attack. Add in a high-upside freshman running back and a veteran offensive line, and this could be a strong offense.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Question Marks</h3>   <p>I have some questions about the Topsail pass rush. A team that produced just four sacks a season ago doesn't have anyone (that we're aware of) who can really move the needle on the defensive line. The defense was fairly solid last year, allowing fewer than 30 points in four of six conference matchups, but finding a consistent pass rush would take that unit to the next level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2>   <p>To paraphrase a statement I've heard from several people in and around the Topsail program, I feel confident predicting that the Pirates will beat last year's record.</p>   <p>All joking aside, the offensive upside is intriguing. I've seen Vickers throw several times, and a guy with his arm talent should put up numbers near the top of the 7A class. He has some weapons, both proven and unproven, and even with a difficult schedule, I expect the Pirates to be closer to the top than the bottom of the conference.</p>   <p>It's a rebuild, and only two players mentioned here are seniors, which means the goal is progress this season. That said, the Pirates should be a tough out in the southeastern part of the state.</p>   <p><em>A huge thanks to Topsail head coach TJ Albert for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team.</em></p>

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