2026 Preview: Pickens Blue Flame

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   Pickens had a tough 2025 season, finishing with a 3-8 record and falling to Westside in the first round of the playoffs.    But that was then, and this is now, and the Blue Flame led by senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1581467' first='Brooks' last='Dow'] (pictured above) have been hard at work to right the wrongs from 2025 and get things on track as the 2026 season opens at home against Easley on August 21.   “We've definitely put in more work. Last season was not good and I think everybody that played on the team last season has that in the back of their mind every time we do something. We're not going to let that happen again. You've got to be relentless in what you do,” Dow told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Fountain Inn on June 26.   The Blue Flame returns 10 starters from a group that averaged 30 points per game in 2025 and will be senior laden up front with [player_tooltip player_id='1821133' first='Garrett' last='Adcox'] and Silas Bates back at the tackle spots along with Ryan Moody at guard and [player_tooltip player_id='1821134' first='Noah' last='Madden'] at center. [player_tooltip player_id='1819044' first='Jackson' last='Elrod'] is the lone junior expected to start at guard. [player_tooltip player_id='1821136' first='Harrison' last='Clark'] returns as the team's third leading receiver with 21 receptions for 283 yards. We'll get to more of the returners at the skill positions below.   Dow and his group have been busy building the chemistry they need that will hopefully result in tons of points on the scoreboard in 2026.   “Just getting a whole bunch of reps, knowing their speed and what their strengths are and where to put the ball and where they like the ball better.”    Nine starters return on defense for the Blue Flame, and while they had their fair share of struggles in 2025, senior lineman TJ McCullough is embracing the challenge of being a leader and helping the defense turn things around.   “Everybody is locked in and they know a lot more, especially our secondary. They're starting to understand it. And I think that's going to help us out,” McCullough said.   The defensive line will be senior laden with Wes Hullett at nose guard and [player_tooltip player_id='1821143' first='Ethan' last='Bentley'] at the nose tackle spot. [player_tooltip player_id='1821138' first='Aniken' last='Saunders'] is the lone junior on the line at the defensive end spot. [player_tooltip player_id='1823743' first='Laken' last='Hamilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823746' first='Nate' last='Taylor'] are the expected starters at linebacker. Sam Hall is expected to get the start at nickel while [player_tooltip player_id='1821145' first='Connor' last='Mason'] will anchor one of the corner spots.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1581467' first='Brooks' last='Dow'] QB, 2027 – The University of South Carolina commit lit up the stat sheet and the scoreboard in 2025, throwing for 1492 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2025 while leading the team in rushing with 883 yards and five touchdowns, with five games that he had over 100 yards rushing as well. His running ability is fun to watch when he gets in the open field. If he finds an open lane, it could be a house call. But if you get too caught up in that, he'll toss it right over your head for a score – and he showed an ability to keep plays alive with his ability to scramble as well.   Dow on his commitment to South Carolina: “I spent a lot of my spring down there, just being with them and talking to the coaches and building that connection with them. It's really just the people and what they're doing there and I love it.”   TJ McCullough OL/DL, 2027 – McCullough can open up holes in the run game and has good knee bend offensively. His size is impressive as well. But where the senior does most of his work is from his defensive end spot, where he can clog up run lanes and make things hard for an opposing back. As far as rushing the passer, he uses his hands well to defeat blocks and get after quarterbacks with a motor that is always running.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823740' first='Cam' last='Wilson'] WR, 2027 – The three-sport athlete who plays baseball and basketball returns for his senior season after recording over 600 yards and seven touchdowns on 48 receptions in 2025. He is a great route runner who can run a variety of different routes, including corner and ones to the sideline. The Blue Flame used him on jet sweeps as well. He has good hands to be able to catch it right in stride and get up field. He's also a difference maker on special teams as he had several long returns in 2025.   Wilson on his connection with Dow: “It's really fun. He definitely challenges me sometimes, puts a little bit on the ball but at the end of the day, I know I've got to do it for him and try my absolute best to make him look better,” Wilson said.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823739' first='Ashton' last='Woody'] WR, 2027 – Woody could be on pace to have a bigger impact in 2026 as a senior as he had seven receptions for 128 yards in the few games he played in 2025.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1708840' first='David' last='Bolden'] RB, 2027 – When Bolden gets a head of steam out into the open field, look out because he can be explosive. He has great speed when he finds the green grass and has good vision to be able to get up field quickly and get extra yardage. He can line up at receiver and make an impact in the run game on jet sweeps or on a quick out route and can make good north and south progress. He returns to the Blue Flame for his senior season as the team's second leading rusher with 463 yards on 85 carries for two touchdowns in 2025. He had 12 receptions for 74 yards in 2025 as well.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1821139' first='Rylie' last='Johnson'] DB, 2028 – Johnson is another aggressive corner who can react quickly when the ball is in the air and make picks, like we saw on film against Seneca last year. He's athletic and speedy when he gets into the open field, and the Blue Flame used him at running back some in 2025 as he rushed 39 times for 121 yards and one touchdown.   Bryson White DB, 2028 – White is expected to get the start at one of the corner spots, and he holds his own well. On special teams, he keeps his eyes in the right place and can make sure tackles when they present themselves. In the run game, he can come up in run support with good form tackles.    Arnold is a hard hitter from his safety position. He can read and react well to the ball when it is in the air. He made a pick six last year where he broke on the ball at just the right time and got downfield quickly before anyone could get to him.   He can jump with athletic receivers and make interceptions after recognizing the route. He can also flip over to receiver and make an impact – he was the team's second leading receiver with 21 receptions for 283 yards in 2025.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.