We tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Yulee High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Hornets this season.
2025 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 8-3
- Points Scored: 281
- Points Allowed: 175
Key Roster Losses
According to Yulee head coach Kyle Dougherty, the Hornets will miss several players who have graduated from last season’s eight-win team, including defensive lineman and tight end Cayden “Turtle” Ricks, defensive back Jaiden Wright, defensive back and running back Shamar Gibbs, and defensive lineman Payton Raines.
Ricks was one of the team’s top receivers from his tight end spot in 2025, averaging a little over 20 yards per catch. He had eight receptions for 163 yards with two touchdowns. He also was credited with five pancake blocks on the offensive line.
On defense, Ricks was even more impressive, making 66 tackles with a stunning 40 of those tackles for loss. That included nine sacks from his defensive lineman position last season.
Ricks was named Yulee High Athlete of the Year and will continue his football career at Charleston Southern University.
Fellow defensive lineman Payton Raines ended up with 35 tackles and 15 tackles for loss, which was second on the team behind Ricks.
Gibbs made quite the impact on both offense and defense last year. He led the team with seven interceptions from his defensive back spot, including a pick six, while also forcing a fumble and recovering a fumble. He also had 39 tackles for the season.
On offense Gibbs ended up with 129 yards rushing with two touchdowns, but his two-year rushing total was 626 yards with six total touchdowns.
Fellow defensive back Jaiden Wright ended last season with 57 tackles, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
Key Players Returning
Yulee welcomes back several key players from 2025, including nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters.
Among the key returners are Pete Kuhlman and Tre Vazquez at the wide receiver position, Jayden Timmon at running back, and Sage Newberry at tight end. Newberry may be the primary target at that spot with the departure of Ricks.
The offensive line will benefit with the return of linemen Cody Ogburn, Thomas Coles, and Kaden Chandler.
On defense, the Hornets will bring back defensive lineman Ryan Murphy, along with defensive backs Maddox Brooks and Teagen Rebane. JJ Etienne and Jaison Brown will be back at linebacker in 2026. Etienne was one of the team’s leading tacklers last season.
What to Expect From the Yulee Hornets in 2026
Dougherty is back for his sixth season as the Yulee head football coach and said he expects this year’s squad to “build off the foundation of last year.”
“We did a great job last year of bouncing back from a rough season (in 2024),” Dougherty said of last year’s 8-3 team.
“Really impressed with the group of young guys and their development,” Dougherty said. “If they can elevate their game to become valuable varsity pieces, it will turn over to some quality wins on the field for us in 2026.”
Yulee moves to Class 4A this year and will be in a district with Columbia, Ed White, Ribault, and Riverside.
2026 Season Prediction
Look for a 9-3 season with a couple of playoff wins.
Game to Watch
Aug. 21 at Baldwin
Yulee’s 2026 Football Schedule
- 8/21 at Baldwin
- 8/28 at First Coast
- 9/04 vs. Fernandina Beach
- 9/11 vs. Baker County
- 9/18 at West Nassau
- 9/25 at Ed White
- 10/09 at Riverside
- 10/16 vs. Ribault
- 10/23 at Columbia
- 10/30 vs. Zarephath Academy
