We tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Orange Park High School football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the Raiders this season.
2025 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 4-7
- Points Scored: 209
- Points Allowed: 339
Key Roster Losses
The Raiders will enter this season without dual-threat quarterback and team captain Gabe Taylor, who signed with Webber International University following his standout career leading the Orange Park offense over the past three seasons. He’s coming off a senior season in 2025 that saw him throw for 1,580 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 290 yards with five touchdowns. He ends his career as a three-year starter with 3,936 combined rushing and passing yards and 48 touchdowns.
His top two receiving targets, wide receivers Devon Rail and Brock Aflleje, will also not be returning. Aflleje had 17 catches for 353 yards receiving and averaged 20.8 yards per catch. He was also the team’s kicker, successfully converting 20 of 22 extra point attempts last year and two of three field goal attempts, including his longest of 42 yards. Rail ended the season with 222 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Top defensive players Jeremiah Jennings, Jayden Blanton, and Achai Strother will also have to be replaced. The three combined for 160 total tackles, including 12.5 sacks last year.
Key Players Returning
The Raiders will return several defensive playmakers, including junior defensive back Robert Lewis, who had 46 tackles last season, senior defensive back Zachariah Murphy, who had 25 tackles last season along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown, and senior defensive back Julian Still, who had 46 tackles, three interceptions, and a blocked punt last season.
On offense, Orange Park returns senior Austee’n Mills, who rushed for 258 yards on 51 carries with a touchdown last year, along with 18 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Another threat on offense is back with the return of senior running back and wide receiver Xzavier Jones, who led the team with 78 carries last season with 363 rushing yards. He also had 26 catches for 236 receiving yards and a touchdown.
What to Expect From the Orange Park Raiders in 2026
The Raiders will have some really good skill position players back this year, which will give head coach Marcus Wimberly an opportunity to finally put his Orange Park team in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The biggest challenge facing the fifth-year head coach and his offensive staff will be to fill the big shoes of three-year starting quarterback Gabe Taylor. They will also have to find a new kicker to replace Brock Aflleje, who has handled the kicking chores over the past two seasons.
2026 Season Prediction
Look for Orange Park to break through this season, finishing 6-4 and securing a playoff spot.
Game to Watch
Aug. 21 versus Andrew Jackson
Orange Park’s 2026 Football Schedule
- 8/21 vs. Andrew Jackson
- 8/28 at Oakleaf
- 9/03 vs. Atlantic Coast
- 9/11 at Clay
- 9/18 vs. Parker
- 9/25 vs. Fleming Island
- 10/09 at Middleburg
- 10/16 at St. Augustine
- 10/23 vs. Ridgeview
- 10/30 at Flagler Palm Coast
