Code Blue Culture
Well folks, it's here! Football season seems to jump on you in a hurry this time of year. Through all the practices, workouts, film study, and repetitions, it never seems to be enough and always sneaks up on us. I have been around this game since I was 10 years old, and the one thing that holds true to this day is going into a game week we never feel like we are quite ready. That's the beauty of this sport. We have to rely on our training regimen, our brothers, and the fears of the unknown to play this gladiators game.
This summer has been a good one. There were many unknowns coming into this 2026 season. Things such as a small senior class (5), a new Defensive Coordinator, multiple new defensive starters, and replacing 3 dynamic offensive pieces seemed to be on everyone's mind. We have battled opponents, elements, and teenage hormones to get to the spot we are in today. We have a roster of 60 young men that are scrappy, love Brotherhood, and are willing to fight for each other. As their coach, that makes me proud.
We talk daily in this program about our Code blue Culture and its 3 Pillars which are Honor God, Win the TNT's (Passion, Accountability, Focus), and Brotherhood before Self. But shifting over to game weeks things have amped up. We now have to shift our mind into becoming Code Blue Competitors. In order to compete for Region Championships we have to compete with a Warrior Spirit, Never Panic, and Finish! That is where we must grow moving forward in this 2026 journey.
Our team is in a unique situation in 2026. We are so young and unproven, that we will have to be carried on the backs of around 22 players as we develop our young crop. We have multiple 2 way starters highlighted by names like Mark Durden, Kobe Hill, Jacob Laney, Jaiden West, Kenneth Kidd, Bryce Bohannon, Tye Rea, and Jamari Wilcox. ONe way players such as Josh Worthington, Delbert Sumner, Keylin Biggins, and Garrison Coleman will have to grow in an effort to continue depth development for our team. I am also very excited to see young players like Braylin Varnadore, Gio Torres, Jeremiah Davis, Trent Carswell, RJ Bruin, Lucian McDaniel and others get the opportunity to grow into prime time players for the Jackets in 2026.
I am excited for what is to come in 2026 for the Jackets. Our young roster is hungry, talented, and will be tested early. Key scrimmages against the likes of Appling and Dublin will test the young Jackets as we develop into Friday night fashion. Our Non Region slate of opponents (Vidalia, Clinch, Metter, MCA) will have us battle tested when it comes time for the gauntlet of Region 1 2A. I am looking to continue to identify runners and hitters throughout the month of August, because you can never have enough of them. We are going to develop and grow as the season progresses, and ultimately we want to be in a position to play our best football on week 11. See you in The Pinelands soon! When you're wearing Navy, you're as good as Gold! #4TB
-Coach Helton