Saint James High School football is entering the 2026 season with a roster so thin that many athletes will be expected to contribute on both sides of the ball.
The quarterback competition is already generating buzz, as Michael Hassell has been taking first‑team reps while Carson Crum shows promising mobility in the pocket.
On defense, the linebacker corps looks set to be a strong point, with veterans Henry Wright and Grant Goff slated to anchor the unit.
A New Head Coach Brings Hope
Hayden Stockton, a former Alabama player, was hired as the fourth head coach in four years, tasked with restoring continuity after a period of instability.
The team will also compete in the newly created Single A private school division after the AHSAA split postseason play, a move that follows a missed playoff berth in 2025, the first since 2013.
Players arrived at fall camp with visible energy and strong communication, and early drills revealed only minor mental lapses, suggesting a focused approach from the coaching staff.