A New Era for the Jaguars
Everette Alford arrived in Port St. Lucie with a résumé that includes a state championship at Lighthouse Private Christian Academy and seven years as a defensive assistant at Navarre High School, where he helped shape a stout front that dominated opponents. His hiring marks the fourth head‑coach change in five seasons, but Alford brings a sense of continuity through his deep roots in the Treasure Coast and his familiarity with the region’s talent pool.
The Jaguars finished 2025 winless, a stark contrast to the 417‑40 loss they endured under Lamalik Sherman’s lone season. Alford’s appointment was positioned to reverse that trend, and the coach has already praised the high turnout of players for spring practice, noting that over 50 athletes have reported to the field.
Friday night’s spring game against Palm Beach Gardens‑based Dwyer will serve as the first real test of Alford’s schemes. The matchup will spotlight a revamped defense led by new coordinator Romanique Lewis, as well as a series of positional experiments that include a newly emphasized tight‑end role and a revamped secondary.
Among the returning interior linemen and exterior receivers, rising junior Alxaiver Bulgin is emerging as the primary target in the passing game. On defense, seniors Emmanuel Nelson and Tanner Cycotte, along with junior Joseph Brown, anchor a front that Alford describes as "stout" and capable of generating pressure without blitzing.
Alford has been candid about the adversity he expects to encounter, stating that he wants to see how his players respond when the lights are on and the crowd roars. The coach’s confidence stems not only from the talent on display but also from the chemistry he has observed in the locker room, where veteran leaders and newcomers alike are buying into a shared vision for 2026.