The 2026 high school football season in Augusta began with a flurry of activity, as teams took the field eager to set the tone for the year.
Among the newcomers, junior running back Mykheal Smith, who transferred from Richmond Academy to Burke County, made an immediate impact, rushing for 103 yards in his debut against Greenbrier.
Emerging Stars
Evans High School continued its long‑standing dominance over Harlem, securing a 37‑20 victory that stretched the Bulldogs’ losing streak to seven games in over two decades. Head coach Lee Hutto credited the win to a strong turnover battle and physical gameplay.
Junior cornerback Brycen Gault was a pivotal factor for Evans, intercepting two passes and returning one for a touchdown while also adding nearly 200 rushing yards to his stat line.
Hephzibah High School opened with a 47‑0 shutout of Oglethorpe County, where senior athlete Reante Byrd accounted for three rushing touchdowns and threw an additional score, marking a dramatic turnaround from the previous 3‑7 season.
Other local programs posted solid starts as Augusta Christian defeated John Paul II 33‑10 and Aquinas rolled past Glascock County 37‑12, underscoring the depth of competition in the region.
Coaches and analysts alike point to the intensive offseason work and player development as the driving forces behind these early statements, suggesting that the 2026 season could be one of the most competitive in recent memory.