Football returns to The Pinelands this week as the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets open the 2026 season with a preseason scrimmage against Appling County on Friday, August 7. The home matchup will give Yellow Jacket fans their first opportunity to see this year’s team in action as Jeff Davis begins preparations for what promises to be another exciting season.
While the scrimmage won’t count in the standings, it marks an important first step for a young Yellow Jacket squad looking to establish its identity before the regular season begins.
As the countdown to kickoff comes to an end, Head Coach Lance Helton says the focus has shifted from preparation to competition. “Through all the practices, workouts, film study, and repetitions, it never seems to be enough and always sneaks up on us,” Helton said. “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.”
Throughout the offseason, the Yellow Jackets have emphasized what Helton calls the program’s Code Blue Culture, built on three foundational pillars: Honor God, Win the TNTs (Passion, Accountability, Focus), and Brotherhood Before Self.
Now that the season is here, Helton says the mindset must evolve. “We talk daily in this program about our Code Blue Culture and its 3 Pillars… But shifting over to game weeks things have amped up. We now have to shift our mind into becoming Code Blue Competitors.”
According to Helton, competing for championships requires more than talent. “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.”
The 2026 Yellow Jackets will feature one of the younger rosters in recent years, a challenge Helton believes also presents tremendous opportunity. “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.”
Among the experienced players expected to lead the way are Mark Durden, Kobe Hill, Jacob Laney, Jaiden West, Kenneth Kidd, Bryce Bohannon, Tye Rea, and Jamari Wilcox, who will shoulder significant responsibilities as two-way starters.
Helton also highlighted Josh Worthington, Delbert Sumner, Keylin Biggins, and Garrison Coleman as players who will play important roles in building the team’s depth throughout the season.
Looking ahead, the coach is eager to watch the next generation of Yellow Jackets develop. “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.”
As the Yellow Jackets prepare to begin the season, Helton’s message is clear: this year’s team may be young, but its success will be determined by its commitment to the program’s culture, its willingness to compete, and its ability to grow together throughout the season.
For more from Coach Helton, including his complete message to Yellow Jacket fans, visit the Jeff Davis Football News Blog.
