After four straight seasons of playing beyond Thanksgiving, Huntington enters 2026 with unfinished business. The Highlanders went 9-3 a year ago, earning the No. 2 seed in Class AAAA before suffering a disappointing quarterfinal exit. Now, head coach Billy Seals has a simple message for his team: "9-3 is not good enough."

Huntington returns one of the state's most talented groups of skill players, including running backs Mayshaun Okonkwo and Trevon Okonkwo, standout receiver Donte Newsome, and a deep receiving corps. A quarterback battle is underway as the Highlanders look to replace key departures while rebuilding an offensive line that lost three college signees.

Seals also discusses why this may be the best linebacker unit Huntington has had in years, led by conference Defensive Player of the Year Ilias King, and the impact legendary former Wayne head coach Tom Harmon will have after joining the Highlanders' coaching staff.

Can Huntington return to championship contention and make another deep playoff run in 2026? Watch our full preseason preview to find out.