Jag Nation, It's Time! Let the 2026 Season Begin.

The wait is almost over. West Florida High School football is back, and Jaguar Nation has every reason to be fired up for what's ahead. As the program enters Year 2 of its rebuild, the pieces are falling into place, and the excitement building around this team is impossible to ignore.

A Program on the Rise

Head Coach Wes Summerford doesn't hide his enthusiasm when talking about this year's roster. "I am very excited about the talent we have in our football program this season," Coach said. "In Year 2 of building our program, we have developed a balanced roster with talent and depth at every level."

That depth spans the entire roster. Veteran leadership from the senior class has set the tone throughout the offseason, while a wave of talented sophomores and freshmen have stepped in ready to compete. "Our senior leadership has been outstanding, and we are equally excited about the young players — from our sophomores to the freshmen who have recently joined the program," Coach said. "That balance gives us a strong foundation as we prepare for the challenges ahead."

From Preparation to Execution

The offseason grind is done. Now comes the hard part, turning months of preparation into results once the season kicks off. "While it is still preseason, our success this year will be determined by how quickly we gain meaningful game experience and how well we execute in all three phases of the game, offense, defense, and special teams," Coach explained. "Our players have embraced the work throughout the offseason, and now the focus shifts to consistently applying that preparation when the lights come on Friday nights."

A Tougher District Awaits

The Jaguars remain in the same classification this season, but don't mistake that for an easy road. The district just got a lot harder, with South Walton and Pine Forest joining the slate. "Our district slate will be more demanding than it was a year ago, and every week will require discipline, preparation, and toughness," Coach said. "It will be imperative that we stay healthy through the heart of our schedule and learn to play well on the road if we want to compete for a district championship."

Rather than shy away from the added competition, Coach is embracing it as fuel for growth.

"I welcome these challenges because they provide our student-athletes with opportunities to grow," he said. "I look forward to watching this team compete with passion, represent West Florida with pride, and strive for excellence both on the football field and in the classroom. We are excited about what lies ahead and are ready to embrace the opportunities that the 2026 season will bring."

Eyes on the Red and Black Game

Before the season opener, all eyes turn to the annual Red and Black Game, a critical evaluation tool for the coaching staff as they put the finishing touches on the roster. "In the Red and Black Game, we will be looking for the fine-tuning of our evaluations from the offseason and fall camp," Coach said. "We should have the first team established by then, but we are more focused on looking for those individuals who can add depth to our roster."

Every rep matters as the staff searches for hidden gems who could make a difference when the games count. "We will examine closely to make sure we have not missed a player who can contribute in a Friday Night contest," Coach said. "Any depth we can squeeze out from those evaluations will help us be prepared personnel-wise once we get to the regular season."

Your First Look

Jaguar Nation, this is your chance to get an early look at the 2026 team in action. The entire community is invited to the Red and Black Game on Friday, August 7 at 5:00 PM, 150 E Burgess Road.

Best part? Admission is simple, just bring a case of water or sports drinks to donate to the team.

Come out, support the Jaguars, and be part of the energy as this team kicks off what promises to be an exciting 2026 season. See you Friday night and GO JAGS!