Brookland-Cayce head coach Louis Clyburn is expecting a lot of improvement in year two. 

Following a (3-8) 2025 campaign, the Bearcats come into 2026 looking to get even better. With a year together under their belts, Clyburn and the team were able to lock in on skill development in the summertime. 

“They knew our expectations. They kind of knew the schedule, so it was much more efficient,” Clyburn said. “I feel like we were able to focus on not just the basics as we had to last year.

So this summer has been much more skill development oriented and working through any other issues. It was a lot easier.” 

Now that the foundation has been laid, Clyburn is ready to see that translate to success on the field. To him, success isn’t a certain number of wins or losses, but constant improvement. 

It’s also staying locked in mentally. 

“If you anticipate and expect success, you will be more successful. If you expect failure, then you're setting yourself up for failure,” Clyburn said. “I think that'll be a big mental component of our success this season.”

With the experience gained last season, the Bearcats will be comfortable expanding their playbook and defensive schemes. The coaching staff will draw up the best game plan to fit the personnel the team has. 

It’s up to the players to make sure they know their matchups and are in the right spot to make a play. 

“At this level, you’re as good as your players,” Clyburn said. “If our players are good when moving and blitzing, that’s what we’ll do. … We do what our players do well. Who gets the football is determined by who does well when they have the football.”

There are still a few areas Clyburn is hoping the team gets even better at as the season progresses. The most important to him is their play up front. 

Brookland-Cayce wants to always win the battle in the trenches, whether on offense or defense. 

“Games are won and lost with blocking and tackling, and that's what we gotta continue to get better at,” he said. 

The Bearcats will have plenty of opportunities to improve playing the schedule they play. 

While the Bearcats moved down to 3A, so did the majority of other teams in their region. They’ll also play bigger schools in the non-region season, including local 5A school Chapin. 

“I don’t think anyone is walking around thinking our schedule is going to be easier,” Clyburn said. “We’re going to do what we do best and take it one game at a time regardless.”

Players to watch 

Since the Bearcats were so young last season, many of their key players are returning starters. 

Leading tackler Evan Simmons is back and leading the linebackers group this season. He was an All-Region selection in 2025. He’ll play alongside Antwoine Lawson.

Ari Jones is one of the top guys on the defensive line. He is also a returning starter, appearing in every game last season. 

The secondary features many two-way players with offensive and defensive positions. Guys like Mekhi Pringle, Bennett Plane and Campbell Parsons will play defense and also be receivers. 

On offense, Andrew Frick is back for another season as the starting quarterback. Clyburn said he is much improved, both physically and mentally. 

Lining up behind Frick is running back Avery King. He was the team’s leading rusher on the ground last season, totaling over 800 yards and four touchdowns. 

Pringle is expected to be a top receiving target again this season. He led Brookland-Cayce in catches and receiving yards last season. Parsons and Christion Braxton are two other names to watch there. 

Up front on the offensive line is where the team has some of the most experience. Franklin Lykes, Anderson Coggins and Max Clyburn are all seniors with years of playing experience. 

2026 schedule

Week 0 - Aug. 21 - vs. Hammond

Week 1 - Aug. 28 - at Chapin

Week 2 - Sept. 4 - vs. South Aiken

Week 3 - Sept. 11 - at Lakewood

Week 4 - Sept. 18 - BYE

Week 5 - Sept. 25 - at Mid-Carolina

Week 6 - Oct. 2 - vs. Lower Richland*

Week 7 - Oct. 9 - vs. Gilbert*

Week 8 - Oct. 16 - at Camden*

Week 9 - Oct. 23 - vs. Airport*

Week 10 - Oct. 30 - at Swansea*

Note: (*) indicates a game against a region opponent