Pelion is gearing up for a big 2026 season. 

The Panthers are fresh off one of their best years in recent memory, going 0.500 in the regular season and qualifying for the playoffs. However, the leader of that squad, Cory Helms, left to take the job at Chapin. 

Now, Pelion will look to continue its positive trajectory under the guidance of new head coach Matthew Bennett. 

“I feel like we’ve got a good chance to be competitive,” Bennett said. “Feeling pretty good about numbers, got a big senior class, a dozen or more, and some strong returning players. I think we got a chance to build on the foundation set over the last several years.”

Bennett is the former coach at Ninety Six and played against Pelion a few times. He sees that potential there and wants to turn the program into a postseason winner. 

To do that, he will have to balance building off the blocks already placed and instilling his own culture into the program. 

“We want to be a tough, well-coached, blue-collar football team, and I think that's something you can do here,” he said. “I thought coach Holland had a really good culture here too. His kids worked hard. They were tough. I think Cory kind of built on that, and we're just trying to as well. I told them when I got the job, I felt like Pelion was a program on the rise, and I'm not here to weigh you down. I'm here to keep pulling you up.”

Pelion has spent the summer working hard to prepare for this upcoming season. Bennett is pleased with the progress he’s seen so far, but there is still plenty of room to grow.

Pelion will test itself in the non-region against bigger schools, including local competition in Airport and Swansea. 

“We've got a really good group of kids that have worked really hard,” Bennett said. “I think they're going to put something out there to feel really proud of.”

Players to watch 

Every player on the Pelion team will have an offensive and defensive position this season, except the starting quarterback, Bennett said. 

This is so the Panthers can always guarantee their best 11 guys are on the field at once. 

Senior Alan Moore is the starting quarterback. Bennett described Moore as one of the best pure passers he’s ever coached. 

Brady Cottingham is one of the most versatile weapons on the team. He primarily plays running back and linebacker for Pelion. 

Cottingham will share the workload with Tre Jackson. He will be a wingback for the team this season and also get some run on defense. 

Johnathan Davis was primarily a defensive player under previous coaches, but he will also get some reps in the backfield this season. Davis is described as a game-wrecker and is a state champion in track. 

Cooper Hartley, Eric Maltby and Nehemiah Green are names to watch on the lines. 

2026 schedule

Week 0 - Aug. 21 - at Airport

Week 1 - Aug. 28 - vs. Barnwell 

Week 2 - Sept. 4 - at Ridge Spring-Monetta

Week 3 - Sept. 11 - vs. Swansea

Week 4 - Sept. 18 - at Wagener-Salley

Week 5 - Sept. 25 - BYE

Week 6 - Oct. 2 - at Orangeburg-Wilkinson* 

Week 7 - Oct. 9 - vs. Saluda*

Week 8 - Oct. 16 - vs. Strom Thurmond*

Week 9 - Oct. 23 - vs. Silver Bluff*

Week 10 - Oct. 30 - vs. American Leadership Academy* 

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