Portal football Head Coach Jason McEachin is ready to lead his team back to the playoffs.

“We’ve been right on the cusp of winning a couple games we needed to win for the last two years (to make the playoffs),” he said. “Those close games have kept us out. It’s time to find a way to get over the hump and get our football team back in the playoffs; 2023 was a long time ago.”

That’s the year the Panthers claimed their first region championship in school history.

To get back to the postseason, the team will look to build off their 4-6 record from a season ago.

McEachin said the starting point for any offense is controlling the line of scrimmage, and while the Panthers graduated several players from the offensive line, he’s confident in those he’ll have lining up there, including senior Tre Ellison, who has multiple college offers.

“He’s a great kid, hard worker, good demeanor, and we’re expecting a big season out of him,” McEachin said.

The other returning lineman is senior Devin Rhodes, who will move to center after playing guard in previous years for the Panthers.

“I like to have guys in the middle that are smart and accountable, and Devin’s one of those kids who falls into that role,” he said.

McEachin said junior Trayvon Hatcher is a strong candidate to start at one of the tackle spots, with the remaining two lineman spots up for grabs. He said it’s likely they could be filled by committee in an effort to rest some players who may have to play both offense and defense.

Portal is expected to have depth at the offensive line position, as several younger players have caught McEachin’s eye in offseason workouts as players who could potentially step in if called up, including Mat Mallard, Nick Newkirk and Tatum Boggs, among others.

A strong backfield

In the backfield, the Panthers will have a new starter under center, as 2025 quarterback Gideon Fulcher moved away. Sophomore Omar Thomas is expected to lead the offensive attack for Portal entering the 2026 season, after playing in every junior varsity game in 2025.

“He’s a good, level-headed kid who doesn’t get too high or too low based on the situation, which is what you want out of a quarterback,” McEachin said. “He’s well-liked by his peers, and he’s always going to show up to work and get better.

“We’re going to have to count on him to grow up fast and (be) a good decision-maker for us to be good early.”

McEachin said fullback is where his team probably has the most depth, with senior KJ Hunter, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a junior, along with Josh Coleman, Charles Weaver and Jase McEachin. All four are expected to see playing time on defense, as well.

“We’re going to try to play a fullback by committee so that they can stay fresh and help us on both sides of the ball,” McEachin said.

McEachin sees his biggest offensive threats lining up at slotback, with senior Jason Crawford and junior Zeke Purcell leading the way.

“We’re going to try and make sure he gets the ball,” McEachin said of Crawford, who was second on the team last year with 365 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Percell led Portal with 483 yards on the ground and seven rushing touchdowns.

“He’s another one that we’re going to get the ball to, whether we have to hand it to him, toss it to him or throw it to him,” McEachin said of Percell.

Out at receiver, sophomore Trent Forehand has one spot locked up, while the Panthers likely again will go with a committee approach for the other receiver. CJ Harden, Waylon Martin and Kayden Busby are all in the mix to get time there.

On defense

Defensively, the Panthers will look to improve on a season that saw Portal surrender an average of 32 points per game in 2025.

Coleman, who also plays basketball and won the state championship in discus, is expected to anchor the defensive line, along with Newkirk.

“(Newkirk) may have to start both ways,” McEachin said. “We’re going to try not to do that, but we may have to.”

While those two will solidify the defensive line, the nose guard position could see a rotation of players, as McEachin seeks to balance performance with rest for guys who also may be playing offense. Hatcher, CJ Lovett and Damian Hagins are among players who could see time there.

The Panthers return a lot of depth at linebacker, with junior Weaver leading the way. Weaver was named to the All-Region team in 2025 and had more than 100 tackles for Portal.

Joining him will be members of the fullback core McEachin mentioned, including Hunter and Jase McEachin.

Senior Rasheen Jackson likely will get the nod at one outside linebacker spot, with the other still yet to be determined.

There could be some rotation between linebacker and the secondary, McEachin said, with some players playing both positions, depending on need. Senior Lee Drawdy is one of those who could see time at both spots.

“He’s kind of a guy that we have to move around year to year to help with depth, and he’s always open to doing that,” McEachin said.

Seniors Ki-ayr Murray-Hill and Crawford have the inside track to start the year at cornerback for Portal, while the free safety position is another spot that could be handled by several players if no one steps up to win the position during practice.

“We’re just not sure who is going to take that free safety spot,” McEachin said.

Tucker Lee, Jackson Gay, Corbin Williams and Forehand could all be in the mix to claim the position.

Senior Hayden Scott will hold down the kicking duties for the Panthers, who has been 100 percent on PATs in his career when there’s been a good snap and hold. McEachin said he’ll be comfortable calling for longer field goal attempts with Scott this year, as he’s gotten stronger and bigger.

“He’s going to be a weapon for us as a kicker, and we’re definitely going to count on him,” he said.

Smaller region

Portal is in a smaller region for the 2026 season with only four other teams — Claxton, Montgomery County, McIntosh County Academy and Emanuel County Institute. McEachin said with the changes to the Georgia High School Association playoff format, the only way to guarantee being a top 16 seed and hosting a first round playoff game is to win the region.

“That’s definitely the goal,” he said.

“The region championship probably goes through ECI, so if we want a chance of that, we’re going to have to find a way to beat them when we play them.”

Portal will open the season with Wheeler County on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. as part of the Erk Russell Classic at Paulson Stadium.

2026 Portal football schedule

Aug. 21 at Wheeler County

Aug. 28 Bryan County

Sept. 4 at Jenkins County

Sept. 11 Telfair County

Sept. 18 at Atkinson County

Sept. 25 Blackville-Hilda

Oct. 9 at Claxton

Oct. 16 Montgomery County

Oct. 30 at Emanuel County Institute

Nov. 6 McIntosh Co. Academy