KICKOFF COUNTDOWN: Holtville has different look heading into 2026

Holtville running back Daishaun Zeigler rushed for 1,480 yards and five touchdowns last year. He expects another big season in 2026. (Kyle Thornton)

By BILL LUMPKIN, III

Every season has a story. The Holtville Bulldogs had one last year they would just soon forget.

After a heartbreaking season-opening, one-point loss at Trinity, a team that eventually went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs bounced back with two straight wins and were sitting pretty at 2-1 and 1-0 in Class 5A Region 4 before the wheels came completely off the bus.

The season ended with seven straight losses, including defeats of 24, 38, 27, 42 and 32 points over a five-game stretch.

Not to worry. The 2026 version has a different look.

""We're already a different team,” said senior linebacker Blake Irvin, who had a tattoo on his bicep from Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me).

"We have guys leading by example in the weight room and making sure we put last year in the past. We could have been good last year. We had the athletes. We started off good, then it was crappy from there. We need to set the tone early and keep it going the entire season."

Last year’s Holtville defense gave up 31, 31, 52, 27, 42 and 46 points over six consecutive games beginning the third week of the season, prompting third-year coach Cory Lee to make a change. He added longtime St. James defensive coordinator Jeff Corley to his staff.

"He's been around high school for a long time,” Lee said. “He's already great with the kids. He's going to be a huge addition to the coaching staff."

Junior Gavin Russom is the new quarterback and has noticed a different mindset.

"I look at myself as a role model and leader of the team," he said. "Last year it felt like we had no leadership and players that really just didn't want to be there. We're already a lot closer.

Russom has a couple of big offensive weapons in running back Daishaun Zeigler and play-making wide receiver Bryant Boone.

Zeigler rushed for a team-best 1,480 yards and five touchdowns last year.

"I want the ball on every down," Zeigler said. "We feel like we can be good. We just have to take everything serious. I don't need all those goals about how many yards or touchdowns, just give me the ball and the results will speak for themselves."

Boone led the teams in receiving yards and touchdowns a year ago.

"Last year it felt like we were so complacent," Boone said."I plan on doing my part. Maybe I can get 600 or 700 yards receiving and a couple of interceptions. We just need to have some early success and take it from there."

Despite the 2-8 record a year ago, Lee remains as confident as ever.

"We're in year three in our program and I think the players have really bought in," he said. "We've got 13 seniors and also a big junior class. We've got a lot more experience and a lot more leadership than we've had. It's the best we've had, especially at this point in the season. These kids understand what our standard is.

"We've lost some games these last two years where we just didn't make plays that we needed to make. That's been the driving point the entire offseason. You don't know when, but when you are called on to make that play, you've got to make it. And, I feel really good about that."

One of the keys this year will be in the trenches.

"They never get the credit, but I mean that's the name of the game," Lee said. "If you don't have a good offensive line, you're not going to be very good. I think we're in a better situation than at this time last year.

"Of course, we want to be balanced, but we want to run the football. A lot of people say it, but we want to control the football, We don't want to play 60 or 70 plays on defense. We want every possession to end with a kick. You just can't give up the big play. If they put together a 10 or 12-play drive, just tip your hat to them."

Despite a 6-15 record in his first two years, Lee sees a lot of promise.

Holtville had made the state playoffs seven straight years before last year. The problem is the Bulldogs haven't won a state playoff game since 1993. They are 5-19 overall in first-round games and winless (0-5) in the next round.

"Maybe it's baby steps, but our goals are to win every time we take the field," Lee said. "It's just going to come down to the guys who are going to make the plays in crucial situations."

One advantage is the Bulldogs drop down from Class 5A to Class 4A.

"We're in a new region, but it's one where I don't think anybody is just head and shoulders above anybody else," he said. "I don't think there's really anybody at the bottom, either. We're kind of all grouped together. We all want to win championships. The question is how do we get there.

"Last year I would turn on the film and I would try to show them we were like maybe two plays from winning the game. It has to translate to Friday night. I believe we have those guys. I know we're going to compete and play hard on every down.”

Holtville opens the season at Sylacauga on Aug. 21.