High School Varsity Football Touchdown Preview: Strawberry Crest High School, 2026

Strawberry Crest has had one particular goal in mind the last several seasons — make the playoffs. The last two seasons they came up one game short of reaching that goal.
The Chargers have been very consistent under eight-year Head Coach Phillip Prior, finishing at or above .500. The one thing the team hasn’t done during his tenure is make the playoffs. They won six games the previous two seasons but will have to win one more to get over the hump this season. They had started strong the last two seasons, but Prior wants his team to finish the year stronger. The team’s motto is “Earn it.”

Prior has another young team, with only two players with varsity experience on offense and four on defense. He said it will take time for these players to get the experience and reps under their belts, and they will go through some growing pains throughout the season. He thinks that his defense will be the strength of the team, relying on the seniors that know what the schemes are and how to execute them. He also thinks that his offense will be explosive this year. He likes that his team is hungry, that they work hard and are extremely coachable.
Sophomore quarterback ZIjohn Stallworth takes over the offense. Prior said that Stallworth does a lot of things well. He has the ability to extend plays with his legs, can run with the ball and has a lot of arm talent. It’s his first season playing varsity football, elevated from their JV system last year. He will only get better as he gains experience and matures as a player throughout the season.

In the past, Strawberry Crest has had the heavy running game in their offensive arsenal. They will utilize senior running backs Tre Feliciano and Roosevelt Miller. Sophomore receiver Santana Sheppard scored a touchdown in the Preseason Classic. Senior receiver Ezra Brantley will be an explosive player for them. Senior linebacker Brice Robinson was the team’s leading tackler last season and has a nose for the football. He will also play some offense and is the punter for the Chargers.

Strawberry Crest has an extremely tough schedule, especially to start this season. The first two games are at home against Sumner and Durant. Prior and his team are embracing the difficult early schedule, thinking that the experience will pay dividends at the back end of the year. They end the season against Lennard. Steinbrenner, Alonso and Palm Harbor University are their district opponents. The Chargers will most likely have to win their district to go to the playoffs.

“I looked to see as this team continues to grow, that we are playing our best football as we get into district play and we start thinking about playoffs,” said Prior. “I think that every season has challenges, and we have some weak spots, but we need some guys to step up. I’m just excited about what this team has the potential to be, so we need to put in that work to make that potential become reality.”

Schedule:

8/21 vs. Sumner

10/30 @ Lennard