2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Coolidge (DC)

Coolidge ended 2025 as a champion, and the part that should get your attention is how much of that team is still here. Six offensive starters and nine defensive starters return for Kevin Nesbitt.

That does not guarantee another trophy, but it changes the starting point. John Lafontant, Mark Green, Aaron Ballard, Kai Nesbitt and Malachi Hooks give the Colts an experienced core that can spend less time learning where to stand and more time expanding what the team can do.

Team Snapshot

Team: Coolidge Colts

Location: Washington, District of Columbia

Head Coach: Kevin Nesbitt

2025 Record: 8-5

2025 Finish: DCIAA champion

Returning Starters: 6 offense, 9 defense

A Champion With Continuity

Coolidge's nine returning defensive starters set the floor. A unit with that much familiarity should communicate faster, disguise more and handle sudden-change possessions better. The Colts do not have to wait for the defense to find its voice; it already has one.

The offense brings back six starters. Lafontant and Green provide experience, Ballard and Kai Nesbitt add more two-way value, and Hooks gives the Colts another player capable of carrying a larger role. Luis Martinez and Kesean Mason deepen that returning group.

I want to see whether Coolidge can carry championship urgency through the regular season. The title is now the standard everyone will use against the Colts. Fifteen returning starters should help them handle that attention, but only if last year's success makes the details sharper rather than comfortable.

Players to Know

John Lafontant

Lafontant is part of the experienced core expected to lead Coolidge's DCIAA title defense.

Mark Green

Green gives the Colts another returning player who understands the championship standard.

Aaron Ballard

Ballard should carry a larger role within a roster returning 15 starters.

Kai Nesbitt

Nesbitt's experience supports Coolidge's continuity on both sides of the ball.

Malachi Hooks

Hooks gives Coolidge another dependable contributor within its championship core.

Luis Martinez and Kesean Mason

Martinez and Mason add depth around the Colts' most experienced players.

Mekhi Wilson

Wilson adds another option to a rotation that should have competition at every level.

Complete 2026 Schedule

Aug. 28: at Hunter-Kinard-Tyler (SC)

Sept. 4: at Gonzaga

Sept. 12: Mergenthaler Vo-Tech

Sept. 18: vs KIPP College Prep

Sept. 25: Bell

Oct. 22: Eastern

Oct. 31: at Roosevelt

Nov. 6: at Dunbar

Biggest Question

Will Coolidge's 15 returning starters play with the same urgency now that the Colts are defending a championship?

That is the test I would set. Experience should reduce mistakes, but it can also make a team assume it will solve problems later. Coolidge is at its best if the veteran defense controls games early and the offense treats every possession like it still has something to prove.

Bottom Line

Coolidge has the returning experience to win the DCIAA again. The title defense will not be easy, but the Colts are not starting over. They are bringing back the players and the structure that made last season possible.

MISTER F00TBALL's National High School Football Composite Rankings, partnered with and powered by Prep Gridiron Logistics, the only rankings to include every national poll and every team receiving a Top 25 vote.

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T25PS Prediction

Regular Season: 7-1

Postseason: DCIAA championship appearance.

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Thanks for reading,

Alex | T25PS

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