Crescent Football 2026 Preview, Players and Schedule | Top 25 Public HSFB
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2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Crescent (SC)
A 3,255-yard quarterback and nine returning defensive starters put Crescent in position to contend for a region title.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/18/20264 min read
Crescent enters 2026 with a proven quarterback, nine returning defensive starters and a realistic path to the Region 1-AA championship. The Tigers went 8-4 last season, beat Union County 52-14 in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs and finished with a 50-49 loss to Mountain View Prep.
Team Snapshot
Location: Iva, South Carolina
Classification: Class AA, Region 1
Head Coach: Sheldon Evans
2025 Record: 8-4
2025 Finish: Second round of the Class AA playoffs
Returning Starters: Seven on offense, nine on defense
Crescent produced 457 points in 12 games last season. The offense now brings back the quarterback responsible for 3,255 total yards and 45 touchdowns, while the defense retains most of a unit that gained valuable playoff experience.
2026 Outlook
The foundation is senior quarterback Mason Evans. He completed a 2,223-yard, 26-touchdown passing season and added 1,032 rushing yards with 19 more scores. That dual-threat production gives Crescent an answer when the original call breaks down and forces defenses to defend the entire field.
Junior athlete PJ Deveaux gives Evans a versatile target after scoring three receiving touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Senior lineman Tinsley Evans is part of the returning group responsible for keeping the offense balanced and functional up front.
The larger advantage may be on defense. Seniors Jace Devlin and Austin Whitcomb each averaged 8.2 tackles per game, Hunter Dale created a turnover and Nyleek Geer-Harrison averaged 9.8 tackles with three interceptions. With nine starters back on that side, Crescent should not need to win every important game in a shootout.
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The Tigers have not won a region championship since 1997. This roster has the experience to change that, but the nonregion stretch against Abbeville, Seneca and Franklin County will reveal how quickly the veteran core is ready to carry championship expectations.
Players to Know
Mason Evans, QB, Senior
Evans is the center of the offense after totaling 2,223 passing yards, 1,032 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns in 2025. His ability to create with both his arm and legs gives Crescent one of the most productive returning quarterbacks in South Carolina Class AA.
PJ Deveaux, ATH, Junior
Deveaux scored five offensive touchdowns last season, including three as a receiver. His alignment flexibility gives Crescent another way to create favorable matchups around Evans.
Hunter Dale, OLB/WR, Senior
Dale contributes on both sides of the ball and created a fumble takeaway last season. His two-way role matters for a program that wants to control games with experience and physicality.
Jace Devlin, OLB/H-back, Senior
Devlin averaged 8.2 tackles per game and recorded a sack. He also gives Crescent a dependable two-way option at H-back.
Austin Whitcomb, LB, Senior
Whitcomb matched Devlin at 8.2 tackles per game. His consistency in the middle is a major reason Crescent returns such a strong defensive floor.
Tinsley Evans, OL, Senior
Evans is one of the veteran blockers charged with protecting a 3,255-yard quarterback and sustaining the run game against a demanding early schedule.
Nyleek Geer-Harrison, DB, Senior
Geer-Harrison led the returning defensive production with 9.8 tackles per game and three interceptions. He gives the Tigers a proven playmaker behind the experienced linebacker group.
Complete 2026 Schedule
August 21: vs. Emerald
August 28: vs. Palmetto
September 4: vs. Abbeville
September 11: at Seneca
September 18: at Franklin County
October 2: at Carolina Academy*
October 9: vs. St. Joseph's Catholic*
October 16: at Liberty*
October 23: vs. West-Oak*
October 30: at Pendleton*
*Region game
Biggest Question
Can Crescent turn returning production into its first region title since 1997?
The Tigers have enough experience to win Region 1-AA, but the season will demand more than another big statistical year from Mason Evans. Crescent must carry its defensive continuity into close games and handle a five-game region stretch that includes three road dates.
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I expect Crescent to contend for the Region 1-AA championship. The Tigers return too much production at quarterback and too much experience on defense to take a major step backward. Abbeville and Seneca are the most difficult nonregion games, but an undefeated region record is realistic.
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