Rock Hill Football 2026 Preview, Players and Schedule | Top 25 Public HSFB
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2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Rock Hill (SC)
Myles “JoJo” Brooks, Kaiden Watkins and Ames Oliver lead Rock Hill into 2026 after the program's 7-5 season.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/20/20264 min read
Nineteen returning starters make Rock Hill one of the most experienced teams in this group.
This is a seasoned group that proved last year that they can win, and now need to take the next step. This group built around Myles “JoJo” Brooks, Kaiden Watkins and Ames Oliver. Rock Hill is among the T25PS Teams to Know for 2026.
Team Snapshot
School: Rock Hill Bearcats
Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
Head Coach: Leon Boulware
2025 Record: 7-5
2025 Finish: SCHSL playoffs
Returning Starters: Nine offensive starters and 10 defensive starters
2026 Outlook
Rock Hill went 7-5 in 2025 and reached the SCHSL playoffs. Leon Boulware leads the program into 2026.
With nine offensive starters and 10 defensive starters back, Rock Hill can build from last year and they'll definitely need to start the season strong and carry that momentum throughout the season.
Leon Boulware has set a clear goal: win the city and region titles, then contend for a state championship. That ambition is useful only if it sharpens Rock Hill's work from one week to the next.
Leon Boulware put the program's approach this way: “We are having a really good offseason. We need to stay on focus and not allow anyone to tell us how good or bad we are. Handle the small things. Head down and work.”
Around the line of scrimmage, Ames Oliver, Donovan Franklin and Kaleb Wright give Rock Hill experience. Myles “JoJo” Brooks, Kaiden Watkins, Zymier Gordon-Miles and James Heckard shape the passing game, backfield and secondary.
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The schedule starts with a road game at Irmo on Aug. 21. Later, a road game at Spartanburg on Oct. 2 becomes an important midseason measure, and a road game at Northwestern on Oct. 30 closes the regular-season calendar.
Players to Know
Myles “JoJo” Brooks, ATH, Class of 2027
Brooks is committed to James Madison. Brooks' versatility gives Rock Hill several ways to use him.
Kaiden Watkins, ATH, Class of 2027
Watkins is committed to James Madison. Rock Hill can move Watkins between roles to create favorable matchups.
Ames Oliver, OL, Class of 2027
Oliver is committed to Campbell. Oliver gives Rock Hill another answer in the position group that controls the offense's floor.
Zymier Gordon-Miles, ATH, Class of 2027
Gordon-Miles is committed to North Carolina A&T. Gordon-Miles' versatility gives Rock Hill several ways to use him.
James Heckard, ATH, Class of 2027
Heckard is committed to Davidson. Rock Hill can move Heckard between roles to create favorable matchups.
Nigel Lightner, ATH, Class of 2027
Lightner holds an offer from Duquesne. Lightner's ability to contribute in more than one phase expands what Rock Hill can do.
Devin Erby, RB, Class of 2028
Erby gives the backfield another way to stay ahead of the chains.
Donovan Franklin, LB/RB/ATH, Class of 2027
Franklin's role at linebacker matters to the run fits and the down-to-down consistency of the defense.
Kaleb Wright, LB, Class of 2027
Rock Hill can use Wright's linebacker experience as a stabilizing piece in the front seven.
Complete 2026 Schedule
Aug. 21: at Irmo
Aug. 28: Ashley Ridge
Sept. 4: at Hilton Head Island
Sept. 11: #55 South Pointe
Sept. 25: Ridge View
Oct. 2: at Spartanburg
Oct. 9: Boiling Springs
Oct. 16: at Fort Mill
Oct. 23: Dorman
Oct. 30: at #27 Northwestern
Biggest Question
Can Rock Hill convert extensive returning experience into a deeper South Carolina playoff run?
On paper, Myles “JoJo” Brooks, Kaiden Watkins and Ames Oliver give Rock Hill a core it can trust. Week-to-week dependability will decide this more than one explosive performance or one favorable matchup. We should have a much clearer answer after a road game at Hilton Head Island on Sept. 4.
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I expect Rock Hill to improve on the field even if the record remains close to last season's mark. The Bearcats have 19 returning starters, a returning quarterback and six verified Division I recruits, but Irmo, South Pointe and Northwestern create three high-level tests. A 7-3 regular season would position Rock Hill for another playoff run.
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