Southern Christian (AL) 2026 Football Preview | Top 25 Public HSFB
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2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Southern Christian (AL)
Gabriel Decker takes over at quarterback while Toby Miller leads a defense returning four starters from the national championship team.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/12/20266 min read
Southern Christian enters 2026 after an 11-2 season and the first national championship in program history. The Patriots closed the year with wins over Coastal HomeSchool and Providence Athletic Club to claim the Division III title at the national tournament in Panama City.
The championship defense provides most of the returning experience. Four defensive starters are back, while the offense has one returning full-time starter and several players moving into new roles. Senior Gabriel Decker will take over at quarterback while others like Tucker Webb and Kaiden Greer will be moving to different positions this year.
Team Snapshot
School: Southern Christian Patriots
Location: Opelika, Alabama
2026 classification: Alabama Christian Sports Conference 8-man football
2025 record: 11-2
2025 finish: Division III national champion
Head coach: Jason Scott
First game: Aug. 15 vs. Faith Christian Academy
2026 Outlook
Southern Christian’s changes on offense extend across the formation. Decker will take over at quarterback after the graduation of Elijah Bailey, who accounted for 36 total touchdowns last season. Webb has moved from the line to fullback, and Greer will play both ways while taking over the WR1 spot.
The offensive line will be built around freshman center Josiah Miller. The middle school All-American started two games as an eighth grader and has earned the responsibility of directing the group despite his age. Junior Cale Webb has moved up from the junior varsity team and will join Jake Farr and Miller along the line.
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Sirmon has taken a step forward during the offseason and enters his junior year with an opportunity to become a larger part of the rushing attack. Decker already has proven production in multiple roles, finishing 2025 with 747 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns in addition to his work in the secondary.
Southern Christian returns four defensive starters. Senior lineman Toby Miller recorded 10 sacks last season and is ranked among Alabama’s top 25 defensive linemen by Prep Redzone. Decker intercepted seven passes, while Greer and Farr give the Patriots additional two-way experience. That defensive group should provide stability while the offense adjusts to its new quarterback, backfield alignment, receiving order and starting center.
Players to Know
Gabriel Decker: QB/DB, Class of 2027
Decker will take over at quarterback after producing 747 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns in 2025. He also intercepted seven passes and will remain one of Southern Christian’s defensive leaders while directing the offense.
Toby Miller: DL, Class of 2027
Miller recorded 10 sacks last season and is ranked among Alabama’s top 25 defensive linemen by Prep Redzone. He returns as the most established player in Southern Christian’s defensive front.
Henry Sirmon: HB/LB, Class of 2028
Sirmon enters his junior season after a strong offseason and is expected to take on a larger role in the backfield. His development will be important for an offense replacing most of the production from last year’s championship team.
Tucker Webb: FB, Class of 2027
Webb is Southern Christian’s only returning full-time offensive starter, but his role will change after moving from the line to fullback. His experience gives Decker and the rebuilt offense a dependable piece in the backfield.
Kaiden Greer: WR/DB, Class of 2029
Greer will play both ways as a sophomore and take over as Southern Christian’s No. 1 wide receiver. His ability to replace Forman’s production while continuing to contribute on defense will be important to the Patriots’ title defense.
Josiah Miller: C, Class of 2030
Miller enters his freshman season as Southern Christian’s starting center. The middle school All-American started two games as an eighth grader and has already earned a leadership role along the offensive line.
Jake Farr: OL/DL, Class of 2028
Farr is one of Southern Christian’s four returning defensive starters and will also line up beside Miller on offense. His experience on both sides gives the Patriots an established interior presence.
Cale Webb: OL/DL, Class of 2028
Webb has moved up from the junior varsity team and will join Farr and Miller along the line. The junior gives Southern Christian another developing two-way option up front.
Schedule Breakdown
Southern Christian opens Saturday, Aug. 15 against Faith Christian Academy in the Black Bear Brawl at Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, and the game will stream on the 8-Man Extreme YouTube channel. The Patriots defeated Faith Christian 35-6 in last season’s opener.
Springwood follows on Aug. 21 before three consecutive road games against Baker County, Lighthouse HomeSchool and East Central HomeSchool. The late schedule includes two useful comparisons to 2025. Southern Christian lost 50-24 to Evangel Christian last October and defeated Ezekiel Academy 61-24. Those teams return in back-to-back games on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
Complete 2026 Schedule
Aug. 15: vs. Faith Christian Academy (MS) at Rocky Top Sports World, Gatlinburg, Tennessee - 4 p.m. ET
Aug. 21: Springwood School (AL)
Aug. 28: at Baker County (GA)
Sept. 4: at Lighthouse HomeSchool
Sept. 11: at East Central HomeSchool
Sept. 18: North River Christian
Oct. 2: Faithful Explorers ALC
Oct. 9: Evangel Christian
Oct. 16: Ezekiel Academy
Oct. 23: MEMA
Biggest Question
Can Southern Christian’s new offensive alignment produce quickly enough for the defense to carry the title defense?
The Patriots return one full-time offensive starter and must replace a quarterback who accounted for 36 touchdowns. Decker takes over at quarterback, Webb moves to fullback, Greer becomes the No. 1 receiver and Miller starts at center as a freshman. How quickly those new roles come together will determine whether Southern Christian can score consistently against the strongest teams on the schedule.
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T25PS Prediction
They are the only team that we have covered here that is a private school, and an 8-man team (besides the Top Five Public HSFB Programs of the Past Five Years in Every State). I would be lying if I told you I have a good idea about the teams that they're playing or could face in the playoffs. But what I do know is I like the coaches, they love their players, and when you have a top 25 player at their position in the state, plus a proven defense, I like their odds at a repeat.
Bottom Line
Southern Christian returns four defensive starters but will look different on offense. Decker takes over at quarterback, Webb moves to fullback, Greer becomes the No. 1 receiver and freshman Josiah Miller leads a line that also includes Farr and Cale Webb. With Toby Miller coming off a 10-sack season and Decker returning after seven interceptions, the defense gives the Patriots a proven foundation while the new offensive pieces develop.
