Week one of Bay County high school football season is here with a week one slate of enticing games. This season, the News Herald will provide previews of the potential playmakers and game changers to watch as we head into the 2026 season.
Here are your Week 1 Bay County football matchups:
Thursday: Mosley vs. Choctawhatchee
Matchup history since 2004: Choctawhatchee leads 6-1
Latest matchup: Choctawhatchee won 35-0 (2023)
When it comes to Class 4A matchups, it does not get much better than this. Thursday night at Tommy Oliver Stadium, former Final Four team Choctaw will face Mosley, a second-round playoff team from a year ago.
The Dolphins return an offense that averaged 40 points per game last season, led by senior quarterback JP Holsombake, who threw for 34 touchdowns. Running back Samuel Chisolm rushed for 1,189 yards and 20 touchdowns, while wide receiver Ga’Marcus Halstead returns as the team’s No. 1 receiver after recording 31 catches for 496 yards and seven touchdowns.
That group will have its work cut out against a Choctaw defense that allowed just 10 points per game last season. Three-star Oregon State commit Amir Reese leads the secondary after recording five interceptions last year. Jordyn Long added two interceptions. The Indians also added three-star cornerback Ezekial Burgess, a transfer from Navarre, and CJ Reynolds, a transfer from Crestview.
Choctaw’s defensive line will look different after the graduation of three seniors who combined for 28 sacks. Travaris Franklin returns at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, while Fort Walton Beach transfer Raequan Hawkins and Niceville transfer Juan Carlos Pupo Butch add depth up front.
Offensively, Choctaw averaged 32 points per game last season and enters the year with a quarterback battle between IMG Academy transfer Baker Giles and Niceville transfer Isaiah Collins.
The Indians return three of their top rushers from a year ago: Von’Tavius Keller, who rushed for 696 yards and five touchdowns; Carter Marraco, who had 346 yards and five scores; and Dante Whidbee, who totaled 439 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Mosley’s defense will be led up front by Cole Archambeau, who recorded 14 sacks last season, and Elijah Waldrop. Kane Colbert and Charlie Cotter start at linebacker, while Kingston Paul and Dawson Reed anchor the secondary.
Friday: Arnold vs Freeport
Matchup history since 2004: Arnold leads 4-0
Latest matchup: Arnold won 37-7 (2014)
Arnold opens at home against a Freeport team coming off a much different season than the Marlins.
Arnold averaged 16 points per game last season and will adjust to life without quarterback Will Cotter. River Walding takes over under center, with Daelyn Davis joining him in the backfield. The Marlins also return receivers Thunder Graves, A.J. Morris and Xzavier Morris.
Freeport averaged 31 points per game last season, led by senior quarterback Carter Nunes. Nunes threw for 23 touchdowns and rushed for five more scores. His top target, Julius Miles, graduated and is now at Louisville, but Caleb Leonard returns after catching 22 passes for 433 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Dylan Louthain rushed for 746 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 14 receptions for 246 yards and three scores.
Defensively, Arnold returns edge rusher Davis, who recorded 114 tackles last season, along with Nathan Neely in the secondary.
Freeport returns all of its top tacklers, including defensive ends Mason Arnold, who had 71 tackles, and Braxton Durgin, who had 62. Defensive back Ryland Willig also returns after recording 60 tackles last season.
North Bay Haven at Cottondale
Matchup history: Cottondale leads 7-3
Latest matchup: Cottondale won 48-22
North Bay Haven will face a tough road test to open the season against a Cottondale team that averaged 43 points per game last season.
Four-star wide receiver Tramond Collins will be a focal point for the Hornets after rushing for 600 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 36 passes for 613 yards and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Trashonn Collins added 27 receptions for 637 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running back Zacarius Collins rushed for 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns, giving Cottondale a dynamic trio — a Collins-ception.
North Bay Haven’s defense is led by Chason Lee, who totaled 59 tackles and a sack last season. The Buccaneers will have some expected growing pains in the secondary, with a freshman and sophomore expected to start at cornerback and a sophomore at safety. Juniors Garrett Carmon and Caleb Francom have earned starting spots at linebacker.
Offensively, the Buccaneers averaged 22 points per game last season. Quarterback Caleb Muszynski returns after accounting for 25 touchdowns and proving to be an effective runner and passer. Running back Sean Williams Jr. joins him in the backfield, while Jackson Horne leads a group of returning wide receivers.
Cottondale returns its leading tackler and sack leader in Tyler Jones, who recorded 60 tackles and five sacks last season. Trashonn Collins was also a force in the secondary, recording six interceptions, 32 tackles and three pass deflections.
Rutherford vs. Union County
Matchup history: Series tied 1-1
Latest matchup: Rutherford won 20-12 (2006)
Rutherford is looking to end a six-season drought without a season-opening win.
Quarterback Jaleel Reed returns healthy from an Achilles injury and is poised to provide a dual-threat option for the Rams. Reed accounted for 18 touchdowns last season and will be joined in the backfield by Jamarion Blount, who rushed for 351 yards and six touchdowns. Kayden Frank and Kalaiah Baker return to lead the receiving corps.
Union County lost much of its production on the defensive side of the ball. Its top returning tackler is linebacker Edward Durant, who recorded 26 tackles and two sacks last season. Junior safety Jeremy Webb also returns after totaling 23 tackles and six pass deflections.
The Fighting Tigers struggled to generate offense last season, averaging 12 points per game. Quarterback Cadenz Merriex returns after throwing for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior Bryce Lawton rushed for 161 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Blount leads the way for Rutherford after recording 50 tackles and a sack last season. Jyquin Aytch anchors the defensive line after totaling 31 tackles and two pass deflections.
Bozeman vs. Taylor County
Matchup history: Taylor County leads 1-0
Latest matchup: Taylor County won 35-14 (2020)
Bozeman will have its hands full when the Taylor County Bulldogs come to town with an explosive offense.
Taylor County averaged 33 points per game last season, led by quarterback Jabez Glanton, who threw 24 touchdowns while rushing for 1,330 yards and 15 scores. Freshman Drayden Flowers added 277 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Seth Boggs returns as the Bulldogs’ leading receiver after catching 33 passes for 484 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bozeman’s defense is headlined by defensive end Jarret Gay, who totaled 84 tackles and 10.5 sacks last season. Liam Flaherty and Blake Durham also return after recording 45 and 58 tackles, respectively. Rylee McNeil patrols the secondary after totaling three interceptions and eight pass deflections last season.
The Bucks’ offense is led by quarterback Hayden Gay, who accounted for 18 touchdowns last season. Evan Clements returns as the top receiver after catching 12 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns.
Taylor County will have some holes to fill defensively after losing its top two tacklers, who combined for 100 tackles last season. Defensive back Trey Lytle returns after leading the team with 53 tackles, four interceptions and a sack. Jonathon Sweat also returns after leading the Bulldogs with five sacks to go with 47 tackles.
Bay High at Dothan
Matchup history: First matchup
Bay High opens the season on the road with a new-look offense led by Mosley transfer Mace Grant.
Grant will be joined in the backfield by Lane Rogers and Tank Huntley. On the outside, the Tornadoes return Noah Clement, De’Jay Davenport, Kaden Brown and Darryl Andrews. JJ Bown, Charles Grubbs, Nicolas Pereira and Hayden Lowery will anchor the offensive line.
Defensively, Dothan is led in the secondary by Ai’King Hall, Jayden Ruffin and Josiah Clyburn-Lewis. Linebacker Jordan Bighems and defensive linemen Jayden Thornton and Jeremiah Evans anchor the front seven.
Dothan will also enter the season with a new look after losing running back AJ Alexander, who accounted for 28 touchdowns last season. The Wolves will look to Sirlathian Meadows to take on a larger role after he rushed for 674 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.
Wide receiver Daniel George led Dothan with 12 receptions for 246 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Bay High’s defense will be led by Brown, Andrews, Lowery, Hayden Garrette and others as the Tornadoes look to start the season with a strong showing on the road.
Adebanji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County high school football teams to be tested in season openers
Reporting by Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald / The News Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adebanji Bamidele, Panama City News Herald | USA TODAY Network
