08/21/2026
FROM MEDIA DAY: JAMES CLEMENS
🛩️ Jets vs Austin tonight!
⬇️Article below, graphics included
JC Jets Football is set to return tonight, as ‘Squadron 15' gets ready to take on a familiar foe – Austin High.
From The UnLockYourGame Media Day, we interviewed standout athletes Matthew Evers, Malik Hardy, Trevor Caudle, and Kaleb Pryor.
MATTHEW EVERS
The QB1 of The Jets is back and ready to showcase his physical & mental growth. While the first game of ‘26 is versus Austin, it is no longer a Regional matchup, but the competition for the newly aligned Class 6A remains stout.
“The Region loses teams like Austin, Florence, and Albertville, but we still have Austin on the schedule, and I'm excited to see some new Region teams such as playing Buckhorn, Gadsden City, and Hazel Green.”
The returning QB’s growth is from his own offseason work ethic, and also the commitment of Head Coach Juan Johnson’s coaching staff at JC.
“I feel like the intensity has taken on a different level this year, especially in the weight room. Really good job there. We have been doing very well in 7 on 7 and OTAs, but I feel we will keep the same energy when we put the pads on & play with physicality.”
MALIK HARDY
A standout at DB, Hardy is ready to make a splash as well in 2026, and directly benefits from the wealth of knowledge that Juan Johnson brings to the DBs, which allows him to shine.
“He tells us every day that we can be the best; we just have to play to our standard of Football. I like how he came in & did his thing to make us into a new team.”
Hardy and The Jets have a great first test to their 2026 campaign, with the Austin game looming.
He, like many Jets, has a large deal of respect for The Black Bears, & is embracing a tough opponent right out of the gate for their year.
“Austin obviously has a lot of talent. They looked good in the 7 on 7s, OTAs & that. But I think it is going to be a very competitive game, so I am just ready to play them again. We are going to have to compete and fight.”
TREVOR CAUDLE
A standout from the DB spot as well, Caudle echoes his teammates’ beliefs that they control their own fate, if they are willing to put in the work.
This includes the Region title – always a major goal for The Jets.
While some teams drop down to Class 5A after the Class shakeup, JC is still playing at the highest classification level, and will always face tough foes regardless of whatever change happens.
“The competition is good this year; it has me hype. Our confidence is big this season, so I feel like we can compete and go far.”
Caudle, like Hardy, is seeing the rewards of Juan Johnson’s knowledge of his DB position.
Johnson gets much of his attention from the Offensive side of the game, with the “Mach 10” mantra becoming synonymous with how he’d like to run his style of play, he has a deep Defensive background which allows him to impact his kids with knowledge on both sides of the ball.
However, according to Caudle, Coach Juan’s ability to impact their character has left an impression on the players as well.
“He came in Year 1, took over, and showed us what men we really want to be.”
KALEB PRYOR
A Senior leader at LB, Pryor is one of many Jets whom this will be their first time facing Austin as a non-Region foe.
The game symbolizes the change following the AHSAA reclassification – two schools that have played tons of important Football looking to keep the tradition going.
For Pryor, the only thing that has changed is when the game is being played.
“I know for sure they are going to be a good team this year, but I know that we are going to be good, too. It is going to be a good matchup – one that wont affect our Regional spot, and will still be a great game. We are preparing for it the same as anyone else.”
The Jets will indeed have to prepare on a week-by-week basis in order to achieve their goals for a title – in a Region that will pit them against traditional rivals (Bob Jones), Class 7A Playoff teams from ‘25 (Sparkman), Class 6A Playoff teams from ‘25 (Buckhorn & Gadsden City) and a team that finished 2025 with tons of positive momentum (Huntsville).
However, Pryor’s winning mentality puts things in perspective.
“I think we will handle the adversity and the new competition well, because the goal is to be top in the State, not the Region.”
Evers, Hardy, Caudle, and Pryor also shared some of their favorite games over their careers.
Austin, Bob Jones and Sparkman all seemed to have a special place in their memory, thanks to some truly notable games with wild finishes over the past couple of seasons, all arising from the foes playing meaningful Football.
Squadron 15 takes off this evening, 7pm, from Austin High School. Go support your local teams!
James Clemens High School
UnLock Your Game
Currency Lens Media
