After taking a step forward last season, the Pelahatchie Chiefs will look to continue their improvement as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Pelahatchie finished last season with a 5-6 record and went 3-1 in district play under head coach Ryan Keeton. The five wins were the most for the program since 2021 and an improvement from a 3-8 finish the year before. The Chiefs also earned a spot in the Class 2A playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
The Chiefs found much of their success during the second half of last season. Pelahatchie picked up a dominant 64-6 win over West Lincoln before winning three of its four district games. The Chiefs closed the regular season with back-to-back wins, defeating Scott Central 17-16 before a 55-0 victory over Puckett.
Pelahatchie's season eventually came to an end in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs with a 12-0 loss to Bay Springs. Despite the loss, the Chiefs finished the year having scored 315 points while allowing 238, a significant improvement from the previous season when Pelahatchie was outscored 412-196.
One player to watch as the Chiefs enter the new season will be Tadarius Collier. Collier played quarterback and defensive back as a sophomore last season and became a threat on the ground as the year progressed. He rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown against Puckett and added 142 rushing yards against West Lincoln.
Pelahatchie will once again compete in Class 2A Region 5 this season. The Chiefs open the year on the road against McLaurin on Aug. 21 before facing Pisgah and Enterprise at home. Region play begins Oct. 8 against Newton, with Scott Central and Puckett also on the district schedule.
After improving in each of the past two seasons, Pelahatchie will look to take another step forward in 2026 and make a deeper run into the postseason.
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