Before the 2026 high school sports season officially kicks off, Atlanta Public Schools’ (APS) Athletics Department expanded the traditional pre-season football media day to an all-inclusive Fall Sports Media Day to highlight all of the incredible student-athletes preparing to represent their schools and communities this season.
At Fall Sports Media Day, held this year at Benjamin E. Mays High School, coaches of each team in attendance took the stage with their seniors and key players to speak on the progression of their program, goals for the upcoming season, and to highlight some of their key contributors both on and off the field.
“We want to make sure we focus on every child, ensuring that every child feels like they belong, like they’re supported,” APS Athletics program director Rendell Jackson said. “This was a perfect opportunity to highlight all of the great things that are going on not only in football, and flag football, but also in softball, volleyball, competition cheer, and cross country.”
During the media day, teams were also able to share important highlights and achievements that their student-athletes have accomplished. There were multiple athletes with GPA’s exceeding 3.8, a few potential valedictorians, returning starters who received all-state honors, and the 2025-2026 100-meter state champion from Douglass High School.
Whether a team is in a rebuilding phase or poised to make deep playoff runs this fall, APS coaches and players are stepping into the 2026 Fall Sports season ready to compete on and off the field.
“You’re going to see some intelligent athletes, but you’re also going to see some hard-nosed athletes,” Jackson said. “They’re going to surprise a lot of people when they step on the fields and courts this year. I think APS will continue to show that it’s one of the top programs to be dealt with.”
Good luck this season to all of our APS fall sports teams!
Get to Know Your Teams (Responses from coaches who completed the 2026 Fall Sports Media Day Questionnaire):
Carver Early College
Football
Head Coach: Darren Myles
25-26 record: 12-1
Goals for 26-27 season: To develop well rounded student athletes, that will follow the process of giving effort, playing with discipline, an attitude, and toughness.
Impact Players: Patrick Perry II, OL/DL – 3 year starter, physical, smart, and athletic.
Corey Fletcher, QB – returning starter, who led the region in passing last season.
Michael Springer, DL – returning starter, physical and experience.
Donald Tennyson, DL – returning starter, physical, athletic.
Mathew Ngon – DB – returning starter, long, fast.
Scholarship Offers: Patrick Perry – Johnson C. Smith, SEMO, Morehouse, Lenoir-Rhyne
Matthew Ngon – Morehouse
What to look forward to this season: Seeing the team evolve as players and a team after stacking days of hard work.
Flag Football
Head coach: Akisha Graham
25-26 record: 0-13
Goals for 2026: Post the first winning season in Carver flag football history. Win region championship. Push players to full potential and allow them to fall in love with the game.
Impact Players: Cor’onna McCord was a huge part of our offense and defense last year playing multiple positions. With that being her first year, the possibilities are limitless. Kennedy Brooks was the quarterback along with many other positions last season. She is a leader on the team and has the athletic ability to play both sides of the ball and competes every game.
What to look forward to this season: Positive vibes and productivity toward this seasons goals.
Softball
Head coach: Paul Perriman
25-26 record: 8-11
Goals for 2026: To win the region this year and to be the best softball team that comes out of Atlanta Public Schools.
Impact Players: Kemari Holmes ,Darien Smith, Olivia Suggs and Janelle Jones all want to win.
Volleyball
Head coach: Khelsea Willis
Goals for 2026: The goal is to increase our region ranking with more wins this season.
Impact Players: Eleana Curran and Jayci Stanley. I look forward to these ladies entering their senior years as leaders in the classroom and on the court. Ms. Curran is a dynamic hitter and leads the team in attacks and aces. Ms. Stanley is a super setter and is critical in every part of the volleyball game.
What to look forward to this season: I am looking forward to these ladies collaborating on the court and making memories together.
The B.E.S.T. Academy (BEST) / Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (CSK)
Flag Football
Head coach: Coach Campbell
25-26 record: 5-5
Goals for 2026: This season, our goal is to grow together as a team by giving our best effort every day. We will focus on building discipline, accountability, and a positive attitude both on and off the field. We want every player to improve their individual skills while learning the importance of teamwork, communication, and supporting one another.
Impact Players: Rhianna Nixon, Kari Kent, Faith Vereen. They each have different strengths they bring to the team on both sides of the field.
What to look forward to this season: Being able to put out progress into play in the field.
Milestones: We have a few of our seniors that will be beating school records this season.
Cross Country
Head coach: Coach Cobb
Goals for 2026: My primary goal for the upcoming cross country and track and field season is to qualify as many CSKYWLA student-athletes as possible for the GHSA State Championships. To achieve this, I will emphasize consistent training, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement. By fostering a positive, competitive culture and helping each athlete reach their individual potential, our team will be prepared to compete at the highest level and maximize our opportunities to advance to the state championship meet.
Impact Players: My projected impact athlete for both cross country and track is Teasia Moore. She is a year-round student-athlete whose dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to the sport set her apart. Her consistency in training, willingness to compete, and positive attitude make her a leader by example. I expect her to make a significant impact this season by continuing to improve her performances while motivating and inspiring her teammates to reach their full potential.
What to look forward to this season: This season, I am most excited about welcoming back our returning athletes and continuing to build our cross country program. Their experience, commitment, and growth provide a strong foundation for the team, and I look forward to helping them reach new personal and competitive goals. As we continue to develop our program, I am excited to strengthen our team culture, encourage continuous improvement, and create opportunities for more student-athletes to succeed both on and off the course.
Volleyball
Head coach: Jessica Johnson
Goals for 2026: Our biggest goal is to continue building a program our young ladies are proud to be a part of. Of course, we want to compete and win, but we’re more focused on growth, consistency, discipline, and learning how to show up for each other every single day. If we do those things, the wins will take care of themselves.
Impact Players: This year, our impact is really going to come from our returning players. They already understand our expectations, our culture, and what it means to Protect the Nest. Their experience, leadership, and confidence will be huge as they help our newer players grow. We’re looking for them to lead by example and raise the standard every day.
What to look forward to this season: I’m most excited about watching this group grow together. Every season is a chance to build something new, and this team has been willing to learn, be coached, and put in the work. We want to create a culture where our girls know they’re valued, they’re challenged, and they’re expected to give their best every day. If we can leave this season knowing we became more disciplined, more connected, and more confident than when we started, then we’ve done something special.
Milestones: One milestone I’m especially proud of is seeing our athletes take the next step by playing club volleyball. As a coach, that’s what you want—to see your players fall in love with the game enough to keep growing outside of your gym. It shows their commitment, and it’s another sign that we’re building something special here at CSK.
Competition Cheer
Head coach: Coach Caster
25-26 record: Third place at Regionals
Goals for 2026: Our main goal for the upcoming season is to promote sisterhood, unity, and to win the State Competition.
Impact Players: London King, Addison Simpson, Aubree Hill, Dakota Glover, and more as these ladies have represented Competition Cheer for over 5 years.
What to look forward to this season: Technique, Style, Originality.
Frederick Douglass High School
Football
Head coach: Stanley Pritchett
25-26 record: 9-4
Goals for 2026: Process over Results.
Impact Players: John Amofah, Jr. – DL. Zalen Green WR, Prince Cooper DE/MLB, Jecori Anderson RB.
Scholarship Offers: John Amofah, Jr- University of Cincinnati
Zalen Green- East Carolina
Prince Cooper- (Offers) University of Ohio, Samford University
Jecori Anderson- Wofford University
Competition Cheer
Head coach: Amanda Harrrison
25-26 record: 3A Region Runner-ups
Goals for 2026: Develop collegiate ready athletes.
Impact Players: Zahra Young, outstanding incoming freshmen. Raniya Hammonds, seasoned senior. Riley Dean most improved since 2025.
What to look forward to this season: The overall team skill development since 2025.
Maynard H. Jackson High School
Football
Head coach: Eric Williams
25-26 record: 7-4
Goals for 26-27 season: Attention to Detail and Stay Connected. Extend our playoff our playoff run to 11 years in a row.
Impact Players: Ryan Miller, DeAngelo Dozier, Donald Smith, Marcus Gray, Jaylen Tate and Braylyn Clayton. All of these young men are 2-3 year starters in the program and have been recognized by their peers in our past region.
Scholarship Offers: Ryan Miller-DB, Donald Smith-DB. DeAngelo Dozier-DL, Jaylen Tate RB.
What to look forward to this season: We have One Team, One Mission, One Goal and our approach to our tough schedule.
Flag Football
Head Coach: Dr. Desmond Lee
25-26 Record: 19-4
Goals for 26-27 season: Main goals: Win region. Win state championship. Establish Maynard Flag as one of the premier programs in the nation. Instill confidence in my players while maintaining the importance of an education.
Impact Players: Sky Franklin-honorable mention All-state QB/Safety. De’Asia Jones- 1st team all-state WR/Safety. Two of the best in Georgia at their respective positions.
What to look forward to this season: Most excited about the strength of schedule and giving the girls more competition against schools that compete for state titles in different divisions. I want to see my girls respond to adversity.
Milestones: Last year, we had our first signee. Jakayla Raines-linebacker.
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
Football
Head coach: Corey Jarvis
25-26 record: 5-6
Goals for 2026: Get better each week.
Impact Players: Travion Callaway, Lawrence Moreland, Malachi Heard, Vincent Lawrence, Ladell Moreland, Jared Earley, Dylan Favors, Mackenzie Webb, Travis Lawrence.
Scholarship offers: Travion Callaway WR/DB Western Michigan – Committed.
Malachi Heard ATH, Vincent Lawrence RB, Travis Lawrence DL/OL, Deangelo Weston DB, Chaz Bivins DB, Kaleb Williams DL, Jared Earley DL, Ladell Moreland LB.
What to look forward to this season: Team Chemistry is getting better each day!
Midtown High School
Football
Head coach: Calvin Arnold
25-26 Record: 3-7
Goals for 26-27 season: Build off the achievements of last year and make the playoffs.
Impact Players: Dorian Fox, Mylik Benoit, D’Eric Mitchell and Brady Crep. Dorian split time at QB last year and had success when the ball was in his hands. Mylik and D’Eric had a presence on the defensive side of the ball, combining for over 40 sacks between the two of them. Brandy will anchor the offensive line with his presence.
Scholarship Offers: Mylik Beniot, DE has several offers from a host of D1 schools
What to look forward to this season: Seeing how the players are starting to buy in the process and hold each other accountable for their actions on the field.
Benjamin E. Mays High School
Football
Head coach: Reginald Austin
25-26 record: 5-6
Goals for 26-27 season: Advance past the first round of playoffs.
Impact Players: Jaquavious Hill. Montravious Jones Jr. Gerald Hunter. James Kennedy. Kenny Newton.
Scholarship Offers: Gerald Hunter – CB
What to look forward to this season: Excited about how well the off season has gone and can’t wait to make an impact in our Region.
Flag Football
Head coach Dallas Allen
Goals for 2026: To produce a productive and competitive team.
Impact Players: Taylor Malone, Briana Chambles and Envy Murphy.
What to look forward to this season: This is new for me and excited to watch this team grow into bonified student athletes.
Competition Cheer
Head coach: Jennifer Jones
25-26 record: 4A Region Champions
Goals for 2026: To become one team with one purpose. We are committed to developing strong fundamentals, building trust in one another, and creating a culture of accountability, discipline and resilience.
Impact Players: Niyla Knight – Taylor, Mariah Williams, and Hieress Hines. They embody the values of leadership, commitment, teamwork, and Raider Pride. Their influence extends beyond their individual skills. They help shape the mindset, culture, and standards that we want every athlete on our team to embrace.
What to look forward to this season: I’m excited to watch these athletes grow in confidence, trust one another, and learn what it truly means to compete as one. My goal is to create a culture built on accountability, discipline, resilience and genuine support for one another.
Softball
Head Coach: Travis Williams II
25-26 Record: 1-17
Goals for 2026: To foster a competitive culture.
Impact Players: Arianna Flower, Jaliyah English, Layla Wilson, Nariah Maddox, Autumn Spriggs and Mikaila Gibbons. These players have really displayed a level of buy-in and commitment to what we are aiming to become.
What to look forward to this season: I am excited to go out and compete. This year will begin a new era for the Lady Raiders Softball program.
Volleyball
Head coach: Tiffany Butler
Goals for 2026: My main goal is to show growth with my players skills.
Impact Players: Knightdale Shaw, Zarreya Harris, and Shanya Jenkins they have all worked on their skills over the summer.
What to look forward to this season: For the season the girls natural athletic abilities, as far as the culture I’m looking forward to the community coming out to some games.
Milestones: Ava Admas, class of 2026, signed with Oglethorpe University.
North Atlanta High School
Football
Head coach: Jamie Aull
25-26 record: 5-5
Goals for 2026: Compete well in our new region, and qualify for the postseason.
Impact Players: Weston Goodman QB, Sebastian Myles DL/OL, Bryce Willingham DB/WR
What to look forward to this season: Getting back to being a player driven, team first atmosphere.
Softball
Head coach: Ricky Plante
Goals for 2026: Making a return to the state playoffs.
Impact Players: Sophia Yano- a four-year starting pitcher. We will rely on her offensively as well.
Greer McWhirter- another four-year starter. She is our primary catcher and provides our lineup with the most pop.
Scholarship Offers: Amelia Teeple- RHP. She has had a great career at North Atlanta and I look forward to seeing her pitch in college.
What to look forward to this season: The blend of all of our seniors and all of our freshman. This is the largest team we have ever kept. I am expecting all of my seniors to lead this group of young talented freshman. The seniors will need to pass their knowledge and teach them how we do things here.
Volleyball
Head coach: Terence Amos
25-26 record: 22-11
Goals for 2026: After making the playoffs last season, our goal is to return to the playoffs and advance farther by leaning on our six seniors. In addition, to our seniors we have a talented roster that we expect to compete in Region 3 7A.
Impact Players: Katriane Pawlowski- An OH with good potential who is eager to step into a leadership role. Has the tools to develop into a dependable all-around player.
Dorothy Perno- An energetic setter with natural leadership abilities. Demonstrates confidence, strong communication, and a competitive mindset.
Buttercup Simmons-An athletic middle blocker with excellent mobility and a strong presence at the net.
Eleni Karagiannis- Played libero last season, developing strong defensive skills, court awareness, and ball control that will continue to benefit the team in any role.
What to look forward to this season: I’m most excited to see this team build on last season’s success and continue to grow together. We have a talented group of players with a strong work ethic, and I’m looking forward to watching them develop their chemistry, compete at a high level, and push for a spot in the playoffs.
South Atlanta High School
Softball
Head coach: Jasmine Ramey
25-26 record: 16-3
Goals for 2026 season: My main goal is to have a winning season. This is a rebuild year, after losing nearly the entire team in the 2026 Graduating class.
Impact Players: Riley Jackson, Zaleigha Jackson, Kitara Robinson. They are my impact players, because they are the only players left from our previous team. They bring experience, and now I trust them to step us as leaders to help maintain the standard and culture we’ve built in this program.
What to look forward to this season: Growth. I’m excited to see it all come together. We have been working this summer to rebuild this team. I know it will be tough, with some of the new players being new to the sport and just lack experience overall. I’m also excited to see my 3 returners step into leadership roles. It’s been self-initiated, with them knowing they are now the glue to hold the team together. We have a very young team, no seniors this year, so I’m excited to watch them develop and compete.
Milestones: Coach Ramey and South Atlanta Softball made it to the Sweet 16 in two consecutive seasons, for the first time in school history. One appearance away from breaking history again.
Daniel. M. Therrell High School
Flag Football
Head coach: Matthew Hazel
25-26 record: 21-1
Goals for 2026: As always, we want to have a healthy and successful season that will result in a state championship. We have been fortunate to win the Area the last three years and now our goal is to be in the Mercedes Benz Stadium on December 8th.
Impact Players: Caliea Baisden (Class of 2028, Athlete): She is a 2x Area Offensive Player of the Year, 2x GFFCA All-State Player and is invited to play in the Under Armour Game in January 2027. On offense she had 2,149 Total yards and 26 Touchdowns and defensively she had 10 Interceptions.
Kaylee Pinkston (Class of 2028, Rusher): She is a 2x Area Defensive Player of the Year, 2x GFFCA All-State Player, ScoreATl Defensive Break out player of the Year. She had 98 Total Flag Pulls with 70 for loss and 18 Sacks.
Shaniyah Crawford (Class of 2029, QB): As a freshman last season she was First Team All Area and had 2,389 total yards and 38 Touchdowns.
Amarie Lee (Class of 2027, Athlete): 2x All Area Selection with 399 Receiving Yards and 9 Touchdowns.
Adrianna Benton (Class of 2028, LB): She is a returning starter that we anticipate making a big impact on defense.
Scholarship Offers: Caliea Baisden, Athlete, currently has offers from Campbellsville University and Snead State.
Kaylee Pinkston, Rusher, currently has offers from Campbellsville University and Snead State.
Another accomplishment is that Caliea Baisden has a partnership with Guardian Loop as a brand ambassador.
What to look forward to this season: We are extremely excited to see what the incoming class of 2030 will bring to our program. After this productive summer we anticipate the young players being contributors to this season.
Booker T. Washington High School
Flag Football
Head Coach: Isaac Cameron
25-26 Record: 10-10-1
Goals for 2026 season: To continue to get better at every position, including coaching, also, continue to have a positive mindset as well as show great character on and off the field.
Impact Players: Zamiya Moore- coming off a season in which she led the team in interceptions, great leader. Zariah Stroud- very athletic and versatile. Londyn Scott- great team leader and versatile. Dae’Ja Hines- team leader, can play every position if needed.
What to look forward to this season: How well the team gets along and encourage each other.
Cross Country
Head coach: R. Garner
Goals for 2026: Make it to the State Championship.
Impact Players: Chris Waller – pure dedication.
What to look forward to this season: Building on the success of last season and making State.
Softball
Head coach: Victoria Robinson
25-26 record: 6-11
Goals for 2026: To be the first softball program at BTW High School to be GHSA State Champions.
Impact Players: Zamiya Moore, Taniya Williamson, and Zariah Stroud are exceptional student-athletes whose impact is evident every time they step onto the field. Their talent, leadership, determination, and commitment to teamwork consistently elevate the performance of those around them.
Through their unwavering work ethic, consistent execution, and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, they set the standard for excellence. Whether contributing offensively or defensively, each of these young women plays a pivotal role in the team’s success while inspiring their teammates to compete at a higher level.
Their confidence, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship foster a culture of accountability and excellence, making them invaluable leaders both on and off the field. Zamiya, Taniya, and Zariah are true game changers whose influence extends far beyond their individual achievements, strengthening the entire team through their character, dedication, and pursuit of excellence.
What to look forward to this season: I am most excited about establishing a culture built on accountability, discipline, resilience, and family. While winning games is certainly a goal, my greatest excitement comes from developing young women who understand the value of commitment, hard work, and supporting one another both on and off the field. This season presents an opportunity to create a foundation of excellence where every player understands her role, competes with confidence, and takes pride in representing Booker T. Washington High School. I want our team to be recognized not only for its athletic ability, but also for its character, sportsmanship, and unwavering determination.