Extra Point Preview: Red Tops look to start faster in 2026

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SLOCOMB, Ala. (WDHN)—Year three of the Paul McLean era can best be described as streaky for the Slocomb Red Tops.

Slocomb started the 2025 season in probably the worst way possible, stumbling out to an 0-4 start, before winning four of their last six matchups, thanks in large part to some mid-season adjustments.

“We changed some kids around in different spots, and it kind of took a while for us to find our footing,” McLean said. “Not that the kids were bad in certain positions; it just meshed together better in the end when we put some guys in different spots.”

Coming into 2026, Slocomb looks to hopefully carry the momentum from last season’s ending and build off of that.

If the Red Tops hope to achieve more success in the new year, the team’s defense will have to take the next step.

Last season, Slocomb allowed just over 39 points per game, and during the off-season training, McLean said that his defense underwent some pretty significant changes to help improve its performance on Fridays.

“We did a lot of work on taking the right angles, a lot more tackling drills, and we changed up some things. Personnel-wise, we changed some things; we’re trying to put a little more speed on the back end and get smaller up front from what we’ve been.”

Thankfully, McLean has a well-experienced roster leading the charge in 2026, with 17 seniors returning to the field.

Slocomb’s will be led by the team’s quarterback-running back duo of Weston Sasser and Hayes Hatton, and will also return a trio of offensive linemen who saw significant playing time last season.

While this is a deep roster led by upperclassmen, McLean said fans should not be surprised to see a few younger players hit the field this year.

“We have a defensive lineman/H-back kid, EJ Roye; really good football player who’s coming up on his junior year. We have a couple of freshman that have come in and are pushing for playing time. Wyatt Sasser is looking to play as a freshman, and Josh Odom is looking to play as a freshman.”

2026 Slocomb Red Tops Football Schedule
(* denotes region game)

• Aug. 21st – @ Barbour County
• Aug. 28th – New Brockton
• Sep. 4th – B.T. Washington *
• Sep. 11th – Wicksburg *
• Sep. 18th – @ Pike County *
• Sep. 25th – OPEN
• Oct. 2nd – Bullock County *
• Oct. 9th – @ Beulah *
• Oct. 16th – Daleville *
• Oct. 23rd – @ Geneva *
• Oct. 30th – Geneva County

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