Talkin’ Hope

’26 Hope Christian football schedule

PRIVATE A, REGION 3
Aug. 21: DONOHO *
Aug. 28: CHARLES HENDERSON
Sept. 4: Open
Sept. 11: at Pickens Academy *
Sept. 18: at Victory Christian *
Sept. 25: BERRY
Oct. 2: at Holy Spirit *
Oct. 9: Open
Oct. 16: at Ellwood Christian *
Oct. 23: TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY *
Oct. 30: FAYETTEVILLE
* – Region game

Hope Christian facts

Things to know about Hope Christian football heading into the 2026 season:

— Chris Stone enters his second season as Hope Christian’s first head football coach. The former Arkansas State University defensive lineman also serves as the school’s athletics director. The Saints went 5-5 last season and finished second in AISA AA Region 1, reaching the playoffs.

— After playing its first varsity season in AISA, Hope will play in the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2026.

— Key returnees to watch include senior QB/LB Kainen Bozeman, senior RB/WR Nick Morrow and senior TE/LB Carson Campbell. Other players to watch include senior RB/LB Aziah Amberson, who played the last two baseball seasons for Hope but played football at Wellborn. Newcomers to watch include senior WR/LB Jordan Newton (Wellborn/Oxford), senior WR/DB Brayden Bennett (Ohatchee), junior WR/DB LaDarrious Walker (Oxford), sophomore WR/DB Koen Cottrill (White Plains) and sophomore WR/DB Leegion Bragg (Weaver).

— Hope graduated seniors Terrance Young, Aaron Kennedy, Jacob Satcher and Peyton Weitzel. Other key losses include junior offensive lineman Caden Marturello, who transferred to Jacksonville.

— AHSAA realignment separated public and private schools for championship play and aligned Hope in Private A, Region 3 with Autauga Academy, Ellwood Christian, Holy Spirit, Pickens Academy, Donoho, Tuscaloosa Academy and Victory Christian. Autauga Academy has since announced it will return to AISA.

—Joe Medley

A video interview with Hope Christian coach Chris Stone and a column looking ahead at the Saints’ season await EA+ subscribers.