25 Teams in 25 Days: Hancock Hawks

With jamborees just two weeks away, the countdown to football season is officially on. After making big strides toward the end of the season, the Hancock Hawks are looking to keep that momentum rolling into 2026.  Stop number 12 on our 25 Teams in 25 Days tour takes us to Hancock High School.

Hancock High School may have started the year off slower than they hoped, but they switched things into high gear when it mattered. They finished third in a really tough division and won their first-ever road playoff game.

“It was a testament to our guys’ resilience. Instead of giving up the ship like a lot of teams would have, they continued to battle and show up to practice with a good attitude and continued to play hard and played the best football when it mattered the most late in the year,” said Head Coach Michael King.

That experience could prove valuable this season, with 20 seniors leading the way — and nearly all of them returning as starters.

“One reason it’s really awesome is the fact that a lot of those same guys that were on the field last year as sophomores and juniors are back this year, so it’s some of those guys that have those same memories and some of those same experiences. Having the offensive line with those receivers that got a ton of playing time last year and a quarterback that really fits the Air Raid-style system that we do is going to be huge,” said King. “We’ve also got a new defensive coordinator in Ty Trahan, who’s a guy I coached with years ago that’s been able to get in here and has a lot of experience at this level at being able to stop the run, so hopefully what we’re doing on offense with the passing game with Justin Wedgeworth at quarterback and being able to stop the run on defense with a new defensive coordinator, I think, is going to be huge.”

The Hawks are known for airing it out, and this year, senior Justin Wedgeworth takes over at quarterback. Coach King believes his arm talent could take the offense to another level.

“He’s a big, physical quarterback who can see the field really well, but also the first guy I had probably ever that can push the ball down the field in the way that he can. He’s got a really strong arm, arm talent as some of the coaches call it, so I’m really excited about that to see how that can basically open our offense up,” said King.

“I’m so lucky,” said Justin Wedgeworth. “I’m the luckiest quarterback in Mississippi to play in this offense with this offensive line, and I have five really good receivers.”

Wedgeworth isn’t the only senior expecting big things. Several of his fellow seniors believe their experience could be one of the Hawks’ biggest strengths this season.

“All five of our offensive linemen got reps last year, three or four of them are coming back as starters, so we’ve got a good amount of experience. We’re big and strong and should be able to move some people,” said Balderrama.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the younger and new guys on the defensive line put the work in and show out on the field. I think Wyatt’s biggest strength is he’s really lanky, so he can get the edge down real good, and Max has a real good motor and he doesn’t give up,” said Landon Zamora.

“The linebacker core is going to be strong this year. I think the defensive backs are going to be extra strong this year. We have a whole lot of DBs coming back from last year. We had two sophomores stepping up last year, and they did pretty good. Jayden Dekle is going to be and he’ll step up too,” said Derrick Smith.

“My guys Omar and Coleton put in the work every day. The whole team does, but the close-knit group we have as linebackers strengthens us a lot, and we’re going to be a lot better this year.”

The Hancock Hawks will kick off the 2026 season on August 28th as they hit the road to Stone High School.