25 Teams in 25 Days: d’Iberville Warriors

The D’Iberville Warriors are trending up! Not only did they win their first six games of the 2025 season, but they finished with an overall record of eight wins and three losses — their best performance since 2021. Fifth-year head coach Josh Ladner credits that success to his players and the Warrior community.

“The buy-in of the kids, for sure, and the blessing of a great community to back us and an administration that’s always supporting us. And that’s all the way from the top down, from the superintendent to the administration, the athletic director, and then my coaching staff. I couldn’t do it without them. I have an excellent assistant coaching staff, and again, the kids just working hard and buying in and believing,” said Head Coach Josh Ladner.

This upcoming season, the Warriors return five starters on offense and five starters on defense. The Black and Gold also bring back a large group of skilled playmakers. This offseason, they’ve focused heavily on developing new members of the trenches — and so far, they’ve proven they’re up for the task.

“We had to replace a lot up front, and coaches knew, so they went to work immediately, and the kids showed up and answered the bell each and every day. All the guys that we had to replace from last year, the guys that came in to replace them are zero-day misses, showed up all summer to work their tails off and did everything we asked them to do. The true test will be Friday night against Raleigh, but we think they’re ready.

“Right now, I believe D’Iberville is always going to be built on strong defense first and foremost. You have to be good on that side of the ball. The best D’Iberville teams have had a great defense, a great running game, great play-action pass and were strong on special teams, so in my opinion, that’s what I’m hoping to see Friday night.

“Obviously, my senior leadership, I couldn’t ask for any better than Jordan Walley, Matt Fairley, Julian Morris and Roman Green, just to name a few. Those guys having my back and supporting me and the rest of the team has probably been the biggest factor,” said Coach Ladner.

A big factor for the Warriors over the years has been players with the last name Walley, and luckily for them, Jordan Walley is leading the way on both sides of the ball. At quarterback, Walley accounted for more than 2,000 yards and 21 total touchdowns. As a defensive back, he recorded 31 tackles, including two for loss, along with an interception. More than the numbers, though, Ladner commends Walley’s leadership ability.

“Anytime you get off the bus and have him on your team, you’ve got a shot. Going to miss that leadership, but what I’m going to miss the most once he’s gone is the way he loves his teammates. He loves his teammates so much, and it’s not just his senior teammates or the juniors, it’s all the way down to the freshmen and middle school. He is genuinely excited and joyful when other people have success,” said Coach Ladner.

And on this Warriors roster, Walley is a stud surrounded by other studs. Senior leaders say the strength of this team goes beyond the talent on the field, pointing to the bond they’ve built throughout the offseason.

“We’ve got a really good team bond, and we’ve all got each other’s back. We don’t have to worry about arguing or going back and forth or disagreeing. We’ll always find a way to agree with each other. That’s our biggest strength.

“We’ve got some strengths in our receiving group with me, Jay Allen, Desmond ‘DJ’ Bettis and Corey ‘CJ’ Howell. You can get a ball to any of us at any time of the game, and we’ll all make a play, so we’re good. The defensive backs are probably one of our biggest strengths on the team. I’m looking forward to playing with them, and it’s going to be great,” said Matthew Fairley.

“The running backs are really physical. You won’t just blow past us. We’re going to block you and hit you. We’re not a weak team like that,” said Chan Harvey.

“Definitely our secondary, defensive-wise. I feel like our corners and our safeties really grew. I think the offense has improved skill-wise,” said Roman Green.

And after an intense preseason and fall camp, the wait for game day is almost over.

“Everybody is ready to go. We’re ready to get back to football. It’s been a minute since we played football, so we’re ready to hit some people,” said Harvey.

“I feel like these guys want it real bad. I want it real bad, and I feel like we can go a long way. I feel like we can go all the way, and I feel like it’s our year,” said Fairley.

“We’re a powerhouse. We’re going to get on that field, and you’ll be able to feel us. You’re going to know when we’re playing,” said Green.

“The excitement level is a 10, and if it could be any higher, it would be higher. I know our boys are sick of hitting each other and ready to hit somebody else. That’s where the energy really is.

“We’re just focused on Friday night, and right now we’re just trying to lead all that energy in the right direction. But, man, they’re so excited, and they’re ready to let loose,” said Coach Ladner.

The D’Iberville Warriors begin their 2026 season this Friday night, August 28, as they travel to Raleigh High School for a 7 p.m. kickoff.