ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN)—Despite a winning record, the 2025 season did not live up to the standard that the Enterprise Wildcats have set for themselves, as the team fell just short of the playoffs. But as the new year begins, the Wildcats are looking to prove that last season will not be repeated. "Our expectation is to be in the hunt," head coach Ben Blackmon said. "We play in this brutal region, and had a few games we let slip and didn't play well at all; you can't do that in this region...6-4 a couple of years ago got us into the playoffs, and we got into the semi-finals. 6-4 last year didn't get us into the playoffs, and that's just the battle of this region." Enterprise enters the 2026 season riding the momentum from last year's finish, as the Wildcats won four straight games after starting 2-4. But the 'Cats are facing an unfamiliar uphill battle this year, as this is one of the younger teams this program has started the season with. Blackmon said that multiple underclassmen will be asked to step up in big ways if this team has any plans for a postseason run. "You look at the last two years in our program, and we've lost 65 kids to graduation...it's time for our younger kids who've been in this program to step up and get their opportunity. The one thing they lack is experience." And that statement remains true primarily on the defensive side of the ball. The Wildcats will need to replace all their starting linebackers from 2025, along with all but one player in the defensive backfield. And who's the lone starter from last year's defensive back room? Rising sophomore Kardai Johnson, who started his entire freshman season. As the season draws near, the Enterprise coaching staff is finalizing its defensive roster with Kayden Cooper and Silas Johnson roaming the backfield at the safety positions. Juniors Barrett Upton and Mason Moates will command the middle of the field at linebacker, while senior defensive end Aiden Arne will look to lead the front defensive line. Offensively, the biggest change will be at quarterback, as junior signal-caller Mac Houston will replace Mason Burkhardt. For Houston, he should consider himself one of the luckiest quarterbacks in the Wiregrass as he's surrounded by talent that's played meaningful minutes in the past. Seniors Kenyon Kilow, Zach Laws, LT Baldwin, and Dustyn Leavigne make up the experienced wide receiver room. While Caleb Nalls and Darrian Beauford give Enterprise a one-two punch at running back. 2026 Enterprise Wildcats Football Schedule (* denotes region game)
Aug. 21st - Pike Road Aug. 28th - Crestview (FL) Sep. 4th - @ Opelika * Sep. 11th - Auburn * Sep. 18th - @ Dothan * Sep. 25th - @ Andalusia Oct. 2nd - Smiths Station * Oct. 9th - @ Carver Montgomery * Oct. 16th - J.A.G * Oct. 23rd - @ Central Phenix City * Oct. 30th - OPEN Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.