Horseheads football ready for big season

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM) - Horseheads football is back and looking to get back on top of the Section IV mountain again this season. The Blue Raiders kicked off with their first practice of the season Monday afternoon for the 2026 season. Two years ago, Horseheads captured their first Section IV Class A crown since 1998. But, last year, Horseheads fell in an overtime thriller to Union-Endicott in the title game coming up just short 21-20. Horseheads finished (7-4) last season and will have to replace all-everything running back Pat Laney who was the 2025 Ernie Davis Award winner. Returning is senior running back Bryce Thomas who is looking to have a strong year and junior quarterback Lyncoln Bennett will be under center for Horseheads. Also back is standout linebacker Elijah Miller for his senior season. Miller has been invited to several major college look camps at the next level and should be a force this season on defense. Horseheads has plenty of newcomers who will need to step up to help them return to championship form. Horseheads' opening game of the season will be on the road at Rochester Aquinas on Saturday, September 5 at 1:30 PM. Full schedule of the team is listed below, stay with 18 Sports for more as the season develops. 2026 Horseheads Football Schedule at Rochester Aquinas - September 5, 1:30 PM at Binghamton - September 12, 1 PM Union-Endicott - September 18, 7 PM at Waverly - September 25, 7 PM at Vestal - October 2, 7 PM Central Square - October 9, 7 PM (Homecoming) at Elmira - October 16, 6 PM Corning - October 23, 7 PM Maine-Endwell - October 30, 7 PM (Senior Night) 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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.