HSRZ Preview 2026: Spartanburg Vikings

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) - It's the most wonderful time of the year in the Carolinas: high school football season! With the 2026 season inching closer, the Spartanburg Vikings are previewed ahead of kickoff on Friday August 28 at Greenwood.

SPARTANBURG VIKINGS:

Head Coach: Mark Hodge, 7th season

2025 Record: 7-5, 5-2 (Placed 4th in region)

• In 2021, the Vikings fell to Gaffney in the 5A U.S. Final

Key Returners:

Chris Colin (QB), Aryan Desai (QB), Trenton Lynch (RB), Skyler Douglas (WR), Tre’Gan Mickler (WR), BJ Dawkins (WR, S), Charlie McCrory (TE), Kemareon Davis (NG, DT), Tryon Duncan (DE, TE), RJ Estrich (FS), Jayden Brown (CB), Sentell Hall (S), Antavion Hawes (OLB), Ta'Korean "TK" Keenon (LB).

Key Losses:

Trey Burke (QB), Will Love (K, P)

Preview:

Going into Mark Hodge's seventh season, the Vikings lose QB Trey Burke and PK Will Love, but they return stellar RB Trenton Lynch (1204 yards/17 TDs - 10 games - Needs 1151 yards to break Carrie Norris' program rushing record). He'll run behind four returning offensive linemen while WRs Skyler Douglas, BJ Dawkins, Tre'Gan Mickler and TE Charlie McCrory will catch passes from either Chris Colin, or Aryan Desai.

Lynch is just under 1200 yards from the Spartanburg Vikings rushing record. Among the key defensive returnees are LBs Antavion Hawes, TK Keenon, DLs Kemareon Davis, and Tryon Duncan, who'll add experience in the secondary led by Sentell Hall and Jayden Brown.

Check back weeknights on 7NEWS as more teams are previewed.