EUFAULA IRONHEADS
Coach: LARRY NEWTON JR.
2-8
Eufaula heads into 2026–27 bracing for “another challenging season” but with a core group that has grown together in the program for three years. Head coach Larry Newton Jr., now in his 15th year at Eufaula High School, notes that the Ironheads have “lost a couple of kids to the portal” and will be a young club again, with only five seniors and five juniors. Even so, they return four starters on both sides of the ball, and Newton believes the key will be how quickly the offensive and defensive lines come together.
Offensively, the Ironheads return four starters and will remain a run first team that is willing to open up the passing game when needed. Up front, senior linemen Trevor Dodd (6-1, 245) and A.J. Taylor (6-4, 270) anchor the line. Taylor is Eufaula’s VYPE Top 100 nominee, a two-way performer who “does everything you ask of him.” Dodd is in his second year as a starter and is praised for his “little nasty edge,” while Taylor brings size with “sky is the limit” potential. Senior quarterback Koltyn Lane (6-0, 165) returns as a second-year starter and “ultimate competitor.” Senior receiver Zayvion Price steps into a starting role after serving in the rotation. Junior running back Chase Bumgarner transfers back from Morris and is described as “tough,” especially in short-yardage situations, while junior receiver R’Reon Morrow is quick with good hands. Newton says the offense is a “hard nose group,” with sophomore Kayne Littleman adding energy.
Defensively, Eufaula also returns four starters and will line up in a 3-4 alignment built to attack. Newton describes the philosophy as “attack,” trying to disrupt opponents by keeping them guessing where pressure is coming from. Dodd again anchors the defensive front, while Taylor slides to defensive end. Bumgarner plays outside linebacker, where he “will attack opponent” and “seeks contact,” while Price plays corner. Lane contributes at safety, and Morrow returns to the secondary after missing time last year with injury. With experience on the front and in the secondary, Eufaula’s defensive focus is on stopping the run and generating disruption.
9-3 – at Hartshorne
9-11 – at Tahlequah Sequoyah
9-18 – vs. Checotah
9-25 – at Metro Christian
10-2 – vs. Jay
10-9 – at Jones
10-15 – vs. Berryhill
10-23 – at Tulsa Webster
10-30 – vs. Catoosa
11-6 – vs. Vinita
To nominate a high school student for a feature in VYPE Magazine email a nomination to [email protected]
