Jayton Jaybirds

Head Coach: Josh Stanaland

Last Season: 15-0; 4-0 in district (Defeated Richland Springs in 1A Division II State Title Game)

Returning Lettermen: 9 (3 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)

Jayton Key Players and Storylines

Bode Ham went ham in his time in Jayton’s 99-54 victory over Richland Springs in the 1A Division II title game last year, accounting for 13 total touchdowns.

He is just one of the key players from last year’s team that Jayton must replace this season. The Jaybirds are also moving up to 1A Division I after realignment in February.

Still, Josh Stanaland points out that this year’s senior class is 42-1 in their time at Jayton.

WR Tucker Scott will be a leader for the Jayton offense this year.

The physicality and experience of offensive lineman Dayton Bleiker will be huge in the trenches. Running back Lorenzo Vargas is poised to step into the lead role in the backfield after the graduation of Ham and quarterback Sean Stanaland. When Jayton does turn to the air, look for explosive tight end/receiver Tucker Scott to be a frequent target after he earned first team all-district honors last year.

Defensively, the Jaybirds must replace their two Defensive MVPs from last year, but they do have massive 6’5″, 335-pound nose guard Garrison Allen to anchor the unit. He’ll be joined by defensive end Brylen Bezer and Bleiker up front. On the back end, expect Vargas to play a large role in the secondary too alongside cornerback Cash Chisum.

There’s no denying the production Jayton lost to graduation, but Stanaland said this year’s group has been waiting for their time in the spotlight. With their work ethic, he expects them to be “better than a lot of people expect” as the Jaybirds make the jump up a division.

Jayton Jaybirds 2026 Football Schedule

*Denotes District 4-1A Division I Contest