Southampton Academy’s varsity football team enters the 2026 season with a new head coach and largely new lineup, all of whom are seeking to continue the success of the squad that has made it to the Virginia Independent Schools (Eight-Man) Football League (VI8FL) state championship game the last two years.

The Raiders went 10-1 last season, with their only loss coming in the state final via a narrow 15-11 margin against defending champion Brunswick Academy.

Southampton Academy (SA) Head Coach Cole Heiderich moved on following the 2025 season, as did eight seniors who played a majority of the snaps. Included in that group were Ethan Webb, Grant Applewhite, Lorenzo Arce, Hunter Bell, Jake Holland and Ashton Whitehead.

Marshall Dunn was announced as the new SA varsity football head coach on June 12.

He described his reaction to being hired in this new role.

Marshall Dunn Submitted

“It was surreal,” he said. “When (SA Head of School Tamee Railey) asked, my original response was along the lines of, ‘Sure, I would love to help coach.’ She replied by telling me she intended that I be the head coach. I immediately agreed, as it is a privilege to return to my alma mater (Class of 2008) where I played under Coach Dale Marks during his tenure as the varsity head coach.”

Dunn noted that his prior coaching experience includes having coached middle school boys basketball, junior varsity (JV) football, JV baseball and cross country during his time working at Tidewater Academy from 2014-17.

He added that for the last three years, he has been the JV baseball coach at Southampton High School.

Dunn offered insight into his football coaching philosophy.

“One of the first things I did at the start of our offseason workouts and preseason workouts was to write what I believe our team needs to focus on this year and become pillars of SA Football,” he said. “I wrote and told our team that we will work on Discipline (minimize mental mistakes and do the small things right), Effort (hustle beats talent when talent doesn’t hustle), Toughness (play through the whistle on every play), Accountability (own your mistakes but learn from them), and Brotherhood (there is no ‘I’ in team because we are SA).

“My intention with (these) pillars comes from Proverbs 27:17: ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,’” he said.

Dunn noted that this season, he will be focusing more on offense because Assistant Coach Cass Camp will be calling defensive plays.

“However, all coaches work together to the betterment of the entire team,” Dunn said.

Reflecting on the Raiders’ 2025 season, Dunn conveyed what he thinks the lesson was that can benefit his players entering the 2026 campaign.

“They have seen hard work pays off, but the key is to not become complacent with success, as it has to be earned each year,” he said. “This team was very successful under Coach Cole Heiderich, with back-to-back seasons appearing in the state championship. He has built an amazing program, and to get back to the state championship game, these players have to buy into the five points (Discipline, Effort, Toughness, Accountability, and Brotherhood) and embody those as we build each (other) up not just in our practices but also on gameday to continue the winning legacy at SA.”

The 2026 Raiders roster includes two seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores and five freshmen, and Dunn shared his expectations for the team.

“As I would love to win every game this year, I want our team to show growth this year as we are young and many players are seeing playing time increases and role changes,” he said. “I am confident our players are up to the task, and as I get to know their capabilities and the playbook better, they will also improve in their conditioning and execution each game. I want to keep focused and minimize our mistakes that will force the other team to beat us rather than us beating ourselves. Our goal is to remain a premier team in the VCC for eight-man football.”

The coach noted that the varsity Raiders’ greatest strength going into the 2026 season is the support system at SA.

“I am not having to reinvent the wheel as I do not have to introduce a brand new playbook,” Dunn said. “Coach Marks and Coach Lass, who coach the (junior junior varsity) team, have done an amazing job with the rising ninth graders. Even though the returning players are having to step up, they know the playbook and expectations of this program established by Coach Heiderich.

“Instead of teaching 17 guys a completely new playbook, I am the one learning from them, and we are shaping our team together,” Dunn continued. “Having Coach Camp and Coach (Greg) Bell return to the coaching staff this year also allows me to pick their brains about what we can use from the previous years and how we can make it work for this year.”

Dunn said the greatest challenge facing the 2026 Raiders is replacing all the production that graduated last school year.

“I think the returning players this year are hungry to prove themselves,” he said. “Even though at the start of summer some players were telling me this is a rebuilding year, I firmly believe that their effort can make this a successful year and minimize the dropoff from previous years.”

The coach highlighted a trio of players that he expects to lead the Raiders on offense this year.

“Addison Gurganus is a senior and has become a vocal leader during our offensive sessions, helping others learn our plays and calls,” Dunn said. “Even though he did not see a lot of playing time last year, he is ready to take on the challenge this year. He will take a majority of his snaps at tailback but will be used in multiple positions. His vision allows him to make cuts running the ball, which will help us gain yards.”

The coach said sophomore Grant Rebbe will be the team’s primary quarterback.

“While not as vocal as Addison, (Grant) has the hardest job in football of being the signal caller for the offense,” Dunn said. “He is constantly working on his fundamentals and seeks to improve every practice not just his offensive play but his defensive as well.”

Sophomore Kyle Jarratt will be returning at center.

“He is one of the few returning players that saw playing time last year,” Dunn said. “As a freshman, he started at center, and with another year of experience and work, he will be the leader of the offensive line.”

Highlighting expected leaders of the SA’s defense this year, Dunn once again started by mentioning Gurganus, noting that he has been impressive in the team’s defensive sessions because “he knows the game and, better yet, loves contact. For his size, he is a hard hitter and, like on the offensive side of the ball, will be used in multiple positions.”

Next, the coach said, “Tristan Labreque is a senior who is switching positions on the offensive side of the ball and could be on the defensive side as well. So far, he has proven that he is not afraid of contact and is constantly ready to hit someone, and hard.

Lastly, Dunn drew attention to junior Toler Bowers, noting how he is one of the few returning players who saw more playing time than others.

“Most of the time he played defensive end, and at the moment (defensive) end is his primary position on defense, but a lot of these guys will be used in several positions and playing both sides of the ball,” the coach said.

On special teams, sophomore Rylee Wood will be a primary placekicker, Dunn said.

“His main task is to be accurate with his kicks for certain calls and plays we are trying to achieve on kickoffs,” Dunn said. “Kicking is just as important as receiving, and those plays can make or break a game.”

Southampton Academy started its season a week earlier than most teams in the area, hosting Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School on Friday, Aug. 21. The Raiders fell 40-0, but they will have a chance to bounce back on Friday, Aug. 28, when they host Halifax Academy at 7 p.m.

SA 2026 Coaching Staff

Marshall Dunn - Head Coach

Cass Camp - Assistant Coach

Greg Bell - Assistant Coach

Denver Rose - Team Manager

Southampton Academy Raiders 2026 Schedule

Aug. 21: Blessed Sacrament - at home - 7 p.m.

Aug. 28: Halifax Academy - at home - 7 p.m.

Sept. 4: Kenston Forest - away - 7 p.m.

Sept. 11: Fishburne Military - at home - 7 p.m.

Sept. 19: Broadwater - away - 2 p.m.

Sept. 25: Greenbrier Christian - at home - 7 p.m.

Oct. 2: Life Christian - away - 7 p.m.

Oct. 9: Rappahannock County - at home - 7 p.m.

Oct. 16: Chincoteague - away - 7 p.m.

Oct. 23: Brunswick Academy - away - 7 p.m.

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