Returning players and established chemistry give Plant City a strong foundation under new head coach Chris Thompson.
Plant City High School enters the 2026 football season with a new voice at the top, but plenty of familiarity throughout the program.
Chris Thompson, who previously served as the Raiders’ associate head coach, has taken over as full-time head coach following the departure of Will Blankenbaker. While the change marks a new chapter for Plant City, Blankenbaker will remain on staff as a co-offensive coordinator, providing continuity as the program moves forward.
Reagan Ealy will serve as the other co-offensive coordinator while coaching the wide receivers.
For Thompson, the transition is about more than stepping into a new title. It is an opportunity to build on the foundation already in place while establishing the standard he wants Plant City football to represent.
“The biggest change for our staff this season is within our leadership structure,” Thompson said. “I will be transitioning from Associate Head Coach into the full-time Head Coach role.”
Blankenbaker’s continued presence gives the Raiders another familiar voice during the transition.
“Coach Blankenbaker, our former Head Coach, will remain on staff and transition into a Co-Offensive Coordinator role,” Thompson said. “He will also continue to assist with some of the day-to-day operations of the program, which gives us valuable continuity as we move forward.”
On the field, Plant City will be led by captains Demonti Wilson, Collin Henderson and Da’Zariyan Jenkins. The Raiders return the majority of their roster from last season, giving Thompson an experienced foundation despite having a relatively young team.
“We’re a young team, but we’re a team with a lot of athleticism and physicality,” Thompson said. “We return the majority of our team from last season, so the chemistry is already present. Our guys are bought in, they’ve been working, and they’re ready to be successful.”
That combination of youth and experience is one Thompson believes could define the Raiders this season.
“I think what makes this group unique is the combination of youth, athleticism and experience we have,” he said. “They’ve played together, they’ve been through some things together, and there’s already chemistry within the group. Now it’s about taking that experience and playing fast, physical and confident.”
One of Plant City’s most intriguing position groups is its receiving corps.
Adam Robinson and Andrew Perez are among the offensive players to watch, while newcomer John Snellings adds another talented option. Thompson expects the group to create problems for opposing defenses with its ability to win individual matchups and generate big plays.
“We have a number of guys who can make an impact this season,” Thompson said. “Our receiving corps is one of the groups I’m especially excited about. We have multiple guys with the ability to win their individual matchups, find ways to get open, and turn opportunities into big plays.”
Snellings is expected to contribute immediately, while Demarquez Holloman gives the Raiders another versatile weapon. Holloman can line up in multiple positions, allowing Plant City to create mismatches and utilize his athleticism in different situations.
“John Snellings is another receiver who adds to the athleticism we have at that position,” Thompson said. “Demarquez Holloman is a true athlete for us who can contribute just about anywhere we need him. His versatility gives us the ability to use him in multiple roles and situations.”
Defensively, Wilson and Jenkins will provide leadership as the Raiders look to a group that also features Addison Ford, Taevion Parker and Javion Limehouse.
“Defensively, Demonti Wilson, Da’Zariyan Jenkins, Addison Ford, Taevion Parker and Javion Limehouse are guys to keep an eye on,” Thompson said. “Demonti and Da’Zariyan are two of our captains and guys we expect to be leaders for us on that side of the ball.”
Limehouse brings playmaking ability to the secondary, while Ford and Parker add to the unit’s overall athleticism.
“Javion is a guy for us with elite ball skills and athleticism,” Thompson said. “He has the ability to make plays when the ball is in the air and gives us another playmaker in the secondary.”
While wins will always be the ultimate goal, Thompson said the identity of the 2026 Raiders will be measured by more than their record.
“The goal is to win football games, but for me it’s also about how we go about doing it,” he said. “I want us to be a team that plays fast, plays physical and gives everything we have for four quarters.”
That mindset has already started to take shape during the offseason.
“The buy-in has probably stood out the most,” Thompson said. “The guys have really embraced what we’re asking of them. There’s been good energy, they’re competing, and you can see that they want to get better. We’re not where we want to be yet, but I’ve been pleased with the way they’ve worked and the way they’ve responded to being coached.”
For Thompson, however, the standard extends beyond the football field.
“The biggest message I’ve emphasized to our guys is the importance of winning in all phases of life,” Thompson said. “They’re STUDENT-athletes, and we put student first for a reason.”
That philosophy is central to the culture Thompson wants to build, with the Raiders expected to represent Plant City in the classroom, on campus and in their community just as they do on Friday nights.
When they take the field, Thompson wants the Raiders to play with the same identity: fast, physical and disciplined, while trusting their teammates and competing through the final whistle.
With a familiar roster, a talented group of playmakers and a head coach who already knows the program, Plant City enters 2026 with a strong foundation and a chance to take its next step.
The leadership may be changing, but Thompson believes the standard is only beginning to take shape.
ROSTER
0 Taevion Parker FS/RB 5’10” 175 12
1 Adam Robinson WR 6’5” 205 10
1 Adam Robinson WR 6’5” 205 10
2 Tavare Miller QB 6’2” 190 12
3 John Snellings WR 6’2” 190 12
4 Evan Reeves DE 6’2” 200 10
5 Andrew Perez WR 5’10” 165 10
6 Javion Limehouse CB 5’11” 155 10
7 Addison Ford SAF 6’1” 190 11
8 Da’Zariyan Jenkins DE 6’2” 200 12
9 Chance Holloman DE/LB 6’2” 220 12
10 Demonti Wilson LB 5’10” 220 11
11 Collin Henderson QB 6’3” 205 12
13 Henry Pettys LB 5’10” 190 11
14 Robert Hanson K 5’8” 170 11
15 Caden Walker WR 5’10” 160 10
16 Greg Lewis DB/WR — — 12
17 Zarian Woodley WR/DB 5’10” 170 12
18 Kanye Howard FS/WR 5’9” 165 9
19 Christian Broome LB 5’10” 190 12
20 Deshon Walton RB 5’10” 175 11
22 Zion Weems RB 5’10” 200 11
24 Jadoni Maxwell CB 6’0” 170 12
25 Jaden Ford CB 5’9” 160 12
28 Stephen Gibson FS 6’0” 170 12
29 Nathan Combs SAF/LB — — 10
30 Brodie Chartier WR/DB — — 12
32 Micah Limehouse DB — — 9
34 Luke Alderman RB — — 11
36 Byron Sanders DB — — 12
38 Rashod Johnson DB — — 11
40 Isiah McKenzie DB — — 12
42 Hagan Stewart FB/DE — — 10
44 Luke Brown LB — — 10
45 KJ Whiteis LB/DE 6’1” 195 11
50 Rodney Woods DT/OT — — 9
52 Xavier Sanchez DT/OT — — 10
53 Cam Griffin OT 5’11” 190 11
54 Jermonte Hugee DT/OT — — 10
55 Issac Francis OT 6’2” 210 11
56 Leon Butler OT 5’11” 200 10
57 Preston Sanchious DT — — 12
60 Guillermo Aguinaga DT 6’3” 260 10
68 Aiden Nickerson C 6’0” 230 10
21 Jarvis Sherman FS 5’9” 180 12
72 Britton Mormino OG 6’3” 285 10
75 Raymond Fitgerald DT 6’7” 350 9
77 Brayden Thompson OT 6’0” 210 11
83 Marcus White WR/DB — — 12
