Andrew Jackson Academy Football Team 1-1 After Two Games, Warrior Volleyball Team Off To 6-0 Start & Focused On Deep Playoff Run
As of August 28, the Warriors are 6-0 having lost just one game in competition thus far.
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Ehrhardt—After two games of the 2026 season the Andrew Jackson Academy Warriors are 1-1 as they prepare to compete against Wardlaw Academy on September 4.
The Warriors opened up the season with a 14-0 loss to Jefferson Davis Academy. They bounded back with a 46-0 over Coastal Community Christian on August 28 in week two.
The two deep roster for AJA roster entering the season consisted of Will Barnes and Braedon Wilcox at quarterback while Everett Ulmer and Brad Hightower were the running backs. Ollie Barnes and either Landen Johnson or Hightower shared time at the tailback position. The full backs are rotating between Ulmer and Hightower.
The Warriors have two sets of tight ends. Jaxon Tucker is a returning starter at one TE slot, along with Johnson at back-up. On the other side you have Bryson Riddle and Gage Fisher sharing the TE position. Ely Mathys was a returner at right guard backed up by Mitch Ott. The starting center coming into the season was Evan Mathys backed up by Robert Stephenson. The left guard is Nathan King backed up by Stephenson.
On defense, one of the defensive end positions is shared by Eli Mathys, Stephenson or Ott, while on the other side you have King, Stephenson, or Ott. The two deep nose guards are Evan Mathys and Stephenson. There are two “contain positions” on defense. Riddle and Risher share one contain position while Hightower, Johnson and Braedon Wilcox hold down the other contain.
The Mike linebackers are Ulmer, or Hightower and the team employs double free safeties. On one side in the back is Barnee or Cody Grider, and on the other, Tucker and Will Barnes share a FS position.
The long snappers are Riddle or Eli Mathis while Ulmer and Johnson are the punter and place kickers. Ollie Barners and Johnson are the return men.
The AJA Volleyball Team 6-0 To Start 2026 Season
When the HSSR caught with the AJA volleyball team having a pre-season scrimmage against Bamberg Ehriahrdt, we were impressed with the ball skills of all their players as they dominated the scrimmage.
The team is head coached by Zach Boltin entering his third season as the head coach. “Our goals are sky high with this veteran team,” said Coach Boltin. “We just want to win the day and keep moving on. We want to win a region title and ultimately compete for a state championship at the end of the season.”
As of August 28, the Warriors are 6-0 having lost just one game in competition thus far. They have defeated: Cathedral (2-1), St Johns Christian (2-0), Thomas Heyward (3-0), Colleton Prep (3-0), Patrick Henry (3-0) and Jefferson Davis (3-0).
The team has been playing together now for several years and their communication on the court stands out.
Senior McKinley Beard (5-11) is back for her fifth season better than ever. Through six games she has a team leading 50 kills as an outside hitter along with 8 blocks and a serving percentage of 97.3. “McKinley is a 5th year starter and our vocal leader on the court,” said Coach Boltin. “
Senior middle hitter Carrigan Moore has 63 serving aces along with 45 points and a serving percentage of 92.1 over the first six games. “Carrigan is a big-time player at the net, and she contests hits coming over the net very well,” said Coach Boltin. “She also does a great job on the back row passing the ball to our setter.”
Senior setter Bella Carigg has 63 aces, 62 assists, a 95.2 serving percentage and she has scored 44 points after six games. “Bella is the quarterback of our offense, and she does an excellent job of spreading the ball around,” said Coach Boltin.
Senior Kinslie Carson is a senior RS, and she has 16 kills and has scored 27 points this season. “Kinslie is our right-side hitter and she is left-handed, so she does a great job of playing the ball on the right side of the court,” said Coach Boltin. “She rarely leaves the court, and she plays with a lot of heart.”
Junior outside hitter Peighton Jones has 13 kills and she has scored 31 points to contribute to the team’s success. “She plays all around the court and she is one of our top hitters,” said Coach Boltin. “This is her year on the varsity, and she brings a lot of energy to the team.”
Sophomore Harper Bessinger is the team’s Libero, and this is her first year on the varsity. She leads the team with 18 digs. “Harper pretty much takes charge of the back row,” said Coach Boltin. “She passes well to Bella allowing her to set up our hitters.”
Abby Ayer is a middle blocker on the team, and it is her first year on the varsity. “She protects the ball at the net, and she is getting more confident with every game she plays,” said Coach Boltin.
Senior MH Braelyn Hall suffered an ankle injury in a pre-season scrimmage, and she will miss the first six weeks of the season. Senior Mary Gray Hiers is a DS who has a 95-percentage serving percentage while senior Delanie Bessinger is a DS also.
The team will compete at Heathwood Hall (Sept 1), at Cathedral (Sept 3) before hosting home matches against Patrick Henry (Sept 8) and Calhoun Academy (Sept.,9).
Coach Bolt has been assisted by Carmen Mixon for the past three seasons.
