Pottstown Looks to Build a New Foundation Through Toughness and Physical Football 
Every season offers an opportunity for a fresh start, and no team may embrace that opportunity more than Pottstown High School.
After enduring a difficult 0-10 campaign in 2025, the Trojans enter the 2026 season determined to establish a new identity under head coach Anthony Smith. While last year’s record was disappointing, the coaching staff believes the experience gained by returning players, combined with a renewed emphasis on execution, physicality and toughness, provides the foundation for a more competitive season.
Pottstown competed against a demanding Pioneer Athletic Conference schedule, facing several playoff-caliber opponents throughout the fall. Although victories proved elusive, many young players gained valuable varsity experience that should benefit the program moving forward.
The Trojans must replace several key contributors, including Kingston Allen, Camren Dawson, Hakeem Wallow, Caden Nihart and Antoine Lofton, but they return veteran leadership in the trenches and several experienced two-way players expected to become the heart of the team.
For Pottstown, the focus is not on last season.
It is on creating a culture capable of changing the future.
Robbins Ready to Lead the Offense
Senior Tyson Robbins enters the season as one of the Trojans’ most versatile and important players.
At 5-foot-7 and 168 pounds, Robbins is expected to contribute in multiple phases of the game while providing senior leadership for a young roster.
Whether carrying the football, lining up at multiple offensive positions or contributing on special teams, Robbins gives the coaching staff flexibility to create mismatches.
His experience will be especially valuable as the Trojans look to improve offensively.
Pottstown needs consistent production from its veteran playmaker.
The coaching staff will likely find numerous ways to get Robbins involved each week, allowing him to use his speed and athleticism to create explosive plays.
His leadership may prove just as important as his statistics.
Veteran Guards Anchor Offensive Line
Success offensively begins up front, and Pottstown returns two experienced seniors to lead the offensive line.
Jose Charriez, a 6-foot, 210-pound guard, returns alongside Zaheim White, a powerful 6-foot-1, 310-pound interior lineman.
White’s size provides an imposing presence in the middle of the offensive front, while Charriez brings experience, toughness and versatility.
The coaching staff believes physicality will determine the offense’s success in 2026.
That responsibility begins with the offensive line.
If Charriez and White consistently win the battle at the line of scrimmage, the Trojans should become much more effective running the football while giving their backfield additional opportunities to succeed.
Their leadership will also be essential in helping younger linemen develop throughout the season.
Execution Will Define Offensive Success
The offensive philosophy entering the season is simple.
Execute.
Play physical football.
Limit mistakes.
The coaching staff has made it clear that execution and physicality will determine how successful the Trojans become.
That means sustaining blocks, protecting the football, avoiding penalties and finishing drives.
Pottstown understands that winning consistently begins with fundamentals.
Rather than searching for explosive plays every snap, the Trojans want to establish consistency.
Winning first down, staying ahead of the chains and controlling possession will allow the offense to develop confidence.
If the offensive line establishes a physical identity and Robbins creates opportunities with the football in his hands, Pottstown should become much more competitive than it was a year ago.
Defense Built Around Effort and Toughness
The identity of the 2026 Trojans may ultimately be established on defense.
The coaching staff has identified three words that define its expectations:
Effort. Attitude. Toughness.
Those principles will drive every defensive practice and every game this fall.
Pottstown understands that effort requires no talent.
Playing with relentless energy and physicality gives every team an opportunity to compete regardless of the opponent.
The Trojans want opponents to earn every yard.
Playing disciplined, aggressive defense will be the standard throughout the season.
Soto Leads the Linebackers
Senior Carmelo Soto returns as one of the leaders of the defense.
The veteran linebacker brings experience, physicality and toughness to the middle of the unit.
His ability to diagnose plays, pursue the football and make tackles will be critical.
The linebacker position often sets the tone defensively, and Soto’s leadership will be essential for a team looking to establish a more physical identity.
He will also help organize younger defenders while serving as one of the emotional leaders of the football team.
The coaching staff expects Soto to play a significant role in the defense’s improvement this season.
Defensive Front Returns Experience
Pottstown also returns experienced players along the defensive front.
Charriez moves from offensive guard to defensive end, where his toughness and motor should help establish the edge.
Junior Jaxen Nihart returns after gaining valuable varsity experience and is expected to become one of the defensive line’s key contributors.
At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Nihart gives the Trojans another athletic defender capable of creating pressure.
The defensive line will be responsible for controlling the line of scrimmage and allowing the linebackers to play downhill.
Winning those battles will be essential against the physical rushing attacks common throughout the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Robbins Provides Versatility on Defense
Just as he does offensively, Robbins gives the Trojans versatility on defense.
His athleticism allows him to contribute in multiple roles while providing leadership in the secondary and on the perimeter.
Pottstown will rely on its senior playmaker to help create turnovers and provide stability whenever the defense faces challenging situations.
Veteran players often set the emotional tone of a football team.
Robbins’ competitiveness and experience should help establish the culture the coaching staff wants throughout the roster.
Special Teams Begins With Robbins
Robbins also returns as the Trojans’ primary special teams weapon.
His athletic ability gives Pottstown the opportunity to create positive field position through the return game.
Winning hidden yardage often determines close football games.
The Trojans understand that special teams can become a difference-maker if executed with the same attention to detail as offense and defense.
Protecting field position, limiting mistakes and creating explosive returns will all be priorities this season.
Robbins provides the experience needed to lead that effort.
Players to Watch
Tyson Robbins, Sr., ATH: Versatile senior expected to impact offense, defense and special teams while serving as one of the team’s primary leaders.
Jose Charriez, Sr., OG/DE: Experienced two-way lineman whose toughness will help establish the physical identity of the football team.
Zaheim White, Sr., OG: Powerful 310-pound offensive lineman expected to anchor the interior of the offensive front.
Carmelo Soto, Sr., LB: Veteran linebacker who provides leadership and physicality in the middle of the defense.
Jaxen Nihart, Jr., DE: Athletic defensive lineman expected to play an expanded role after gaining valuable varsity experience.
My thoughts on Pottstown
The 2026 season represents an opportunity for a fresh beginning at Pottstown.
After a winless campaign, the Trojans are focused on building a stronger foundation through discipline, physical play and a relentless work ethic.
The offensive line returns experienced veterans in Charriez and White, while Robbins gives the offense an explosive athlete capable of making plays in multiple ways.
Defensively, Soto, Charriez, Nihart and Robbins provide experienced leadership around which the coaching staff hopes to build a tougher, more aggressive unit.
The biggest improvement may not immediately show in the win-loss column.
Instead, it will be measured by execution, effort and competitiveness each Friday night.
If the Trojans consistently play with the physicality the coaching staff demands, protect the football and embrace the defensive identity built around effort, attitude and toughness, Pottstown can take meaningful steps forward in 2026 and begin laying the groundwork for future success within the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Head Coach: Anthony Smith
Assistant Coaches:
Michael Tucker
Mase Goodman
James Etheridge
Will Santiago
Team Name: Pottstown High School Trojans
District: 1
Class: 5A
League: Pioneer Athletic Conference – Frontier Division
2025 Record: 0-10
8/22 Kennett (5A) 7:00 pm L 0-27
8/28 @ Bristol (2A) 7:00 pm L 8-14
9/05 @ Unionville (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-50
9/12 Oxford Area (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-38
9/19 @ Upper Merion* (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-26
9/26 @ Pottsgrove* (5A) 7:00 pm L 20-33
10/03 @ Phoenixville* (5A) 6:30 pm L 8-34
10/10 Pope John Paul II* (4A) 7:00 pm L 6-39
10/17 Upper Perkiomen* (5A) 7:00 pm L 6-21
10/24 @ Methacton (5A) 7:00 pm L 0-17 PAC Crossover game
2026 Schedule:
Date Opponent Kickoff
8/22 @ Martin Luther King (5A) 10:00 am Scrimmage; with Vaux
8/28 Harriton (5A) 7:00 pm
9/03 @ Daniel Boone (4A) 7:00 pm
9/11 Sun Valley/Northley (4A) 7:00 pm
9/18 @ Great Valley (5A) 7:00 pm
9/25 @ Pottsgrove* (4A) 7:00 pm
10/02 @ Upper Perkiomen* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/09 Norristown* (6A) 7:00 pm
10/16 Phoenixville* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/23 @ Upper Merion* (5A) 7:00 pm
10/30 PAC Crossover Game (Non-PIAA) 7:00 pm
Key Starters Lost:
Kingston Allen
Camren Dawson
Hakeem Wallow
Caden Nihart
Antoine Lofton
Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr Ath Tyson Robbins 5’7 168
Sr OG Jose Charriez 6′ 210
Sr OG Zaheim White 6’1 310
Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr Ath Tyson Robbins 5’7 168
Sr DE Jose Charriez 6′ 210
Sr LB Carmelo Soto 5’10 190
Jr. DE Jaxen Nihart 6′ 200
Special Team Starters Returning:
Sr Ath Tyson Robbins 5’7 168
Key Newcomers:
Sr Wr/DB Aaron Williams 6’1 190
2026 Offensive Outlook: Execution and physicality will be the determining factors for the Trojans success on the offensive side of the ball in 2026
2026 Defensive Outlook: EFFORT, ATTITUDE and TOUGHNESS will be the driving force behind the Trojans defense this year!