The Pickering Red Devils will look to continue the success of last season after finishing 5-5 in 2025, one game better than the 4-6 finish in 2024. The 2025 season marked the most wins at Pickering High School since the 2021 season.
The Red Devils will return to 4-2A District play following two seasons without district honors as the program rebuilt. Pickering is 9-11 over the past two seasons and will look to build on that momentum.
This year’s team will be led by 11 seniors, including starting quarterback Taylon Osorio, middle linebacker Hunter Noel and wide receiver/defensive back Caleb Falls, who all contributed on both sides of the ball in 2025. The Red Devils will have senior leadership built from experience and the weight room, along with added depth.
Offense
Last year’s leading rusher, Israel Ariaza, graduated after rushing for 568 yards and eight touchdowns. The Red Devils also graduated starters Braden Ford, Xavier Mitchell, Landon Noel, Ethan Brown, Jackson LaPlante, Blake Brown and Matthew Blankenship.
Many starters will return, with some moving to new positions.
Senior quarterback Taylon Osorio returns after producing 1,500 total yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Newcomer Linkon Brown will back up Osorio and also play wide receiver.
Junior Laderius Pigford will take over at running back and brings explosiveness and ball-carrier vision. Senior Hunter Noel will move from a utility position, while Carson Smith and Hayden Murphy provide depth.
Wide receivers Caleb Falls, Brayan Dedios, Hunter Kirby, Braxton Baker and Jordan Jones return as an all-senior group to lead the passing attack. Newcomer Joseph Buxton, a 6-foot-3, 160-pound sophomore who excelled last year for the basketball program, is expected to provide a boost.
Sophomores Rylan Cossin and Colin Wilson and eighth grader Mason Gibbs round out the corps for depth.
The offensive line will be led by seniors Ivan Raygoza and Cameron Gibson, who started last year, along with junior Chaise Platt. Tyler Nolen returns to the line as a senior after sitting out last season. New starter junior Avery Chestnut will round out the first group.
Senior Davion Ross, sophomores Jase Jackson, Tanner Klesko and Braylin Corley, freshmen Kristopher Bomberbach, Ayden Louvier and Kameron Kutyb and eighth graders Colby Bartlett and Brentley Miller will provide additional depth.
Defense
The Red Devils defense improved greatly from 2024, lowering its average from almost 28 points per game to 21. The defense scored five touchdowns and two safeties last season while recording 20 sacks using a multiple 3-5 defense.
Graduated defensive starters Xavier Mitchell, Braden Ford, Landon Noel and Ethan Brown are gone, while junior Jackson LaPlante also moved on.
The Red Devils will return a strong group of linebackers led by senior Hunter Noel, who shifted to middle linebacker this season. Noel, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds, led the Red Devils with 81 total tackles last year.
Seniors Cameron Gibson, Hunter Kirby and Carson Smith complete the senior group at linebacker. Senior Braxton Baker, junior Laderius Pigford and junior Hayden Murphy will rotate with the group, while freshman Kristopher Bomberbach adds depth.
The defensive line will include seniors Ivan Raygoza and Tyler Nolen, junior Avery Chestnut and freshman Aydan Louvier. Rotational players include senior Davion Ross, junior Chaise Platt, sophomore Jase Jackson and Colby Bartlett.
The secondary will be led by returning defensive standout Caleb Falls, who intercepted five passes and returned three for touchdowns last season. Senior Brayan Dedios and sophomores Joseph Buxton, Rylan Cossin and Jordan Jones will round out the group.
Colin Wilson, Linkon Brown and Mason Gibbs will provide depth.
2026 Outlook
The Red Devils will say goodbye to players who helped jumpstart the program over the past two years, including graduated State Powerlifting Champion linebacker/wide receiver Braden Ford, running back/linebacker Xavier Mitchell, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Landon Noel, offensive lineman/defensive lineman Ethan Brown and tight end/defensive end Jackson LaPlante.
Pickering will return 10 starters on offense and five on defense this season.
The team’s commitment to the weight room through its powerlifting program continues to help build success, along with a strong commitment to offseason and summer programs.
The Red Devils will have significant senior leadership and returning starters this season, with many young players filling in behind them. New players who have joined the program will look to fill the roles of those who graduated and contribute to a successful season.
The Pickering Red Devils will have six home varsity games this season at O’Banion Stadium, with the home opener set for Friday, Sept. 4, against Pine Prairie.