Rutland Hurricanes ready to prove themselves in 2026

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – After two winless seasons the Rutland Hurricanes are optimistic that 2026 will be a lot better once the lights shine on Friday nights.

Despite having only 7 seniors on this year’s team, Head Coach Anthony Williams was pleasantly surprised by how many athletes showed up for camp back in June. The roster might be young, but the players are hungry and motivated to put the past two seasons in the rearview mirror. That mindset has been the focus of this season’s camp.

“Those guys know what the standard is,” Williams said. “We got guys that are coming up that are young guys, but they’re trying to step up and be vocal, be leaders, and they’re trying to help us get this thing moving in the right direction. Just seeing those guys come out with that much excitement, that much enthusiasm, it brightens my heart, brightens my day.”

“I’m gonna try my best and give it all that I have to make sure we don’t go 0-10 again this year,” Junior quarterback Zamarien Johnson said.

“We come out here every day, bust our butts, so we gotta show a lot of people that we got something to prove,” Senior receiver and cornerback Donavon Rutledge added.

The Hurricanes kick off the regular season against Crawford County on Aug. 21.