Head Coach: Todd Lowery
2025 Record: 5-7
Region Record: 3-1, second in Region 8-2A
Classification: MHSAA Class 2A
Home Field: North Forrest High School, Eatonville
2026 Season Opener: Aug. 21 vs. Jefferson Davis County
A Program Moving Forward
For several years, North Forrest entered August searching for signs that the program was finally beginning to turn the corner.
Last fall, the Eagles found them.
North Forrest finished only 5-7 overall, but the record does not fully explain what head coach Todd Lowery’s team accomplished. The Eagles went 3-1 in region play, finished second in Region 8-2A and defeated Loyd Star 41-20 in the opening round of the playoffs. It was North Forrest’s first postseason victory since 2017.
One year earlier, the Eagles had finished 2-9 after injuries removed as many as nine starters from the lineup on both sides of the football. The difficult season forced younger players onto the field before they were expected to be ready. That experience began paying off in 2025 as North Forrest more than doubled its win total and returned to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.
Now the Eagles are entering 2026 with something that has been difficult to find in recent seasons: momentum.
North Forrest returns most of the important pieces from last year’s playoff team, along with several athletes who are becoming more committed to the football program. Lowery believes the increased participation and buy-in have helped the Eagles continue their gradual climb.
The expectations are no longer limited to simply improving. North Forrest wants to compete for the Region 8-2A championship and prove last season’s playoff victory was the beginning of something larger.
Tyler Spencer Leads the Returning Core
North Forrest’s most prominent returning player is senior running back and linebacker Tyler Spencer. Listed at approximately 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, Spencer is built to contribute in the physical areas of the game. He can carry the football between the tackles, defend the run from the linebacker position and remain on the field in a variety of offensive and defensive packages.
North Forrest does not possess the enormous roster found at the Pine Belt’s larger programs. Many of the Eagles’ best players will contribute on both sides of the football and on special teams. Spencer should be near the center of everything North Forrest does.
His importance extends beyond statistics. As one of the senior leaders, he represents a group that experienced the program’s difficult seasons before helping produce last year’s turnaround. The Eagles will need him to set the tone as they attempt to take another step.
Experience at Quarterback
North Forrest’s available preseason roster lists two seniors capable of playing quarterback and defensive back: Jarrott Fairley Jr. and Landon Hayes.
Fairley is listed at approximately 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, giving the Eagles an athletic option with enough size to see the field and create plays outside the pocket. Hayes, listed around 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds, gives North Forrest another experienced athlete capable of contributing in the backfield or secondary.
Having multiple seniors with experience handling the football provides Lowery with flexibility. North Forrest can use traditional quarterback sets, bring in an additional runner or move one player to another position depending on the matchup. At a smaller school, that type of versatility can make an offense much more difficult to prepare for.
The Eagles do not necessarily need to become a pass-heavy team. Their offensive identity will likely continue to revolve around the running game, physical play and getting the ball into the hands of their best athletes. However, improved quarterback consistency could help North Forrest avoid becoming predictable against the strongest teams in Region 8-2A.
A Two-Way Identity
Two-way football has long been part of the North Forrest program. The 2026 roster again includes several players listed at positions on both sides of the ball. Patrick Clark is listed as a senior tight end and defensive end. At approximately 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Clark can provide a larger target on offense while also contributing as an edge defender.
Junior Trayven Young is another tight end and linebacker option. Cokie Crosby is listed as a junior running back and defensive back, while younger players such as Peyton Buchanan, Jaquari McCollum and the Walker brothers can contribute at receiver, running back or in the secondary.
The Defense Must Set the Tone
North Forrest will face several opponents that want to win with speed and physicality.
East Marion defeated the Eagles 38-6 last season. Bay Springs held North Forrest to six points in the regular-season finale, and Heidelberg overwhelmed the Eagles in the second round of the playoffs. Those games showed the difference between becoming a playoff team and becoming a serious Class 2A championship contender.
The defense must narrow that gap. Spencer should lead the linebacker group, with Clark and Young providing size around the line of scrimmage. Fairley and Hayes give North Forrest senior options in the secondary, while Crosby and several younger defensive backs add athleticism.
Todd Lowery’s Patient Rebuild
Lowery took over North Forrest before the 2022 season following a winless campaign. The rebuild has not happened overnight. The Eagles endured injuries, small rosters and difficult stretches while Lowery attempted to change the culture around the program. North Forrest entered the 2025 season having gone 15-54 over the previous seven years.
Last season provided the clearest evidence that the work was beginning to produce results. Lowery has described the process as steady growth rather than an instant transformation. That gradual improvement is visible in the program’s record. North Forrest went from two victories and no playoff success in 2024 to five victories, a second-place region finish and a postseason win in 2025.
The next step is consistency.
An Eagle at the Division I Level
North Forrest currently has one of its former standouts playing Division I football.
Daylin Page is a redshirt freshman defensive lineman at Louisiana Tech. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound former Eagle was a three-star prospect who selected the Bulldogs over offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Army, UAB and Southern Miss.
Page recorded 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks during his senior season at North Forrest in 2024. He also scored three touchdowns at tight end and became the first player from the school to receive a national recruiting ranking.
Five Games to Watch
Aug. 21 – Jefferson Davis County
North Forrest opens the season against a nearby program with plenty of athletic ability. The opener should provide an immediate indication of how much the Eagles’ returning core has improved.
Sept. 4 – Lumberton
The Panthers defeated North Forrest 32-15 last season. This home rematch gives the Eagles an opportunity to measure themselves against another established small-school program.
Oct. 2 – Collins
North Forrest opened region play with a 30-20 victory over Collins last year. The rematch in Eatonville will be important to both teams’ playoff hopes.
Oct. 9 – East Marion
East Marion handed North Forrest its only region loss in 2025 and won the matchup 38-6. This game may be North Forrest’s best opportunity to demonstrate how much closer it has moved toward the top of Region 8-2A.
Oct. 16 – at Sacred Heart
North Forrest defeated Sacred Heart 27-19 last season. The rematch in Hattiesburg could have major implications in the race for one of the region’s playoff positions.
2026 North Forrest Schedule
Aug. 21 – Jefferson Davis County
Sept. 4 – Lumberton
Sept. 18 – Enterprise
Sept. 25 – at Taylorsville
Oct. 2 – Collins*
Oct. 9 – East Marion*
Oct. 16 – at Sacred Heart*
Oct. 23 – at Perry Central*
Oct. 29 – at Bay Springs
Magnolia Coast Sports Outlook
North Forrest showed progress last season by finishing second in Region 8-2A and winning a playoff game, but the Eagles still have work to do against the stronger teams on their schedule.
With Tyler Spencer and several experienced two-way players returning, North Forrest should remain competitive in region play. Depth and consistency will determine whether the Eagles can return to the postseason.
Magnolia Coast Sports Prediction: 4-5 regular season and a third-place finish in Region 8-2A.
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