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2026 Hueytown Golden Gophers Team Preview

January 27, 2026
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2026 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Hueytown Golden Gophers
Head Coach: Billy Chandler
Classification & Area Number: Class 6A, Area 8
2025 Record (Finish): 25-15 (Sweet 16)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

RHP/SS Jackson Carmichael (6/11/25)

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • RHP Will Blackburn (2028)
  • 1B/LHP Landon Pickens (2028)
  • UTL Reggie Jones (2029)

OTHER UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

OF Braylon Towns (8/4/24)

TEAM OUTLOOK

Hueytown enters the 2026 season coming off another strong year, finishing 25-15 in 2025 and advancing to the Sweet 16 before falling to Spanish Fort. The Golden Gophers also captured their 10th consecutive area championship, continuing one of the most consistent runs in Class 6A. With a large senior class returning and proven success year after year, Hueytown once again sets its sights on making a deep postseason push in Class 6A Area 8.

The Golden Gophers bring back a veteran core led by multiple seniors expected to anchor both the lineup and pitching staff. C Jose Irreaza (Central Alabama CC, 2026) returns as a key piece after previously starting at third base and shifting into the primary catcher role this season. Irreaza provides stability behind the plate along with consistent offensive production. OF/INF Caleb Chapman (2026) returns as a top-of-the-order option, bringing speed, versatility, and experience while likely handling duties in center field and second base. On the mound, Hueytown will lean heavily on RHP/SS Jackson Carmichael (East Mississippi CC, 2026), who enters as the projected front-line arm after transferring in with a big arm and varsity experience. He is joined by 3B/RHP Will Vaughan (2027), the team’s best returning arm from last season, who also provides a steady presence at third base and pitches with a competitive edge. In the infield, INF Bronson Moore (2028) returns after an impressive freshman campaign in which he hit .322, handled the two-hole most of the season, and emerged as one of the team’s most clutch hitters. The underclass group adds further depth and upside. RHP Will Blackburn (2028) is expected to factor into the rotation and could work his way into a starting role, while 1B/LHP Landon Pickens (2028) brings a left-handed bat that consistently finds the barrel and could make his biggest impact offensively. UTL Reggie Jones (2029) provides additional athletic depth as roles continue to develop. Additional outfield depth comes from OF Braylon Towns (2027), a speed-oriented option who could push for a starting role, and OF Caleb Bailey (2027), who also contributes as a mid-80s arm on the mound.

Defense, team speed, and pitching depth define Hueytown’s identity heading into 2026. With multiple arms capable of throwing quality innings and a defense built to support them, the Golden Gophers expect to win games by limiting mistakes and applying pressure. As head coach Billy Chandler noted, “We have a big senior class that we are relying on to provide the leadership our team needs to be successful. We are once again playing a very competitive schedule that we expect will have us ready for anything we might see in the playoffs. We will need to win playing good defense and pitching it well.” With experience, leadership, and a championship pedigree, Hueytown enters the 2026 season ready to contend once again in Class 6A.

Find more information on the 2026 Hueytown High School program below:

+ Follow them on X or Facebook: @GoldenGopherBB | Hueytown High School Baseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2026 HS Team Previews

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