2026 High School Team Preview: Northgate Vikings

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 Georgia.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the GHSA or GIAA state playoffs, 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 Georgia. 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 GHSA classification and Power 25.

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 GHSA 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: Northgate Vikings
Head Coach: Jamie Sexton
Classification: GHSA Class 5A
Region: 3-5A
2025 Record (Finish): 24-10, Sweet 16
Returning starters: 6
Team Strengths: Returning all of pitching staff and some new players will have to step up.

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS 

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

TEAM OUTLOOK

Last season marked the first time the Vikings hosted a playoff game and won in the first round of playoffs. They will look to take the next step and compete for a region title and so forth in the playoffs behind a stout pitching staff. Fellow uncommitted upperclassmen including 2026 RHP/1B Sam Marvin and SS/RHP Samuel Lowe pace this club. Marvin is armed with pitchability on the mound in the low-mid 80’s and physicality in the box with a quality hit tool. High-floor tools litter the profile for Lowe as he leads the way in the lineup with a strong hit/speed combo and lives in the upper 80’s as a fixture in the rotation. 2028 LHP Gabe Bowne is coming off a strong freshman campaign and aims to take the next step in leading the staff. Bowne boasts tons of upside in a lean 6-foot-2 frame with stuff to match. Senior 3B/RHP Justin Cosme will be a major source of power in the middle-of-the-order as well as offering value on the mound. More two-way value comes from 2026 2B/RHP Max Threlkeld who put together a strong season as a high-leverage arm out of the pen and looks to make an impact in the lineup as well. Senior leadership comes by the way of OF Reese Cluff who provides present bat-to-ball skills and a speed threat to the offense. Senior OF Tommy McKinnon will look to bring consistency and fortify the depth of the lineup. Transfer addition C Tristan Jordan looks to make an immediate impact in a potential everyday role as he has consistently performed in our looks over the years. Senior RHP Ethan Crisp returns from injury as he lives in the mid 80’s with much more to project in a physical 6-foot-3 frame and bolsters the pen. Junior RHP/MIF Drake McDowell operates in the mid 80’s with plenty of upside and has a chance to make an impact in the lineup as well. 2027 RHP Luke Dickerson holds strong projection in a wiry 6-foot-4 frame and strengthens the depth of the bullpen. Sophomore OF Turner Houston got his feet wet at the varsity level last season and will look to take on an everyday role this year. 2028 OF Ledger Clements is a strong bat that saw some opportunities a season ago and has a chance to carve out a quality role. This is a deep roster that aims for a region title in a competitive region with the likes of Newnan and McIntosh, and Coach Sexton will have this group ready to roll on February 10th.

Find more information on the 2026 Northgate program below:

+ Follow them on X: @VikingBseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Georgia, 2026 Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL GEORGIA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Georgia on X
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Georgia on Facebook
+ Podcast: Peach Fuzz on YouTube

UPCOMING EVENTS