In 2025, Eastside had an undeniably dominant season, going 9-3 and finishing 3-0 in district play to ultimately finish first in 3A District 5.  

With the loss of a massive senior class, including Kentucky quarterback Nelson Tambling and running back duo Javaris Gardner and Kamaryion Mack, the Rams feel they’re Alachua County’s “little brother” of high school football. 

Now, with a younger roster, that chip on the shoulder will be tested and the 2026 season will determine whether it becomes a burden — or the thing that carries Eastside, which opens the schedule on Aug. 21 against Fort White. 

“No call or referee is ever going to be on our side; we have to do it ourselves,” junior quarterback Cadon Sutherland said. “No one’s going to hand us the win.”

Part of that comes from Gainesville’s football landscape. Buchholz has long been considered the aristocracy of Class 3A District football programs, with advantages in resources, support and attention. 

From Eastside’s perspective, the rivalry represents a challenge to a hierarchy in which Buchholz has been deemed “superior.” 

“The people in the stands, if I’m being honest with you, 50 percent of them want to see you win, 50 percent want to see you lose,” Rams coach Harold Hoskins said. “Coming from the Eastside of town … nobody’s going to be rooting for you.”

For Eastside, few better represent how to channel that underdog mentality into success than their own coach. Hoskins was one of Eastside’s earliest big-name prospects, playing as tight end at Marshall University for three years before eventually playing in the NFL for one season. Using that blueprint of how to get to the top, Hoskins is focused on his returning players and refusing to call this season a rebuilding year. 

“We’re going to be young, but we have a lot of experience,” Hoskins said. “A lot of these guys have been playing since they were freshmen, so they’re going to be ready. They’re already battle-tested.”

Hoskins pointed to Sutherland, cornerback Malicah Williams, ATH Ja’Marian Reaves and running back Braeden Brockington as players ready to take on larger roles. Brockington, in particular, has caught the coach’s attention in the offseason after attending camps at Florida State, Mercer, Florida and Georgia Tech. 

“Brockington’s surprised me,” Hoskins said. “He went to some camps, so I’m expecting some big things from him this season.”

The bigger question may be whether the younger players can replace the leadership of last year’s seniors on the field and in the locker room. One player embracing this newfound leadership is Sutherland, who knows more than anyone that his teammates are leaning on him. 

“You have to be that look for the guys because when the game’s on the line, everyone’s looking at you,” Sutherland said. “Win or loss, the QB’s going to be the first thing talked about.”

Sutherland’s path to leadership hasn’t been straightforward. After breaking two fingers in eight months, he learned patience and how to move past disappointment in a difficult freshman season.

“Everything’s not promised,” Sutherland said. “Each day, you have to go through the trials and tribulations.” 

For Eastside, the chip on its shoulder only matters if it turns into production. Hoskins believes discipline and consistency must improve from last season, pointing to discipline as the reason for the team’s three losses against Buchholz (29-19), Bradford (28-7) and Bishop Moore (36-8). The challenge will be even greater with a schedule that leaves little room to look ahead. The biggest matchups include Buchholz, Bradford and North Marion.  

“Every game’s a big game because it’s the next game,” Hoskins said. “We don’t overlook anyone. We respect all and fear none.”

That includes Buchholz.

“They’re important; we want to establish ourselves fast,” Hoskins said. “We’re not writing W’s on the schedule. You have to face the game. You focus so much on Buchholz, you slip the first one, and now you’re 0-2.”

As the Rams gear up for the 2026 season, they return to a winning mindset with a younger squad to uphold it. The seniors who established the foundation are gone, but the younger guys have inherited it. 

As for the next step, the answer is simple. 

“Play hard, play fast, play physical. Play Rams football,” Hoskins said.