DeLand Suns Look for Resurgence in 2026

With the first slate of games on the horizon, the DeLand Suns are ready to take the field. With a new lineup and a new head coach, the Suns hope this is the year they can claim their first FCSL title since 2018.

The Suns' last winning season came in 2024, the team's only winning season in the past five years. DeLand appeared in the championship series that season but ultimately was unable to take home the title. Coach Stephen Piercefield has taken over the Suns this season and is confident he can bring the third championship in team history to DeLand.

Piercefield previously won championships with Clermont (2008) and Sanford (2011) and feels the pressure to win in DeLand.

"The pressure is now on DeLand to get its third championship," Piercefield said, "and personally for me to get my third championship."

The Suns bring back Gavin Thomas (Davidson) and Shane Thomas (Undecided) and hope that pairing these returners with an exciting lineup of new players will prove successful for DeLand. Along with a large contingent of native Floridians, the Suns will roster players from Alabama, California, Georgia, Indiana, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.

"It's a really good group of kids with an incredible amount of talent," Piercefield commented. "When that gets blended together, special things are going to happen."

The Suns will open the season on the road against Winter Garden on Friday, May 29, at 6:00 p.m. They will host their home opener at Conrad Park on Saturday, May 30, against Winter Garden.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi College)