Navy vs VMI Pregame Photos

Pregame photos from the Mids’ game vs VMI on August 30, 2025, as seen through the lens of staff photographer Alison Althouse.

Navy Senior Blake Horvath, #11, QB from Hilliard OH

Navy sophomores Toran Smith, #63, Center from Edmond OK and Robert “Tre” Jones III, #2, QB from Plainfield IL

Navy junior Gage Leonard, #29, SB from Chatsworth GA and freshman Jordan Collins, #36, TE from Rock Hill SC

Navy Senior Liam Barbie, #51, LB from Stanfield NC

Navy sophomore Mikey Pearson III, #33, RB from Middletown DE

Navy sophomore Chris Herock, #64, NG from Cumming GA

Navy junior Coleman Cauley, #58, LB from Macon GA

Navy Senior Brandon Chatman, #24, SB from Fort Lauderdale FL

Navy sophomore Michael Barrow, #26, SB from Grand Prairie, TX

Navy Senior Eli Heidenreich, #22, SB from Pittsburgh PA

Navy junior Hoke Smith II, #79, OG from Birmingham AL

Navy Senior Alex Tecza, #46, RB from Pittsburgh PA

Navy Senior Shane Reynolds, #37, RB from Glen Mills PA

Navy junior Conner Lessane, #22, OLB from Lewisville NC

Navy sophomore Justin Ross, #17, CB from Gastonia NC

Navy sophomore Jai Huntley, #31, RB from Knoxville TN

Navy junior Kush’I Abraham, #7, S from Cincinnati OH

Navy junior Carson de Avila, #24, S from Newport Beach, CA

Navy junior Matthew Selina, #5, S from Cincinnati OH

Navy junior Giuseppe Sessi, #16, S from San Antonio TX

Navy sophomore Xavyer Arrington, #94, NG from Vero Beach, FL

Navy junior Ira Oniha, #3, CB from Silver Spring MD

Navy Senior Ben Purvis, #68, OG from Goddard KS

Navy sophomore Jake Polito, #70, C from Somers NY

Navy junior Braxton Woodson, #5, QB from Altamonte Springs FL

Navy sophomore Jackson Gutierrez, #8, QB from San Antonio TX

Navy sophomore Julien Moutome, #90, DE from Windsor Mill MD

Navy junior Gavin Woods, #50, OLB from Bulverde TX

The Spirit Button for the Navy/VMI game

Navy junior Matthew Reyes, #97, DT from Friendswood TX

Navy freshman Justin Welch, #95, K from Irmo SC

Navy mascots, Bill the Goat XXXVIII (L) and Bill the GOAT XXXIX (R), enter the field ahead of the brigade.

The Brigade of Midshipmen, with 5th company shown in this photo, march onto the field for the pre-game festivities.

Seen as they approach the field are four aircraft from VMFA-251. VMFA-251, the “Thunderbolts” or “T-Bolts”, is a US Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II Squadron reactivated at MCAS Cherry Point NC in December 2024 as the first East Coast-based Marine Corps F-35C squadron.

The four F-35C aircraft complete their flyover.

Navy’s Senior game-day captains head to the coin toss. L-R: #96 Landon Robinson, a NG from Fairlawn OH; #68 Ben Purvis, an OG from Goddard KS; #11 Blake Horvath, a QB from Hilliard OH; and #13 Andrew Duart, a S from Chesterfield VA.

Navy’s Alex Tecza, #46, carries the Marine Corps flag.

Navy’s Kenneth McShan, #0, carries the American flag.

Navy’s Jaxson Campbell, #14, carries the Navy flag.

The three senior flag bearers lead the rest of the Navy team as they take the field for the Navy/VMI game.

Captains from both Navy and VMI meet for the coin toss. Navy wins the toss and defers. VMI will receive. Navy will defend the South End Zone.