Highlanders Announce The Clan Challenge for the 2026 Season

DUNEDIN, FLORIDA, USA - The Dunedin Highlanders have announced the upcoming Clan Challenge, which begins Official Team Activities for the 2026 season. The event will be on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at the 31st Street Sports Complex - Field #1 (4801 31st St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712). Registration will begin at 7:30pm with the event starting promptly at 8:00pm. The Registration Fee is $20. Players must be a minimum of 18 years old. Players are to wear black shorts, socks, cleats, gloves, and mouth guard. Kilts are optional. 

“This season, The Highlanders will add to a select number of core players, focusing on getting younger as a team”, said Highlanders General Manager Chris Housholder. “While we had some talent last season, the former General Manager built a roster of mostly older players. Our core philosophy is rooted in helping young men who want to move up to college or pro football. This involves focusing on younger players who are passionate and hungry for success”, Housholder said. 

The Dunedin Highlanders were founded in 2024 and competed in the Elite American Football League (EAFL) during their inaugural season in 2025, finishing with a record of 8 wins and 4 losses. The Highlanders advanced the second round of the playoffs, where they lost 26-20 to the eventual AA Champions. The Highlanders have committed the Universal Football League Xtreme (UFLX) for the 2026 season. The UFLX is a new statewide league in Florida, who has drawn a lot of interest from around the state of Florida. The UFLX also has announced their exclusive broadcast partnership with Varsity Sports Nation (VSN), who will live stream all UFLX games throughout the 2026 season. 

“We have one of the best game day experiences at this level of football. Our goal is to be a top tier team in the UFLX, and compete for the league championship”, said Chief of The Highlanders Clan Steve Korossy. Our ideal player is the type of person who is a passionate team player excited about doing their part to elevate the organization, to including community involvement and positive interactions with our Highlanders fans”, Korossy said. 

The Highlanders Senior Leadership Team is excited about Season 2. New Head Coach Darien Bell is leading The Highlanders on the field this season. He is a St. Pete native, who was a standout athlete at Tuskegee University. He also played and coached pro football overseas. Additionally, Coach Bell is a small business owner and has a Masters degree in Business Administration. “Coach Bell demands excellence in all facets of the game of football, and life, and he knows what it takes to motivate young men”, said Housholder. 

If you are at least 18 years old and want to play for a structured organization, The Dunedin Highlanders may be the team for you. The team calls Freedom Field at Dunedin Memorial Stadium their home and has great support from the Dunedin community. The UFLX regular season kicks off in February 2026. 

Interested players are encouraged to attend The Clan Challenge on September 6th and meet Coach Bell in person. “We are building the reimagined Highlanders brick-by-brick”, Korossy said. If you doubt The Highlanders, make plans to be disappointed. 

Find more information on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at #HighlandersFB and at their website www.HighlandersFB.com