For Lafayette High School in Oxford, Mississippi, the decision to change its sideline replay system came down to something simple: reliability on game night.

The Commodores began exploring SkyCoach Replay in May, purchased their system in July and completed training in August ahead of the 2026 football season. Lafayette’s setup incorporates two angles — a Hudl Focus camera and a tethered end zone drone system from AeroMast — giving coaches multiple angles delivered directly to their iPads through SkyCoach.

After their first Friday night using the system, Lafayette offensive line coach Jake Faust didn’t need much time to decide whether the change was worthwhile.

“We finally made the switch to SkyCoach this season. Last night was our first go with it. My advice — make the switch! Best thing we’ve ever done. Easy setup, and NO missed clips or lost connection AT ALL.”

FINDING THE RIGHT REPLAY SYSTEM

Lafayette’s move to SkyCoach involved research.

Head coach Anthony Hart gave Faust the opportunity to look into multiple replay options and determine which system would best fit the program. Hart was already familiar with SkyCoach from his time at Madison Central High School in Mississippi, which also uses SkyCoach.

Faust researched and compared several of the major replay options before narrowing the decision to SkyCoach and GameStrat.

One of the biggest factors separating SkyCoach was the simplicity of the overall system.

“At the end of the day what really sold me with you guys over GameStrat was the fact that you guys supply pretty much everything and we would not have to supply our own computer,” Faust said.

While both SkyCoach and GameStrat provide sideline replay, the systems take different approaches on game night. GameStrat requires a specific type of laptop, while SkyCoach is built around a simple, iPad-based workflow with no laptop required — giving teams the flexibility to use their existing compatible cameras and add as many replay angles as they need. In-game tagging and data tools, AI Data Assist, equipment insurance, training and support are also included, all without requiring teams to sign a multi-year contract.

FROM TRAINING TO FRIDAY NIGHT

After purchasing in July, Lafayette trained with the SkyCoach team in August and prepared its two-angle setup for the season.

Then came the real test: Friday night.

“We had ZERO issues and setup was a breeze,” Faust said after Lafayette’s first game with SkyCoach. “Hats off to you guys for a great product that actually works!”

The experience gave Lafayette exactly what it had been looking for — a replay system that coaches could set up, connect and trust once the game started.

Faust’s confidence in the system was reinforced by what happened on the opposite sideline that night. Lafayette’s preseason opponent, New Albany High School, was dealing with Hudl Sideline replay problems of its own.

“Their coach told me after the game they got ZERO clips,” Faust said. “They actually ordered y’all’s last week and are waiting for it to arrive. Their head coach was relieved to know we had no issues with SkyCoach!”

RELIABLE REPLAY, WITHOUT OVERCOMPLICATING GAME NIGHT

For Lafayette, making the switch wasn’t about adding more technology to the sideline. It was about making the technology coaches already depend on simpler and more reliable.

From a demo in May to purchasing in July, training in August and a successful first Friday night, Lafayette’s experience shows how quickly a program can transition to SkyCoach — even while incorporating technology such as Hudl Focus and drone video into its workflow.

And after one game, Faust’s message to other coaches considering a change was pretty clear:

“My advice — make the switch!”