Football 2026 1A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

NORTH EAST CAROLINA PREP HUSKIES

HEAD COACH: Zane Rowland
CLASS: 1A
CONFERENCE: Eastern
2025 RECORD: N/A

2026 OUTLOOK: "I feel confident in our group and what we have been able to put together so far. I got here in January and began teaching them football-related things in my fourth block class for those that were in it. We had a successful spring, averaging 24 players, while sharing with other spring sports. I believe we will have around 30-35 players for year one of the program. I am very excited about the future of football at NECP."

2026 SCHEDULE

AUG 21st @ North Wake
AUG 28th TRIAD MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY
SEP 3rd @ Hobgood
SEP 11th BEAR GRASS CHARTER
SEP 18th @ Jones Senior
SEP 25th open
OCT 2nd SALLIE B HOWARD
OCT 9th @ Wilson Prep
OCT 16th @ Washington County
OCT 22nd NORTH EDGECOMBE
OCT 30th ROCKY MOUNT PREP

TOP PLAYERS: JR ROWLAND (QB) - All-Region. He passed for 2,197 yards with 18 touchdowns. "JR is a rising junior and my son and we are both from Georgia. He played in one of the toughest regions in the state and has 3 current offers including UNC-Pembroke." BRYCE SHIPMEN (WR, 6-1) - "Bryce is a talented wide receiver that also plays basketball. He has interest from Barton." ZYKEEUS HORNE (OL/DL, 6-2, 292) - "Zykeeus will be a great player for us. He has interest from Barton." JAYDEN AVENT (ATH) - "Jayden will play multiple positions for us. He is a fast, dynamic playmaker who has an offer from Louisburg College for track and field."

ROBBINSVILLE BLACK KNIGHTS

HEAD COACH: Lucas Ford
CLASS: 1A
CONFERENCE: Smoky Mountain
2025 RECORD: 10-4

2026 OUTLOOK: "We are excited to see what the season holds for this group. A very young group with a lot of great talent and work ethic. Great work in the off-season. Starting the build of that unity/Family bond with this group. Our goals remain the same year in year out; win SMC, Win NCHSAA 1A State Title. The standard never changes, Represent the program, our families, school and community with a product they can be proud of, Producing the next generation of great men! GO KNIGHTS!!"

2026 SCHEDULE:

Aug 21st @ Tuscola
Aug 28th @ Franklin
Sep 4th MOUNTAIN HERITAGE
Sep 11th @ Mitchell
Sep 18th @ Hayesville
Sep 25th @ Andrews
Oct 2nd @ Swain
Oct 9th MURPHY
Oct 16th ROSMAN
Oct 23rd open
Oct 30th CHEROKEE

SENIORS: CHRISTIAN KOELLER (OL/DL, 5-11, 230) - He had 32 tackles, 9 TFLS, and 5 sacks. TUCKER JONES (WR/DB, 6-2, 180) - He had 23 receptions for 280 yards with 4 touchdowns. On defense, he had 19 tackles. LUKE GREEN (FB/TE/LB, 5-11, 180) - He had 28 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.

JUNIORS: BENTON GIBBY (RB/LB, 5-8, 150) - All-Conference. He ran for 439 yards with 4 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 96 yards with a touchdown. On defense, he had 84 tackles and 2 interceptions. CAMERON ALLISON (ATH, 5-11, 175) - He ran for 250 yards with 2 touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 396 yards with 4 touchdowns. XAM WACHACHA (WR/QB.DB, 5-7, 160) - He had 43 tackles and 4 interceptions. ELI LAMBERT (WR/DB, 5-9, 160) - He had 8 receptions for 198 yards with 3 touchdowns. ELIJAH KIRKLAND (RB/LB, 5-10, 170) - He ran for 232 yards with 2 touchdowns. On defense, he had 36 tackles and an interception. BRAYDON LANE (RB/LB, 5-10, 180) - He had 18 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 TFLS. BRAYLON BLEVINS (QB/LB, 5-10, 180). LANDON POLLARD (OL/DL, 6-0, 220). LANDON ROSE (OL/DL, 5-11, 190). BRYAN HERNANDEZ (OL/DL, 5-10, 275). LANDON EDDINGS (OL/DL, 6-5, 285).

SOPHOMORES: CULLEN ROSE (OL/LB, 5-11, 165). MASON SILVERS (RB/DB, 6-0, 180). ZANDER LUCKSAVAGE (K, 5-10, 140) - He had 63 kicking points.

WILSON PREP TIGERS

HEAD COACH: Phillip Dickens
CLASS: 1A
CONFERENCE: Eastern Carolina
2025 RECORD: 9-5 (3-0)

2026 OUTLOOK: “After capturing the school’s first NCHSAA 1A state championship in December with a dramatic 9-8 win over Robbinsville, the Tigers enter the 2026 season as one of the program that everyone in 1A will be targeting. With a very strong non-conference schedule, the Tigers will be ready to make another run at a state title.”

2026 SCHEDULE

Aug 21st @ Clayton
Aug 28th WEST CRAVEN
Sep 4th @ Greene Central
Sep 11th @ Northeastern
Sep 18th @ Farmville Central
Sep 25th open
Oct 2nd WASHINGTON COUNTY
Oct 9th NORTH EAST CAROLINA PREP
Oct 16th @ Rocky Mount Prep
Oct 23rd @ Sallie B Howard
Oct 30th NORTH EDGECOMBE

SENIORS: TAQUAN WHITAKER (ATH, 5-10, 165, 4.5) - All-Conference. MALICAH PERRY (ATH, 5-10, 170, 4.5) - “Malicah can play anywhere.” JULIUS KENELY (RB/LB, 5-11, 178). KAMERON BEST (OL/DL, 6-2, 265) - “Kameron will anchor our offensive line.” BRYSON MCNEIL (QB/LB, 5-9, 175).

JUNIORS: JAYDEN JOHNSON (WR/CB, 6-0, 180). BRANDON BRUNO (WR/LB, 6-0, 178). JEREMIAH EVERETTE (WR/CB, 5-9, 160).

SOPHOMORES: SHIMAR WILLIAMS (WR/S, 5-10, 165) - All-Conference. ZALIK CANNADY (OL/DL, 6-2, 270) - Rival All-American Freshman. All-Conference. “Zalik was the Defensive MVP in the state title game.” SINCERE GIBSON (RB/DB, 5-10, 170, 4.5). KENAN HOWARD (OL/DL, 5-11, 250) - “Kenan is our best blocker.”

FRESHMEN: CHANEZ BARNES (WR/DB, 6-1, 170, 4.5) - “Chanez has big play potential.” TENILLE JONES (RB, 5-8, 165, 4.4) - “Tenille will start at running back.”

SOUTH DAVIDSON WILDCATS

HEAD COACH: David House
CLASS: 1A
CONFERENCE: Greater Piedmont
2025 RECORD: 11-2 (5-1)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We are hoping to continue the success we had last season. We lost some really great seniors. We have a good mix of older and younger guys coming back this season. Our guys coming back got great experience last year in the playoffs and we hope we can build off of that. Our team will be young in spots and will be tested early on to see what they can handle. If our older guys can lead the young guys and we stay injury free. We feel we can be competitive again this year.“

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21st @ Trinity
Aug. 28th BONNIE CONE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Sep. 4th @ Wheatmore
Sep. 11th EAST DAVIDSON
Sep. 18th BISHOP MCGUINNESS
Sep. 25th open
Oct. 2nd @ College of Prep & Leadership Academy
Oct. 9th @ Winston-Salem
Prep
Oct. 16th SOUTH STOKES
Oct. 23rd @ North Stokes
Oct. 30th CHATHAM CENTRAL

SENIORS: DUKE HOWELL (ATH, 5-10, 175) - All-Conference. He had over 1,000 total yards with 17 touchdowns. MYLES SCERCY (QB/DB, 5-9, 165) - He ran for 475 yards with 5 touchdowns. JAMES TAYLOR (TE/DE, 6-4, 205) - All-Conference. He had 48 tackles, 4 sacks, and 8 TFLS. GEORGE NILSEN (RB/LB, 6-0, 180) - He ran for over 800 yards with 9 touchdowns.

EAST COLUMBUS GATORS

HEAD COACH: Vinston Thorpe
CLASS: 1A
CONFERENCE: Carolina Conference 1
2025 RECORD: 3-9 (1-5)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We expect to take a significant step forward this season. Our players have embraced the standards we’ve established, and there’s excitement surrounding the program. While we’re focused on one day and one game at a time, our goal is to compete weekly, play meaningful football late in the season, and build a championship-caliber culture at East Columbus.”

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21st GREEN SEA FLOYD SC
Aug. 28th @ Trask
Sep 4th CHATHAM CENTRAL
Sep 11th @ Whiteville
Sep 18th HOBBTON
Sep 26th @ Union
Oct 2nd WEST COLUMBUS
Oct 9th @ East Bladen
Oct 16th open
Oct 23rd NORTH DUPLIN
Oct 30th @ Lakewood

SENIORS: DAWSON CROSBY (TE/LB, 6-2, 190). CHRISTIAN NORTON (RB/SS, 5-9, 170). JABRI DIXON (OL/DL, 6-4, 255). DEMTRIUS DEXTER (WR/DB, 6-0, 160). RYAN COBB (WR/LB, 6-2, 180) - “Ryan is a multi-sport athlete.”ELI WALKER (QB, 6-0, 170) - “Eli is a top 50 ranked baseball player in 1A.”

JUNIOR: JAIMEER HUDSON (ATH, 5-11, 165) - “Jaimeer was a track qualifier.”