Football 2026 3A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

Deana_King · May 27, 2026

PROVIDENCE GROVE PATRIOTS

HEAD COACH: Cody Moran
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Central Carolina Conference
2025 RECORD: 8-3

2026 OUTLOOK: "After capturing the first conference championship in school history, the Patriots enter 2026 with confidence, experience, and expectations at an all-time high. Providence Grove returns a veteran core on both sides of the ball and looks poised to once again compete for a Central Carolina Conference title. Providence Grove enters 2026 with the expectation to compete every Friday night and continue building on the most successful season in program history. The message around the program remains the same — RISE UP."

2026 SCHEDULE
AUG 21st RANDLEMAN
AUG 28th @ Morehead
SEP 4th SOUTHWESTERN RANDOLPH
SEP 11th @ Eastern Randolph
SEP 18th JORDAN-MATTHEWS
SEP 25th open
OCT 2nd WEST DAVIDSON
OCT 9th @ Trinity
OCT 16th @ East Davidson
OCT 23rd WHEATMORE
OCT 30th THOMASVILLE

SENIORS: NICK STRAUGHN (RB, 6-3, 200) - He ran 116 times for 706 yards. "Nick is the center of our offense who is coming off a breakout season. He is expected to be one of the most dynamic playmakers in the conference. Nick's best game came against Thomasville when he ran for 196 yards on 25 carries." LANDON FOX (QB) - "Landon has great leadership, experience, and command of the offense to give us stability and confidence heading into the fall." CONNER TOZER (WR) - "With Connor's connection with Landon on offense, we feel it will give us the ability to throw when needed." WYATT BRINKLEY (OL/DL) - "Wyatt will anchor the trenches and bring toughness and leadership to the offensive and defensive fronts. His physical play and experience will be critical as we look to continue to control the line of scrimmage."

JUNORS: CONNOR HAITHCOCK (LB) - Central Carolina Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He had 96 tackles, 6 sacks. 4 QB hurries, 4 interceptions returning one for a score, and 2 fumble recoveries returning on for a score. "Connor's speed, physicality, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses make him a key piece for our defense." CHASE COLLINS (LB) - "Chase is expected to take on a major role in the middle of the defense."

Deana_King · May 27, 2026

WALKERTOWN WOLFPACK

HEAD COACH: Tripp Honeycutt
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Mid-State 3A/4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 9-2

2026 OUTLOOK: "We have our top rusher back from the 2025 season, so I expect us to lean on the run game more-so than we did last fall. We graduated 23 seniors last fall but have a really solid group of seniors for this upcoming year as well as some underclassmen who will help us on Fridays. I expect us to be very competitive throughout the regular season and to be playing our best ball come playoff time."

2026 SCHEDULE

AUG 21st ATKINS
AUG 28th @ Parkland
SEP 4th WEST ROWAN
SEP 11th @ East Surry
SEP 18th REIDSVILLE
SEP 25th @ Rockingham County
OCT 2nd BARTLETT YANCEY
OCT 9th open
OCT 16th @ McMichael
OCT 23rd CARVER
OCT 30th MOREHEAD

SENIORS: NASIR CONRAD (RB, 6-0, 175) - He ran for over 1,000 yards. TYLER JONES (DB, 6-0, 170) - He had 3 interceptions. RAFAEL SOTO (OL/DL, 5-10, 255) - "Rafael started as a junior on the offensive line." ZACHARIAS SMITH (DE, 6-3, 200) - He had 33 tackles and 3.5 TFLS,

Deana_King · May 29, 2026

PATTON PANTHERS

HEAD COACH: Billy Whisenant
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Western Piedmont Athletic Conference
2025 RECORD: 1-9 (1-6)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We are looking to improve after only graduating 3 seniors from last year’s team. We return a young group, who have gotten experience from a year ago on varsity as freshman, sophomores, and juniors.”

2026 SCHEDULE

AUG 21st FREEDOM
AUG 28th Open
SEP 5th @ Owen
SEP 12th @ Polk County
SEP 19th EAST BURKE
SEP 26th @ Draughn
OCT 2nd RS CENTRAL
OCT 9th @ West Caldwell
OCT 16th @ East Rutherford
OCT 23rd @ Hibriten
OCT 30th CHASE

SENIORS: BRODY SUTTLES (OL/DL, 6’1, 220). All Conference. RIVER McCRARY (WR/DB, 5’10, 175). All Conference. ALEX RYAN (WR/DB, 5’8, 165). All Conference. JESUS PINA (DL, 6’1, 250).

JUNIORS: JETT CHATMAN (RB, 5’9, 170). All Conference. LANDRY DUVALL (WR, 6’2, 180). All Conference. CAYDEN WEBB (OL, 5’10, 230). All Conference. LOGAN WILLIAMS (TE/DL, 6’2, 200).

SOPHOMORES: LIAM SINGLETON (LB, 5’11, 165). BRAD GADDELL (OL, 6’1, 260)

Melissa_King · May 29, 2026

PRINCETON BULLDOGS

HEAD COACH: Travis Gaster
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Swine Valley
2025 RECORD: 7-5 (3-3)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We are returning a talented group of players including 7 starters on offense and 9 on defense.”

2026 SCHEDULE

AUG 21st @ Ayden Grifton
AUG 28th EAST DUPLIN
SEP 3rd @ Seaforth
SEP 11th NORTH JOHNTON
SEP 18th MIDWAY
SEP 25th open
OCT 2nd @ Wallace-Rose Hill
OCT 9th SPRING CREEK
OCT 16th GOLDSBORO
OCT 23rd @ James Kenan
OCT 30th @ Rosewood

SENIOR: CHANDLER JACKSON (LB, 5’10, 180, 4.9) He made 51 tackles.

JUNIOR: TEO McPHATTER (TB/QB/DB/PR/KR, 5’10,168, 4.5) HSOT All-State. He ran for 2,457 yards with 36 touchdowns, passed 326 yards with 8 touchdowns, and scored 196 points. On defense, he had 5 interceptions and returned a fumble 92 yards for a touchdown. As a returner, he had 756 return yards. ‘Teo is one of the best playmakers in the state on both sides of the ball. He runs a 3.94 shuttle.” JARRETT LEE (LB, 5’11,190, 4,78) He made 48 tackles.

Deana_King · May 30, 2026

WHEATMORE WARRIORS

HEAD COACH: Jacob Sheffield
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Central Carolina Conference

2025 RECORD: 3-9

2026 OUTLOOK: "We are returning many starters including 8 on offense, 6 on defense. We look to keep improving on the momentum found in the second half of the 2025 season."

2026 SCHEDULE

Aug 21st EAST ROWAN
Aug 28th @ Forbush
Sep 4th SOUTH DAVIDSON
Sep 11th @ Jordan Matthews
Sep 18th @ Southwestern Randolph
Sep 25th open
Oct 2nd @ Thomasville
Oct 9th EAST DAVIDSON
Oct 16th @ West Davidson
Oct. 23rd @ Providence Grove
Oct. 30th TRINITY

SENIORS: CONNOR BENTON (QB/DB, 6-1, 170) - All-Conference. "Connor is coming off a strong 2025 season where he was 10th in 3A in all-purpose yards and 11th in 3A in passing." KENNY HOOVER (WR/DB, 6-1, 155) - All-Conference. "Kenny was 17th in 3A in receptions."

JUNIORS: BENTLEY MILLS (WR/DB, 6-1, 180) - All-Conference. "Bentley was 18th in 3A in receptions." MADDOX RUSSO (OL/DL, 6-4, 275) - All-Conference. DELANO SAMUELSON (OL/DL, 5-11, 215) - All-Conference. NOAH WYRICK (OL/LB, 6-1, 205) - All-Conference.

Deana_King · Jun 6, 2026

SURRY CENTRAL GOLDEN EAGLES

HEAD COACH: Jamie Fortner
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Northwest 3A-4A Conference
2025 RECORD: 0-10 (0-5_

2026 OUTLOOK: "We are much improved from last year. We are excited about this coming season."

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21st ELKIN
Aug. 28th @ North Wilkes
Sep. 4th @ West Wilkes
Sep. 11th SOUTH STOKES
Sep. 18th TRINITY
Sep. 25th open
Oct. 2nd EAST SURRY
Oct. 9th @ Forbush
Oct. 16th @ North Surry
Oct. 23rd MOUNT AIRY
Oct. 30th @ West Stokes

SENIORS: MICAH WHITLEY (RB/LB, 5-10, 170) - HSOT All-Region. All-Conference. "Micah was an honorable mention all-conference player as a sophomore and has been invited to the Carolina Coaches Combine for the past 2 years." ADAM DEYAB (H-Back/TE/LB, 5-11, 175) - "Adam is coming off a great spring practice and has tremendous work ethics."

JUNIOR: CALEB CRUISE (RB, 5-11, 160) - "Caleb is strong, quick, and has a tremendous work ethic and competitiveness. He is coming off a great season last year."

Melissa_King · Jun 8, 2026

EAST SURRY CARDINALS

HEAD COACH: Caleb Pardue
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Northwest 3A/4A
2025 RECORD: 5-7 (3-2)

2026 OUTLOOK: “ We are excited for a chance to compete and win a couple of games”

2026 SCHEDULE:

AUG 21st @ Statesville
AUG 28th STARMOUNT
SEP 4th MURPHY
SEP 11th WALKERTOWN
SEP 18th @ North Forsyth
SEP 25th Open
OCT 2nd @ Surry Central
OCT 9th NORTH SURR
OCT 16th WEST STOKES
OCT 23rd @ Forbush
OCT 30th @ Mount Airy

SENIORS: JB DAVIS (QB). All-Conference. He completed 103 of 207 passes for 1,406 yards with 19 touchdowns and ran 502 yards with 7 touchdowns. “JB will be the catalyst for our offense”. NOLAN WITHERS (WR). “Nolan missed the 2025 season due to injuries but is looking ready to come back better than ever this year. He is a fast kid who qualified for Track Regionals this spring in the 4x200m, 200m, and 400m.” SAM FREEMAN (WR/DB). He had 2 interceptions last year. “ Sam is a returning starting safety. We are looking for him to have a huge year at Safety and WR.” AADEN WRIGHT (DL). “Aaden is a returning 3-year starter, who is looking to have a huge break out year this season, He has really worked this off season to get better in a lot of different ways.” BRETT MOSER (OL). “Brett is a returning starter who anchors the right side of the offensive line. He is a tall lengthy kid with a great pass set. Brett has an offer from Davidson.” IAN LEDESMA (OL). All-Conference. “Ian is a returning starter who plays left guard for us. He is a nasty run blocker and a huge anchor on the interior of the offensive line.” KNOX GALYEAN (OL). “Knox is a returning starter at center. He is a smart kid who understands our system and has a big body that just wears down the opponents throughout the game. Knox is great at making our calls and communicating across our entire offensive line.” ANDREW BOLES (OL). “Andrew is s returning starter who plays right guard for us. He is a little undersized but is a kid who wrestles and understands how to use his leverage and strength to put the opposing defensive lineman in positions they are not used to. Andrew is a gritty and determined kid who will not stop until the game is over.” TJ SAMPLES (TE/OL/DL). “TJ is a returning starting defensive lineman that has really grinded in the weight room this off season to get more explosive. He is looking to put together a really good year in the trenches.”

JUNIORS: NATE KIGER (RB). All-Conference. He had 1,848 all purpose yards including 1,309 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns. “Nate averaged 109.1 yards per game. We expect a big year from him if he can stay healthy.” JON HUTCHENS (RB). He ran for 759 yards and 6 touchdowns. “Jon averaged 63.3 yards per game. He has had a great off season and we expect him to be a difference maker for us.” NATHAN DIAMONT (LB). “Nathan is a returning inside linebacker from late last season who played a huge role in our success towards the end of our season as a Sophomore. He has worked hard in the weight room this off season as well as getting better with ball knowledge and understanding the game at a deeper level.” CHRISTIAN BUNTIN (LB). “Christian is a returning inside linebacker from late last season who played a huge role in our success towards the end of our season as a Sophomore. He has worked hard in the weight room this off season as well as getting better with ball knowledge and understanding the game at a deeper level.” JAYME GEORGE (QB/WR/LB/DB). “Jayme will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” CAM FOSTER (LB). “Cam will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” JAYDEN HESTER (OL/DL). “Jayden will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” CASEN MCGRAW (TE/OL/DL). “Casen will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.”

SOPHOMORES: WYATT ROBERTSON (WR/DB). “Wyatt will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.” ASHER DAWSON (DL). “Asher will be a great addition to our varsity roster and a lot of different starting roles. He should be a huge help in all 3 phases of the game.”

Melissa_King · Jun 11, 2026

MOUNTAIN HERITAGE COUGARS

HEAD COACH: Jered Pope
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Western Highlands
2025 RECORD: 10-2 (6-0)

2026 OUTLOOK: “The 2026 Cougars are looking to win 10 games for the fourth year in a row as well as the 4th straight WHC Championship. Early on we will have to rely on the experience we have coming back on offense as we are replacing all but 2 starters on Defense. If that side of the ball gels as and we stay healthy it looks to be another good year for the Cougars.”

2026 SCHEDULE:

AUG 21st @ Pisgah
AUG 28th ERWIN
SEP 4th @ Robbinsville
SEP 11th SWAIN COUNTY
SEP 18th Open
SEP 25th MADISON
OCT 2nd @ Polk County
OCT 9th AVERY
OCT 16th @ Mitchell
OCT 23rd HENDERSONVILLE
OCT 30th @ Owen

SENIORS: ERVINE RODRIQUEZ (RB/LB) - He ran 176 times for 1,250 yards with 14 touchdowns. BRAYDON DEYTON (QB) - He completed 40 passes for 769 yards with 19 passing touchdowns and ran 69 times for 540 yards with 7 touchdowns. FOSTER CALLOWAY (TE/DL) - He had 5 receptions for 92 yards with 3 touchdowns. On defense, he had 81 tackles, 11 TFLS, 1.5 sacks and 22 QB hurries. COOPER ROBISON (RB/DB). OWEN MEDLIN (WR/DB). JACKSON BANKS (RB/LB). AAYDEN HONEYCUTT.

JUNIORS: SHOOTER FOX (QB/RB/DB). JACOB MCPETERS (RB/LB). MAX WATTS (OL/DL). SALVADOR VELAZQUEZ (OL/LB). CONNOR BRINKLEY (OL/DL). ELI GURLEY (OL/DL).

SOPHOMORES: JAYDEN JONES (WR/DB) - “Jayden will be a top newcomer for us this year.” LEVI BRYANT (OL/DL) - “Levi will be a top newcomer for us this year.” COLTON BRINKLEY (RB/DB) - “Colton will be a top newcomer for us this year.” TYSON NORTON (RB/LB) - “Tyson will be a top newcomer for us this year.”

Deana_King · Jun 15, 2026

AYDEN-GRIFTON CHARGERS

HEAD COACH: Garrett Wingate
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Eastern Plains 2A/3A
2025 RECORD: 8-5 (3-2)

2026 OUTLOOK: “Expectations remain high in Ayden as the Chargers enter the 2026 season looking to continue one of the area's most successful runs of football. Ayden-Grifton captured a conference championship in 2024, followed that up with a second-place conference finish in 2025, and advanced to the third round of the NCHSAA playoffs in both seasons. That recent success has established a winning culture, but the 2026 team will face a new challenge: replacing a large senior class while maintaining its place among the top programs in Eastern North Carolina. The Chargers graduated 14 seniors from last year's squad and must replace six starters on both offense and defense. While that level of turnover would concern most programs, Ayden-Grifton has developed quality depth and will once again expect to field a competitive football team. One factor working in the Chargers' favor is that many of the conference's top contenders also suffered significant graduation losses. As a result, the conference race could be more balanced than it has been in recent years. While Ayden-Grifton may enter the season with several question marks, the opportunity remains there for the Chargers to compete for another conference title. The non-conference schedule appears to be challenging and should provide an early test
for a relatively inexperienced roster. Those games will give younger players valuable experience before conference play begins and could help determine how quickly the team
develops throughout the season.
The biggest questions entering the year are at quarterback and along the defensive line. Replacing leadership and production at quarterback is never easy, and the Chargers will need someone to emerge as a consistent playmaker and decision-maker. Up front defensively, Ayden-Grifton must replace several key contributors and find players capable of controlling the line of scrimmage against both the run and pass. For the Chargers to make another deep playoff run, several new faces will need to step into larger roles. Developing depth, finding answers at quarterback, and rebuilding the defensive front will be critical factors in determining the team's ceiling. Even with the graduation losses, there is little reason to believe Ayden-Grifton will take a major step backward. The program has proven it can reload, and the foundation established over the past two seasons remains strong. If the Chargers can answer their key personnel questions early in the year, they have the potential to be one of the conference's top teams once again and contend for another postseason run in 2026.”

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21st PRINCETON
Aug. 28th @ North Pitt
Sep. 4th @ Fike
Sep. 11th NORTH LENOIR
Sep. 18th DH CONLEY
Sep. 25th open
Oct. 2nd @ Kinston
Oct. 9th @ Beddingfield
Oct. 16th GREENE CENTRAL
Oct. 23rd @ Tarboro
Oct. 30th FARMVILLE CENTRAL

SENIORS: LARRY “ANDRE” GRIER (FS, 5-11, 165, 4.38) - All-Conference. “Larry was the top DB at the Carolinas Combine and runs a 3.98 shuttle. He has college interest from East Carolina and Old Dominion.” WILL DOE (OT, 6-3, 345) - All-Conference. “Will has interest at the Shrine Bowl Combine for the Shrine Bowl. He has recruiting interest from East Carolina, Gardner-Webb, and Old Dominion.”

JUNIOR: BRANDON PRAYER (LB) - All-Conference.

Deana_King · Jun 27, 2026

NORTHEASTERN EAGLES

HEAD COACH: Antonio Moore
CLASS: 3A
CONFERENCE: Northeastern Coastal 3A/4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 9-4 (3-2)

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug 21st BERTIE
Aug 28th @ DH Conley
Sep 4th @ Holmes
Sep 11th WILSON PREP
Sep 18th @ Vance County
Sep 25th open
Oct 2nd CURRITUCK
Oct 9th @ First Flight
Oct 16th @ Hertford County
Oct 23rd MARTIN COUNTY
Oct 30th PASQUOTANK

SENIORS: ZAK ISHMAN (QB) - He passed for 3,233 yards with 36 touchdowns last year. “Zak has multiple college offers.” AYDEN HOLLEY (WR) - He had 23 receptions for 388 yards with 6 touchdowns. “Ayden has multiple college offers.” MEEKHEI WILLIAMS (DT) - “Meekhei has multiple college offers.” DAMARI MCNEIL (RB) - He ran for 809 yards with 7 touchdowns. “Damari has multiple college offers.” JAMARI DOUGLAS (OL) - “Jamari has multiple college offers.”

JUNIOR: TEVAUGHAN BELL (WR) - He had 305 receiving yards with 7 touchdowns. Verbally committed to NC State.

Football 2026 3A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

Deana_King

All-Conference

Deana_King

All-Conference

Deana_King

All-Conference

Melissa_King

Redshirt

Deana_King

All-Conference

Deana_King

All-Conference

Melissa_King

Redshirt

Melissa_King

Redshirt

Deana_King

All-Conference

Deana_King

All-Conference