Football 2026 5A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY COUGARS

HEAD COACH: Doug Robertson
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Mid-State 3-A, 4-A, 5-A
2025 RECORD: 5-5

2026 OUTLOOK: "We have 7 of our top 8 OL back from last year. We have 2 wide receivers back. We have to replace our QB and RB’s. On defense, we return 5 starters and will need to replace all of our linebackers. We also need to replace our long snapper, punter and placekicker."

2026 SCHEDULE

Aug 21st SOUTHWEST GUILFORD
Aug 28th @ Magna Vista VA
Sep 3rd WESTERN ALAMANCE
Sep 11th @ Asheboro
Sep 18th @ McMichael
Sep 25th WALKERTOWN
Oct. 2nd @ Reidsville
Oct. 9th @ Bartlett Yancey
Oct. 16th CARVER
Oct 23rd MOREHEAD
Oct. 30th open

SENIORS: JAMES THOMAS (WR/DB, 5-11, 180). GAGE EDWARDS (OL/DL, 6-0, 260). NOAH ISLEY (RB/SS, 5-10, 160). ZACH CASE (OL, 6-4, 325). JAYLEN ADAMS (WR/LB, 6-0, 175).

JUNIORS: TRE TAYLOR (OL/DL, 6-2, 230). JAYDEN MALETICH (QB/LB, 5-10, 165). DAVIS TURNER (OL, 6-5, 300). BLANCE GARRETT (WR/LB, 6-1, 175).

SOPHOMORE: ZAYLEN HARGROVE (RB/DE, 6-0, 200).

SOUTH BRUNSWICK COUGARS

HEAD COACH: Daniel Yow
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Southeastern 3A/4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 7-4

2026 OUTLOOK: "After sharing the conference championship last season, our goal for 2026 is to leave no doubt and become undisputed champions. We lost some key seniors who helped set the standard, but we are excited about the young players ready to step up and make an early impact. This group has talent, hunger, and something to prove."

2026 SCHEDULE:

Aug 21st WEST BRUNSWICK
Aug 28th NORTH BRUNSWICK
Sep 4th TRASK
Sep 11th RICHLANDS
Sep 18th @ Purnell Swett
Sep 25th open
Oct 2nd @ Red Springs
Oct 9th WHITEVILLE
Oct 16th SOUTH COLUMBUS
Oct 23rd @ Fairmont
Oct 30th @ West Bladen

SENIORS: AMERIIUS REVELS (RB, 5-10, 185) - All-Conference. He ran for 1,356 yards with 9 touchdowns. NATHAN EARLEY (LB, 6-0, 210) - All-Conference. He had 138 tackles, a sack, and 2 forced fumbles. DANIEL CROSSMAN (DE, 6-4, 240) - He made 38 tackles, 16 TFLS, and 4 sacks.

JUNIOR: EDWARD YOUNG (WR, 6-1, 180) - All-Conference. He had 38 receptions for 865 yards with 13 touchdowns.

EAST LINCOLN MUSTANGS

HEAD COACH: David Lubowicz
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Western Foothills 4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 10-2 (7-1)

2026 OUTLOOK: "We need to replace 4 graduating offensive linemen, our QB, and RB offensively. We return 3 of our 4 receivers. We will be young offensively, but the potential to be great is definitely there. Defensively, we return 8 starters and will have to lean heavily on that unit early in the year."

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21st @ South Iredell
Aug. 28th @ Providence
Sep. 5th @ Newton Conover
Sep. 12th @ Bandys
Sep. 19th NORTH LINCOLN
Sep. 26th BUNKER HILL
Oct. 2nd @ West Iredell
Oct. 9th FT FOARD
Oct. 16th @ Hickory
Oct. 23rd MAIDEN
Oct. 30th open

SENIORS: JAXON DOLLAR (WR/TE/ATH, 6-5, 235) - Verbally committed to Georgia. TYSON MAGGS (WR/DB, 5-10, 185) - All-Conference. DAVIS BEAM (WR/DB, 5-10, 170) - All-Conference. COOPER HARPSTER (LB, 5-10, 200) - All-Conference.

JUNIOR: JACOBY HUNT (RB, 5-11, 180).

JF WEBB WARRIORS

HEAD COACH: Keionte' Gainey
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Big Seven 4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 7-4

2026 OUTLOOK: "The Warriors are coming off their first conference championship since 2007."

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug 21st WESTERN HARNETT
Aug 28th @ Warren County
Sep 4th BUNN
Sep 11th @ Morehead
Sep 18th open
Sep 25th @ NW Halifax
Oct 2nd @ Carrboro
Oct. 9th ORANGE
Oct. 16th CEDAR RIDGE
Oct 23rd @ Seaforth
Oct 30th SOUTH GRANVILLE

TOP PLAYERS: JAYLEN GILL (DE) - He had 63 tackles, 21 TFLS, and 11 sacks. DANIEL WRIGHT (QB/DB) - He completed 74 of 136 passes for 1,480 yards with 9 touchdowns. On defense, he had 44 tackles. KAYLIN THORPE (WR/DB) - He caught 28 passes for 679 yards. ELIJAH THORPE (ATH). ALIJAH KINTON (ATH). ZION THORNTON (ATH). DWAYNE TAYLOR (ATH). DONOVAN YANCEY (ATH).

NORTH LINCOLN KNIGHTS

HEAD COACH: Brad Baker
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Western Foothills 4A/5A
2025 RECORD: 2-9 (1-7)

2026 OUTLOOK: “North Lincoln returns a solid foundation on both sides of the ball. With 27 seniors leading the way, the Knights look to use that experience to provide some
stability in the program. Expectations are high inside the program and should field a very competitive team.”

2026 SCHEDULE

Aug. 21st @ West Lincoln
Aug. 28th @ Lincolnton
Sep. 4th MAIDEN
Sep. 11th WEST IREDELL
Sep. 18th @ East Lincoln
Sep. 25th @ Hickory
Oct. 2nd NEWTON-CONOVER
Oct. 9th @ Bandys
Oct. 16th open
Oct. 23rd BUNKER HILL
Oct. 30th @ FT Foard

SENIORS: LANDEN AGEE (RB/DB, 5-10, 185) - All-Conference. He ran for over 1,400 yards with 16 touchdowns. “Landen has an offer from Cornell.” JAXSON ROSS (OL/DL, 6-0, 215) - “Jaxson is returning lineman.” GARRETT SIPE (OL/DL, 5-10, 200) - “Garrett is a returning lineman.” JACKSON FREEMAN (OL/DL, 6-2, 225) - “Jackson is a returning lineman.” ANGEL OUTLAW (OL/DL, 5-10, 230) - “Angel is a returning lineman.” PRESTAN JONES (DL, 6-2, 260) - “Prestan is a returning defensive lineman.” BLEY PHILLIPS (QB/DB, 5-7, 140) - “Bley is the returning team leader is tackles.” ANTHONY ELBERTI (RB/LB, 5-9, 160) - “Anthony is a returning starter on defense.” LOGAN ROGERS (RB/LB, 6-0, 185) - “Logan is a returning starter on both sides of the ball.” JONATHAN FABIANO (WR/DB, 5-11, 165) - “Jonathan is a returning starter at wide receiver.” MASON LAFFERTY-BOYER (RB/DB, 5-10, 155) - “Mason is a returning starter at defensive back.”

SOPHOMORE: EASTON LUSK (QB, 5-11, 175) - “Easton starter 4 games at quarterback as a freshman.”

FOREST HILLS YELLOW JACKETS

HEAD COACH: Gregg Giddings
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Rocky River 5A/6A
2025 RECORD: 9-3 (3-2)

2026 OUTLOOK: “Forest Hills enters the 2026 season with a young roster, but one led by a strong group of seniors who have done an outstanding job guiding the team through a period of transition. We are an athletic group that has been making significant strides in the offseason lifting and conditioning program. With a late coaching change, the players and coaches have faced challenges of learning a new system and expectation on an accelerated timeline, Despite that, the players have embraced the process and continued to improve each day. While there is still a lot to learn, the combination of strong leadership and a gritty hardworking culture have created excitement about the direction of Forest Hills heading into the season.”

2026 SCHEDULE:
Aug 21st @ Salisbury
Aug 28th @ Fairmont
Sep 4th TBD
Sep 11th CUTHBERTSON
Sep 18th @ Hoke County
Sep 25th open
Oct 2nd @ Mount Pleasant
Oct 9th PARKWOOD
Oct 16th @ West Stanly
Oct 23rd ANSON COUNTY
Oct 30th MONROE

TOP PLAYERS: CHRIS BAKER (RB/LB). KAI PHINAZEE (OL/DL). BRANDON FINCHER (WR/DE). LANDON BLAKENEY (WR/DB). NOAH FURR (QB). XZE’VIEON BREWER (DB).

NORTH DAVIDSON BLACK KNIGHTS

HEAD COACH: Cody Bowman
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Piedmont Triad 5A/6A
2025 RECORD: 7-5 (3-2)

2026 OUTLOOK: “North Davidson returns a great group of players from last year, including our leading rusher, Dominik Stamatien, and our leading receiver, Colte Fischer. As well as the conference DPOY, Hunter Bishop. We have a good senior class that has been a strong part of our preparation this off season as far as setting the tone. Looking forward to us having a competitive regular season with a chance to compete for the conference title and get after it in the playoffs.”

2026 SCHEDULE

Schedule:
Aug 21st @ West Stokes
Aug 28th @ Lexington
Sept 4th @ Ledford
Sept 11th @ Central Davidson
Sept 18th DAVIE COUNTY
Oct 2nd MOUNT TABOR
Oct 9th @ Glenn
Oct 16th ATKINS
Oct 23rd @ North Forsyth
Oct 30th OAK GROVE

SENIORS: DOMINIK STAMATIEN (RB) - He ran for over 600 yards in 5 games after a season-ending injury. COLTE FISCHER (WR/FS) - All-Conference. LINCOLN DAVIS (OL/DL) - All-Conference. ZACK KNOTT (DL) - All-Conference. CHRISTIAN VENCES (OL/DL). C.J. MORGAN (ATH). AHMAD WILKIE (WR/DB).

JUNIOR: HUNTER BISHOP (LB) - Piedmont Triad 5A/6A Defensive Player of the Year.

HAVELOCK RAMS

HEAD COACH: Brent Wooten
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Coastal
2025 RECORD: 7-6 (5-1)

2026 OUTLOOK: “The Rams return the majority of their starters on offense and defense. Rising sophomore QB Kaleb Montanye and RB Lloyd Jones will lead an offense that returns 4 starters upfront. Defensively, Andrew Williams and Dequarius Dunlap will provide experience and leadership at linebacker.”

2026 SCHEDULE
Aug 21st @ West Craven
Aug 28th NEW BERN
Sep 4th @ Tarboro
Sep 11th @ JH Rose
Sep 18th RICHLANDS
Sep 25th CROATAN
Oct 2nd @ West Carteret
Oct 9th @ Dixon
Oct 16th SWANSBORO
Oct 23rd open
Oct 30th @ Northside-Jax

SENIORS: MICHAEL GATLING (WR/DB) - “Michael has an offer from Richmond.” ELI MAHER (OL, 6-3, 245). DEQUARIUS DUNLAP (LB, 5-11, 200) - All-Conference.

JUNIORS: ANDREW WILLIAMS (LB, 5-10, 185) - All-Conference. AUSTIN LIVINGSTON (WR, 5-8, 145) - “Austin ran a 4.36 at ECU camp.” NEHEMIAH MARTIN (OL, 6-7, 320).

SOPHOMORES: LLOYD JONES (RB, 6-1, 190) - All-Conference. KALEB MONTANYE (QB, 5-10, 175).