Football 2026 5A FOOTBALL PREVIEWS

[Deana_King]

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).

 

[Deana_King]

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.

 

[Deana_King]

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).

 

[Melissa_King]

CARSON COUGARS


HEAD COACH: Jonathan Lowe
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: South Piedmont
2025 RECORD: 5-6 (3-4)

2026 OUTLOOK: “We will be a heavy run team with good leaders. We will be big upfront on both sides of the ball and physical.”

2026 SCHEDULE:

AUG 21st @ Central Davidson
AUG 28th MOUNT PLEASANT
SEP 5th @ South Lake Christian
SEP 12th Open
SEP 19th SALISBURY
SEP 26th @ West Rowan
OCT 2nd NORTHWEST CABARRUS
OCT 9th CONCORD
OCT 16th @ East Rowan
OCT 23rd @ JM Robinson
OCT 30th SOUTH ROWAN


SENIORS: ELI COVINGTON (DB/RB, 6’0, 173). “Eli has an incredible motor.” COLIN MASINGO (QB, 6’0, 173). “Colin leads by example.” ROSEAN PERKINS (RB, 5’10, 209). All-Conference. “Rosean is a physical runner.” KONNOR KARRIKER (WR/DB, 6’1, 170). “Konnor is a versatile athlete.” KAIDEN CRUZ (WR, 5’8, 150). “Kaiden is a team player.” GAVIN WITT (LB, 5’9, 200). “Gavin is a heavy lifter.” GARRECK BARNES (DB, 5’11, 177). “Garreck is a versatile athlete.” JAMARION BROWN (LB, 5’10, 169). All-Conference. “Jamarion is a hard hitter.” EASTON FEEHAN (OL, 6’2, 255). All-Conference. “Easton is an athletic lineman.” RIDGE BARGER (OL, 5’8, 235). “Ridge is consistent.” RA’JON HOWELL (OL, 5’11, 263). “Ra’jon is an athletic linemen.”JULIAN MYERS (OL/LS, 6’1, 269). “Julian is a smart lineman.” DREW NEVE (WR, 6’5, 183). All-County. “Drew is a great athlete.” SEDRICK WALLACE (DL, 6’0, 278). “Sedrick is an athletic lineman.“

 

[Melissa_King]

NORTH GASTON WILDCATS
HEAD COACH: Daniel Hoyle
CLASS: 5A
CONFERENCE: Big South 5A/6A
2025 RECORD: 1-9

2026 OUTLOOK: “Kids are working hard this off-season in the weight room and on the field. Kids are excited to learn a new offense and defense, and get things turned around in the right direction. We are building success with discipline and work ethic.”

2026 SCHEDULE:

AUG 21st EAST GASTON
AUG 28th @ Stuart Cramer
SEP 4th @ Concord
SEP 11th SOUTH CALDWELL
SEP 18th @ Hunter Huss
SEP 25th @ Ashbrook
OCT 2nd KINGS MOUNTAIN
OCT 9th @ South Point
OCT 18th CREST
OCT 23rd Open
OCT 30th FORESTVIEW


NOTE: “Everyone on our team will be vital to our success.”