Game Balls: Week 1 Skill Positions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was real, meaningful football last week, and there were plenty of highlight performances to write about. Here, we're breaking down a few of the best. We're giving out game balls to players around the state. These could go to stat monsters, clutch performers, or even guys who simply broke out and helped their team to a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we go. Take a look as we hand out game balls to the best skill position players of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Week 1 Game Balls: Skill Positions</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper']</strong>, WR, Kinston (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've become accustomed to big games from the NC State commit, and he put up one of the best of his career in Week 1 in a close loss to 7A South Central, racking up 219 yards on 11 receptions Friday. He showed an improved underneath route tree on Friday after being primarily a deep threat as a sophomore and junior. Expect more big performances from the impressive senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706156' first='Brandon' last='Pinkerton']</strong>, RB, East Rutherford (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinkerton, a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-3a-preseason-all-state-team/">preseason 3A All-State</a> selection, got his season off to a roaring start with 250 total yards on just 21 touches. He's used to big numbers, but not often so efficient. He scored three times in a close 40-36 loss to 6A Asheville, and that bodes well for his ability to play against his own classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Garrett Nowland</strong>, RB, Charlotte Catholic (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about a guy nearly matching his career yardage in his first outing of the season on just eight(!) touches. That's what Charlotte Catholic RB <strong>Garrett Nowland</strong> did Friday in a 37-14 win over South Meck. The senior had 49 rushes for just over 250 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games as a junior. In his senior debut? How about 176 yards and three touchdowns on eight carries?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nowland looks like the next great Cougar running back; it just took him a bit more time to get there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1855413' first='Eric' last='Payne'],</strong> RB, Jack Britt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jack Britt running back had quite the senior debut, rushing for 222 yards on just 16 carries against South View. Payne had multiple long touchdown runs to extend the Jack Britt lead late, showing his value in helping the Buccaneers maintain a lead. Jack Britt has high hopes this season and if Payne can add an explosive element to the offense, that team will be dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1614576' first='Jackson' last='Heavner']</strong>, Cherryville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heavner is making me look silly for leaving him off the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-2a-preseason-all-state-team/">2A Preseason All-State Team</a>, as he had a massive opener. In fact, he scored five touchdowns and was tackled just four times all game, running for 262 yards on just nine carries. That homerun speed has always been one of his best traits, and he'll look to build on his excellent showing this Friday against Owen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mentions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.']</strong>, RB, Reagan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>J.J. Gulat</strong>, RB, Dixon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348404' first='Landen' last='Agee']</strong>, RB, North Lincoln</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1852705' first='Jaleek' last='Parson']</strong>, WR, J.H. Rose</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Burroughs</strong>, Ath., Watauga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421082' first='RJ' last='Lynch']</strong>, Ath., Lincolnton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We can't recognize players we can't see. Send us stats and film, so we can evaluate you/your players. Want to send this to a friend? Discount code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->