6A Midseason Check-In: Teams, Storylines To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As some teams enter conference play and others conclude the non-conference season, a lot has changed from the preseason, but not everything. Here, I'm looking back at our&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-nc-preseason-6a-all-state-team/">preseason 6A All-State Team</a>&nbsp;and predictions to see what we've gotten right and what we've gotten wrong. Plus, I'm looking ahead to conference play, giving fans an idea of who they should pay attention to down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's our 6A Midseason Check-In.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A Midseason Check-In</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just recently, we dropped our&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/team-database/?team_name=&amp;class%5B%5D=7A">Power Scores</a></strong>, an independent algorithm-based ranking of the teams across the state. We as scouts don't touch these, meaning we're free to&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/analysts-take-what-power-scores-has-right-and-wrong-in-week-5/">agree or disagree with them</a>&nbsp;as we wish. They do a great job of anchoring us and giving us an idea of which teams might be near the top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, when I refer to any rankings, unless otherwise specified, I'll use my own opinion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stock Up</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terry Sanford Bulldogs:</strong> I feel like we've talked about the Bulldogs several times in recent weeks, but their start to the season has been excellent. In hindsight, maybe a 44-42 win over Seventy-First in Week 1 wasn't as crazy as we thought, given that the Bulldogs followed it with three wins in four games, with the only blemish a close loss to 7A Jack Britt. Two-way wide receiver/defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671906' first='Gaven' last='Kraut']</strong> has been excellent, as the second receiver behind <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1749317' first='Sebastian' last='O'Keefe']</strong>, and has picked off a pass while sitting among the team leaders in tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Middle Creek Mustangs:</strong> Middle Creek has been a mid-tier team for a few seasons, but had the look in the offseason of a team that could take a step forward. That's been the case so far. After a 5-5 regular season last year, the Mustangs started 4-1 in 2025 and end the year with several winnable games. The emergence of a strong passing game has been obvious and is a testament to the multi-year plan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> has been as advertised on varsity after patiently gaining experience at the JV level, and transfer receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663791' first='Tracy' last='Harrington Jr.']</strong> has added a legitimate deep threat. <strong>Nicolas Bocciardi</strong> has complemented Harrington well by operating underneath, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658593' first='Jayden' last='Spencer']</strong> has averaged over six yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Mustangs have a star at each level: Edge <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663952' first='Davis' last='Prichard']</strong>, sophomore linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880225' first='Connor' last='Smith']</strong>, and safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880228' first='Honor' last='Paxton']</strong>, who was the best defensive player on the field (for either team) in the Garner-Middle Creek game I scouted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What To Watch in Conference Play</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Scattered Powers</strong>: By far the most unique thing about the 6A class is how spread out the talent is across different conferences. The top 10 teams in the class, per Power Scores, are in nine different conferences, largely because almost every 6A conference is mainly a 7A or a 5A combined conference. Only <strong>Freedom</strong> and <strong>Watauga</strong> are in the same conference among the top 10 (Thought <strong>Kings Mountain</strong> sits outside the top 10 while being a threat in a conference with <strong>Ashbrook</strong>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why does this matter? Either the top teams run through conference play without much issue, leaving us blind heading into the playoffs, or we see a couple of conference upsets that turn the class on its head. Either would be a fun outcome. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll get to my current top 10 teams in the class at the bottom of this article, but my guess is as good as anyone's right now. With six undefeated 6A teams and 12 more with just one loss, we don't know.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lower-Ranked Teams to Watch:</strong> Power Scores looks really accurate for the top and bottom classifications, but isn't sure what to do with the middle classifications yet. Some 6A teams stacked the non-conference with teams from 3A, 4A, and 5A. Others loaded up on 7A and 8A challenges. Similarly, there are eight 5A/6A conferences (including one that includes some 4A teams) and 11 6A/7A conferences (including one that includes some 8A teams). That will make a difference in the playoff seeding, but I don't think we really know what difference it will make.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charlotte Catholic</strong> has losses to Weddington and Providence Day and won't face another team on that level the rest of the season. The Cougar defense, led by edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368127' first='Dominic' last='Basrawala'],</strong> has been outstanding, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369343' first='Garrett' last='Nowlan']</strong> has emerged as a premier rushing threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union Pines</strong> looks strong this year, having allowed just 40 points in five games, including a close 21-16 loss to 8A Pinecrest. The Vikings are 2-0 in the only 6A-exclusive conference and have a real chance to run the table in the regular season. In my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/union-pines-vikings-2025-season-preview/">season preview</a>, I mentioned that there was some optimism because of the offseason work in the weight room. That optimism turned out to be well-founded as they're outlasting teams in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The front seven, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610572' first='Josiah' last='Sandler']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572073' first='Elijah' last='Clayton']</strong>, has been fantastic, while the offense is finding success in balance, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon']</strong> in the running game and slot receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1663329' first='John' last='Erguiza']</strong> in the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, <strong>Kings Mountain</strong> quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687753' first='KJ' last='Bell']</strong> has grown into the role, while receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600212' first='William' last='Vaughn']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens']</strong> have been excellent. Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687769' first='Christian' last='Jarrett']</strong> has emerged as a fearsome pass-rusher, and freshman safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1884218' first='Kavion' last='Byers']</strong> is having a phenomenal season. What do most of those guys have in common? Four of the five are freshmen or sophomores. Kings Mountain has a tough conference schedule, but that young team is still developing and should be playing its best football at the end of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 10 Teams in 6A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since Matt Morrow wrote our preseason 6A piece, this is my first top 10 list. Here's my current top 10 near the halfway mark of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. Watauga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. Jacksonville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. Terry Sanford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. Ashbrook</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. Charlotte Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. Freedom</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Kings Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Statesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Asheboro</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Northern Nash</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We'll have in-depth coverage of the 7A classification throughout the season. To cover the entire state, we need your help. Send me stats, film, and updates on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). Want to send this to someone who isn't a subscriber? Promo Code 'Helms30' will get them 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->