2A Sleepers in 2026

It's only February, but it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 high school football season. Want to know which teams could surprise and make a run this season? We've got you covered. Here are three 4A sleepers in 2026.   Editor's Note: I covered the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-8a-darkhorses-in-2026/">8A class</a> earlier this week, in what proved to be a more difficult class to find under-the-radar teams. I also looked at a more open <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/6a-sleepers-in-2026/">6A class</a> and the intriguing <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/4a-sleepers-in-2026/">4A class</a>.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 2A Teams Could Make Surprise Runs in 2026?</h2>   The 2A class can get overshadowed by its dominant team, as Tarboro beat 3A, 4A, and 5A powers while allowing 19 points in the playoffs during its undefeated season. They have a ton of talent returning and are the clear favorites in the 2A class again this season.   Elsewhere, there was a mix of expected and surprise teams. The four regional finalists were the top four seeds, mostly talented, former 1A teams with some questions about whether they'd still thrive after reclassification. There had also been several upsets in the early playoff rounds.   We had a few surprise runs cut short last season. Which under-the-radar teams could surprise in 2025?   Editor's Note: For these purposes, I'm choosing three teams that did not make a regional final last season. That excludes Tarboro, Murphy, Starmount, and Warren County.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mountain Island Charter Raptors</h3>   I thought Mountain Island would have better early success last year, but it took the Raptors time to adjust. By the end of the season, they were dangerous, though, and they return plenty of talent in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394018' first='An'Dre' last='Ramseur Jr']. played quarterback last season after emerging as one of the top freshman receivers in the state in 2024. Fellow sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='1616203' first='Kayden' last='Clark'] and Chamond Ford quickly became his favorite targets, and Ramseur also ran for over 1,000 yards. The Raptors lose another 1,000-yard rusher, but the offense was young last season, giving this 2026 unit a ton of experience.   The defense is a bit less experienced this year after losing several key contributors. I'm intrigued by [player_tooltip player_id='2089929' first='Brayden' last='Brown'] in a secondary made up largely of two-way stars. I also think a few younger defensive linemen could step up. [player_tooltip player_id='1622591' first='Bryce' last='Cuadra'] leads the linebacking corps. There's talent here, even if there isn't a ton of experience.   It may take the defense a few weeks to gel, but the Raptors should put up plenty of points.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Community School of Davidson Spartans</h3>   Community School of Davidson returns a ton of talent at key positions, including its top seven tacklers, and almost all of its takeaway production.   At quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1041542' first='Ty' last='Sigler'] won the job in the offseason and played really well, especially late in the year. He had 18 total touchdowns in his final six games, and his accuracy ticked up throughout the season, too.   Running back [player_tooltip player_id='1304566' first='Nixon' last='Willis'] is a personal scouting favorite of ours, though the Spartans lose their top offensive playmaker. There's an opportunity for a younger receiver or two to step up, while the offensive line returns a few talented blockers   Last year always felt like a building year for the Spartans, and they could put it all together in 2026.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Columbus Vikings</h3>   If you're looking for a deep sleeper that could burst onto the scene in 2026, look no further than West Columbus in the southeast. The Vikings went 3-8 but averaged nearly 30 points per game in one of the toughest 2A conferences. The way the schedule fell, they only played four home games. And they return almost all of their top players, including a top-five quarterback at the 2A level.   [player_tooltip player_id='2135592' first='DJ' last='Graham'] averaged nearly 280 yards per game, with 27 total touchdowns and just four interceptions. He was also West Columbus's leading rusher, and the Vikings also return four of their top five receivers. That group includes rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2135589' first='Charlie' last='McLeod'] and two-way star [player_tooltip player_id='2135594' first='Xavier' last='Savage'], who led the Vikings in tackles.   The defense struggled at times last season, but returns plenty of experience. Watch out for rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2135593' first='Sam' last='Battle'], who anchors the middle of the defense. Some improvement on that side of the ball should make the Vikings a threat in the 2A classification.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 2A Sleepers</h2>   Christ the King   North Rowan   Corvian Community   Perquimans   This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, reevaluate prospects, and change our minds about players. Send your film on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>), so I can evaluate you. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo Code Helms30 is good for 30% off your first billing cycle.

It's only February, but it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 high school football season. Want to know which teams could surprise and make a run this season? We've got you covered. Here are three 4A sleepers in 2026.