4A Sleepers in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 4A Teams Could Make Surprise Runs in 2026?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top, the 4A class was what we expected last season, with Reidsville and Brevard meeting in the state championship in what felt like an inevitable clash of titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elsewhere, though, the class had some chaotic upsets and surprise contenders. Six-seeded Maiden made a run to the semifinals, while 11-seed SouthWest Edgecomb made the regional semifinals. Even some of the highly-seeded teams weren't expected to be there. Two-seed West Craven was 6-7 in 2024, putting it all together in a dream run in 2025. They're excluded from this exercise, but the Eagles could be back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reidsville lost a ton of talent, so is the door cracked for a dark horse to make a deep playoff run?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: For these purposes, I'm choosing three teams that did not make a regional final last season. That excludes Reidsville, Maiden, Brevard, and West Craven.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stuart W. Cramer Storm</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stuart Cramer enjoyed an excellent season last year and returns a ton of production from a team that fell just short of a regional semifinal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It starts with the emergence of some elite talent last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666255' first='Landon' last='Lee']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607810' first='Qualteau' last='Hawkins']</strong> had breakout seasons on both sides of the ball. The biggest questions will be at quarterback and running back, where the Storm will have to replace multi-year starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104509' first='Brayden' last='Fortenberry']</strong> was excellent last year at linebacker and played some running back as well. He could be in for an uptick in offensive workrate this season. An opportunistic defense is in good shape, returning most of its starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Newton-Conover Red Devils</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton-Conover turned a corner last year and put together a fantastic season. Unfortunately, a graduating senior quarterback played a huge part in that. He was a first-year starter, though, and I have a feeling the Red Devils could put together another explosive offense. Perhaps junior varsity starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715218' first='Weston' last='Norris']</strong> takes over and thrives?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Naiym Robinson</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590094' first='Amari' last='Coulter']</strong> are one of the top young receiving duos in the classification, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope']</strong> had a breakout season last year, giving the Red Devils some much-needed balance offensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have some concerns about a defense that loses a ton of talent, but I think interior defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715229' first='Ty' last='Hefner']</strong> can take a step forward, and there's some young talent, though inexperienced.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense has the potential to be elite, and some young guys can step up on defense, the Red Devils can build on last year's season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bunn Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bunn was young last season, and the Wildcats return budding stars at key positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive front is strong, returning four of their top five players in sacks last season. Overall, a defense that allowed just 20 points per game in 2025. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2049835' first='Ta'ron' last='Mitchell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632718' first='Cayden' last='Davis']</strong> not only played well last season, but developed as the season progressed, which bodes well for the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, it's not a team of stars, but the Wildcats have several talented players on a unit that averaged over 31 points per game. Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953543' first='DJ' last='Smith']</strong> was unstoppable down the stretch last year, with over 100 yards in four of his final five games, scoring 11 total touchdowns in that time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's the star, and if some other role players can steadily improve, a veteran unit can be even better in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 4A Sleepers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eastern Wayne Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Davidson Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>T.W. Andrews Red Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clinton Dark Horses</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Iredell Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>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.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->