5A Sleepers in 2026

Even in February, it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 high school football season. Want to know which teams could make a surprise run in North Carolina this season? We've got you covered. Here are three 5A sleepers in 2026.   Editor's Note: I covered the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-8a-darkhorses-in-2026/">8A class</a> last 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>, the intriguing <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/4a-sleepers-in-2026/">4A class</a>, and a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2a-sleepers-in-2026/">2A class</a> that needs more underdogs. Finally, I covered a deep <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/7a-sleepers-in-2026/">7A class</a>.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 5A Teams Could Make Surprise Runs in 2026?</h2>   Of all the classifications last season, 5A may have been the most fun and unpredictable. Just one of the top four seeds made the regional finals, and almost every game throughout the playoffs was close. 11 5A playoff games finished with a margin of one score, including six of three points or fewer.   Though Crest was a four-seed, they were one of the favorites to win the class in my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/midseason-5a-check-in-teams-storylines-to-watch-before-playoffs/">midseason check-in</a>. Noticeably absent from that list was 5A East Champion Hunt, who were also absent from our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/prep-redzone-preseason-5a-all-state-team/">preseason preview</a>. We also had non-traditional powers like Croatan and Northside-Jacksonville come out of nowhere to impress.   So, we know someone will surprise in 5A this season, but who?   Here, I'm taking a stab at three potential sleepers in the 5A class.   Editor's Note: For these purposes, I'm choosing three teams that did not make a regional final last season. That excludes Crest, Hunt, Hickory, and Northside-Jacksonville. It would be at least mildly if the state champion came from outside those teams. I'm also avoiding 2025 one and two-seeds, so South Point, Northeast Guilford, and Jay M. Robinson are out, too.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Franklin Panthers</h3>   Franklin may seem like an odd "sleeper" choice given that it won nine games last season, but just three years removed from a two-win season, and just six away from a 1-10 year at the 2A level, the Panthers can hardly be considered perennial powers.   But they rode a strong defense to an impressive playoff run last season, and many of the heavy-hitters are back. Quarterback Anderson Terrell is back under center, along with 1,700-yard rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1421089' first='Garrett' last='Young'], the heart and soul of the team.   Not only did Young hit 1,800 scrimmage yards, but he also led the team in tackles from his middle linebacker position, and he's only a rising junior. Fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2138345' first='Daiveon' last='Hall'] was second with 72 stops, including seven for loss.   Rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='2138346' first='Lance' last='Parker'] chipped in on both sides of the ball and provides much-needed size at safety and receiver. In general, I tend to trust teams with strong 2025 seasons and a ton of returning production, and the Panthers fit the bill.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northwest Cabarrus Trojans</h3>   Northwest Cabarrus started last season 7-1 before a brutal finish to the season, but the youth movement is underway, and some of those formerly inexperienced players in key spots are battle-tested.   Quarterback Hunter Irwin grew in confidence, but it looked like he pressed a bit at the end of the year. When he's in rhythm, there are few better, and he has some returning weapons. Rising junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1815391' first='Shane' last='Lucas-Walker'] is one of our favorites in the class, and to say he was key last year is an understatement. The Trojans were 6-0 when he was healthy, and 1-4 when he was out.   2029 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1858006' first='Dom' last='Baker'] is ranked as a defensive back and was one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/2029-defensive-stock-risers/">fastest risers</a> in our recent <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2029-north-carolina-high-school-football-rankings/">2029 rankings update</a>. Rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1616134' first='Titus' last='Troy'] was one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/january-stock-risers-2028-rbs/">biggest risers</a> in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 rankings update</a> after rushing for over 100 yards in every win.   The Trojans crashed out of the playoffs a bit early and should be back in 2026.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Seaforth Hawks</h3>   Seaforth isn't considered a traditional football power (They've only had four years at the varsity level), but the Hawks are coming off their first-ever six-win season and return some exceptional young players.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2134913' first='Duncan' last='Parker'] is starting to gain some notoriety on the recruiting trail after putting up one of the best dual-threat seasons in the state last year (2,600 passing yards and over 600 rushing yards). The Hawks need to replace some key pieces at the skill positions, but will hope to get a full season out of receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2138383' first='Max' last='Hinchman'], who averaged over 70 receiving yards per game when healthy.   Last year's defense was a mixture of experienced seniors and young talent. [player_tooltip player_id='2099533' first='Nolan' last='Greiner'] is the top returning tackler, despite playing a bit undersized. He should improve physically this offseason, which should only help him. Edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='2124203' first='Kieran' last='Pooley'] is a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/look-ahead-future-2029-newcomers/">budding star</a> who should bring some pass-rushing juice.   There's a bunch of young talent on this team, and if it can come together (and if Parker has another big season), don't be surprised if Seaforth makes a run.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 5A Sleepers</h2>   Southern Nash Firebirds   Southeast Alamance Alamance   Monroe Redhawks   North Lincoln Knights   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. 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Even in February, it's never too early to look ahead to the 2026 high school football season. Want to know which teams could make a surprise run in North Carolina this season? We've got you covered. Here are three 5A sleepers in 2026.