6A 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 6A 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.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 6A Teams Could Make Surprise Runs in 2026?</h2>   6A is already a wide-open classification, and while I pegged Jacksonville and Watauga early as the teams to beat, I was actually correct in picking Middle Creek as a potential sleeper last season. Who could make a similar run in 2026?   Here, I'm looking at three 6A teams outside of the top 4-5 that could make a deep playoff run later this year.   Editor's Note: For these purposes, I'm choosing three teams that did not make a regional final last season. That excludes Middle Creek, Watauga, Northern Guilford, and Jacksonville.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Union Pines Vikings</h3>   Union Pines has been building for the last few years, going from 2-8 to 6-5 to 11-2 in the last three seasons behind a young defense. The best thing about youth on one side of the ball is that most of those players come back a year later bigger, stronger, and full of experience.   The Vikings have had one of the best strength and speed programs in the state over the last few years, and we've routinely seen players shave tenths off their 40 times while adding 15-20 pounds of good weight in a single offseason.   That means that we won't be surprised if linebacker duo [player_tooltip player_id='1610572' first='Josiah' last='Sandler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1610571' first='Dylan' last='Benedict'] to be bigger and stronger as seniors. The Vikings return 13 sacks between Benedict and [player_tooltip player_id='1706217' first='Duncan' last='Obst']. That young defense isn't young anymore, and it could be one of the best units in the class.   Offensively, running back duo [player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1581463' first='Tyler' last='Thomas'] both return after combining for nearly 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns.   In the passing game, the Vikings are a bit more green, with only [player_tooltip player_id='1663329' first='John' last='Erguiza'] returning among the top five pass catchers. They also graduate both the starter and backup quarterback. Could this be the year that rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1690456' first='Vida' last='Blue'] breaks out?   If so, it's hard to imagine the late playoff rounds without the Vikings.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scotland Fighting Scots</h3>   It's been a decade since Scotland was a consistent state-title contender, but there are some pieces in place to make another sustained run.   We have to start with our top 2029 prospect, running back [player_tooltip player_id='1858055' first='Mike' last='McLean']. When the other half of Scotland's two-headed monster in the backfield went down midseason, McLean took over, but he wasn't the only Fighting Scot to improve as the season went on.   Quarterback Bryson Powell played really well down the stretch last year. He's back, as well as leading receivers Nasiah McLean and [player_tooltip player_id='651255' first='Samier' last='Pate']. The offensive line is talented and experienced, as well.   The question will be a defense that flashed last season, even as the Scots lost a couple of close shootouts. Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2132622' first='Jordan' last='McLean'] led the defensive backfield as a freshman, and [player_tooltip player_id='1610592' first='Rasheme' last='Wilkerson'] led the team in sacks.   The Scots lost their last two one-score games after winning three such close games early in the year, finishing a failed two-point-conversion short of the state quarterfinals. A play here or there could put them in the championship this season.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kings Mountain Mountaineers</h3>   When I picked <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-8a-darkhorses-in-2026/">8A sleepers</a>, I found it difficult to find some true contenders. But 6A is wide open, and I had to choose three from seven or eight legitimate options.   I settled on Kings Mountain because of the young skill position talent. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1687753' first='KJ' last='Bell'] has elite potential, and with another offseason to refine his craft and a ton of room before he hits his ceiling, he could end up as the top quarterback in the classification.   While he loses one of the top tight ends in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens'] is a game-breaker when at his best. Freshman two-way player [player_tooltip player_id='1884218' first='Kavion' last='Byers'] got better as the season progressed. Isiah Branch returns as the third-leading receiver last season, and Kings Mountain has a reputation for producing big-play receivers out of nowhere. Could [player_tooltip player_id='1864082' first='Devin' last='Hopper'] take a massive step forward?   Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1687769' first='Christian' last='Jarrett'] had an up-and-down year last season, and with more consistency, the high-upside pass-rusher could be among the best in the state.   As a whole, the Mountaineers' 2029 class is one of the most intriguing in the state. Kings Mountain was inconsistent last year, beating 3A state champion Shelby by 16 to open the season, but lost three conference games by over 30 points (albeit to elite competition).   The Mountaineers get some elite talent back. If they can be a bit more consistent, we could see them deep in the playoffs.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other 6A Sleepers</h2>   Charlotte Catholic   Ashbrook   A.C. Reynolds   Dudley   Asheville   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 6A sleepers in 2026.