Way-Too-Early 1A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Amidst plenty of county deep dives, I'm working my way through "way-too-early" classification previews. It's not too early to begin previewing the 2026 season and briefing fans on the names to know at the top of the 1A class. I started with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-6a-top-10/">6A</a>, then looked at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-8a-top-10/">8A</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-4a-top-10/">4A</a>, before finishing the even classifications with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-2a-top-10/">2A</a>. Last week, I previewed the deep <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-7a-top-10/">7A class</a> and the wide-open <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-5a-top-10/">5A class</a>, and finally the always fun <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-3a-top-10/">3A</a> class. What does the 1A class have in store for us this season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let's Predict the Top 10 3A Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As expected, the change to eight NCHSAA classes hurt both the depth and the top-end of the 1A class. Only one of the eight 1A State Quarterfinalists in 2024 stayed at the 1A level, as the rest moved up to 2A or even 3A. That lone returner, Wilson Prep, ultimately won the 1A state championship as part of the eight-class system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's not all bad, though, as a few former powerhouses rose back to prominence last year, and while there are some cellar-dwellers in 1A, there's a lot of talent spread around the class. Here, we're breaking down the players to know for the top 10 teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Wilson Prep Tigers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Tigers lose a bunch of talent, they're still my favorite to win in the 1A class. I haven't seen their non-conference schedule yet, but it's likely they'll load up on bigger teams early, knowing that even a loss prepares them for postseason play. That's what they did in 2025, playing some of the top teams in 3A, 5A, and even 7A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2158953' first='Tyquan' last='Whitaker']</strong> will likely take on the "do everything" role for the Tigers, and while I'm interested to see which direction they go at quarterback, I don't think the offense has to be elite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853840' first='Zalik' last='Cannady']</strong> leads an elite front that returns most of its production, and the Tigers have five guys in the 2028 and 2029 classes with at least 30 tackles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) KIPP Pride</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a top quarterback goes a long way at the 1A level, and KIPP Pride has an intriguing one in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1030649' first='Ge'arey' last='Johnson']</strong>, who threw for 11 touchdowns on just 78 total attempts last season. He's a high-upside passer who could have more volume this season. Receiver/defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1752155' first='Antonio' last='Felton']</strong> is a leader on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Northside-Pinetown Panthers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Panthers will look quite different in 2026. But on defense, they'll be a force, and very experienced. They're paced by two rising sophomore defensive linemen, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1884222' first='Zakari' last='Woods']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2160219' first='ZyMir' last='Nixon']</strong>, who each finished in the top five on the team in tackles. In total, they'll return five of seven leading tacklers including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2128514' first='Jamari' last='Whitney']</strong>, who could take over as the starter at running back, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4) Robbinsville Black Knights</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robbinsville is a historic program that made its way back to the state championship for the first time in a decade last season. They lost a ton this offseason, but return leading receiver <strong>Tucker Jones</strong> and versatile offensive weapon <strong>Cameron Allison</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5) South Davidson Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Davidson had the biggest turnaround in the state last year, going from 0-10 two seasons ago to 11-2 with a regional championship appearance. The Wildcats were young, too, and return some talent. Running back <strong>Duke Howell</strong> averaged nearly 100 all-purpose yards per game and scored 17 touchdowns last year, with over half of the team's receiving yardage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6) Bear Grass Charter</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>Coby Beck</strong> returns for Bear Grass Charter after 12 passing touchdowns, 12 rushing touchdowns, and only two interceptions last season. Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141080' first='Caleb' last='Thomas']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141081' first='Tanner' last='Long']</strong> lead a strong defense, while receiver/defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141083' first='Jykel' last='Johnson']</strong> could have a breakout year for a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/1a-sleepers-in-2026/">potential sleeper</a> at the 1A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7) Winston Salem Prep Phoenix</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winston Salem Prep was a great team with a turnover problem last season. Even while playing well otherwise, the offense gave the ball away at a high clip, often in the middle of promising drives. Most of the offensive line returns in front of one of the best rising sophomore running back duos in the state in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2160226' first='Jamari' last='Wilson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2160225' first='Chantler' last='Arroyo']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8) Washington County Panthers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another potential sleeping giant, Washington County lost in the first round at home last year, but returns plenty of productive talent. The Panthers are young, with multiple freshman contributors last year, including athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140883' first='Keitrell' last='Sutton']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2140882' first='Symir' last='Jenkins']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9) North Stokes Vikings</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Stokes has some serious top-end talent, and with some more depth and consistency, could be one of the more pleasant surprises in the class. They have size up front, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141098' first='Wyatt' last='Collins']</strong>, and if quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141096' first='Holden' last='Shelton']</strong> maintains his efficiency when moving from one of two passers to "the guy," the Vikings will be really good. Receiver/linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2141097' first='Jackson' last='Bodenhamer']</strong> will exit the spring as one of the top-ranked 1A players in our system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10) East Columbus Gators</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dawson Crosby</strong> creeped across the 1,000-yard mark as a rusher from his quarterback position last year, while rising seniors <strong>Jacob Stukes</strong> and <strong>Demetrius Dexter</strong> lead a promising defense that started to turn a corner down the stretch last year. The Gators got better as the season progressed before tumbling out in the second round of the playoffs to Robbinsville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Also in the Hunt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Jefferson Classical</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hobgood Charter Raiders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sallie B. Howard Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>It's camp season, and we're coming to Charlotte on May 1 for our PRZ Exposure Camp under the lights on a Friday night. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2214/register/exposure-series-north-carolina">Secure your spot</a> and use promo code WillHelms10 at checkout for $10 off. Think we missed someone? DM me on Twitter/X <em>(<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em> with film.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->