Way-Too-Early 4A Top 10

<p>It's never too early to look ahead to the next season or to begin ranking the best teams in the state. It's already March, and the season will be here before you know it. I've been ranking teams in each class, starting with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-6a-top-10/">6A</a>, then looking at <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-8a-top-10/">8A</a>. Here's my way-too-early 4A Top 10.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let's Predict the Top 10 4A Teams</h2>   <p>Heading into last season, I had no idea what to expect from the middle classes. The highest classes were largely unchanged, aside from the number next to them. The same could be said for the lower classes. But the middle classes have a combination of old 1A, 2A, and 3A teams, and most conferences contain at least two classifications, if not three. There's just one conference made entirely of 4A teams, meaning most teams play a bunch of teams higher and lower, further muddying playoff seedings.</p>   <p>That led to a fun 4A playoff bracket last season, and with several top teams barrelling towards rebuilding years, the 4A class could be even wilder in 2025.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Brevard Blue Devils</h3>   <p>In these rankings, I have the Blue Devils leapfrogging the team that beat them in last year's state final. They'll need to replace their quarterback and three leading rushers, but we think rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2078853' first='Simon' last='Robinson']</strong> could turn into a workhorse. Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong> is one of the best two-way athletes in the state, and rising junior tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665296' first='Brayden' last='Crain']</strong> could have a breakout year.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) Reidsville Rams</h3>   <p>After graduating the best senior class not just in school history, but perhaps in the history of the state (accounting for their success across multiple sports), can the Rams reload? Quarterbacks <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149961' first='Braxton' last='Johnson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050807' first='Tyson' last='Broadway']</strong> were excellent last year, and the Rams could own the lines of scrimmage. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678650' first='Kadence' last='Pruitt']</strong> is a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/10-rural-pass-rushers-to-know/">dynamic pass rusher</a>, and the offensive line will be young, but it could be a strength.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Hibriten Panthers</h3>   <p>The Panthers were a very quiet 11-2 last season, but quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607912' first='Elan' last='Lipford']</strong> put the class on notice with a breakout season. Two-way athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623147' first='Grady' last='Beam']</strong> was one of the best players on the team last year, and got better as the season progressed.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4) Stuart W. Cramer Storm</h3>   <p>Stuart Cramer only allowed 20 points per game last year and returns a ton of defensive talent. Two-way players <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1666255' first='Landon' last='Lee']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607810' first='Qualteau' last='Hawkins']</strong> are superstars, two of the best receivers in the state, and talented defenders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104509' first='Brayden' last='Fortenberry']</strong> is a budding star and could have an even bigger role on offense.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5) West Craven Eagles</h3>   <p>If the quarterback position didn't matter, West Craven might be the top team in the class. But the Eagles lose one of the best dual-threat passers in the state. Will rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664518' first='CJ' last='Person']</strong> step in as the starter after a dynamic year as an athlete? Expect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351177' first='Xavier' last='Cuthbertson']</strong> to have another massive season, while we're looking for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1631111' first='Amari' last='Sumner']</strong> or another one of their young athletes to step up as a secondary option.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6) Newton-Conover Red Devils</h3>   <p>Newton-Conover found something at quarterback last season, but now loses its top passer and receiver. Star running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715220' first='Jeremiah' last='Pope']</strong> had nearly 1,200 yards last season, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='590094' first='Amari' last='Coulter']</strong> and <strong>Naiym Robinson</strong> could be in for larger roles in 2026. The defense loses a lot, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715229' first='Ty' last='Hefner']</strong> is a star in the making.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7) Burns Bulldogs</h3>   <p>Any team with a potential player of the year candidate on offense has a chance, and that's what running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis']</strong> is after a breakout junior season. Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147485' first='Jorian' last='Ussery']</strong> was explosive as a sophomore, with 11 total touchdowns, including two as a punt returner.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8) West Stokes Wildcats</h3>   <p>West Stokes is another team that returns a ton of talent from last year's squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112028' first='Jay' last='Taylor']</strong> is the headliner at the skill positions after putting up nearly 900 yards from scrimmage as a sophomore. Two-way linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1220047' first='Dalton' last='East']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1198259' first='Omari' last='Graham']</strong> add some size to the interior of the lines, as the Wildcats return almost 80% of their offensive yardage.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9) Bunn Wildcats</h3>   <p>Bunn surprised people last season after going from one to eight wins in a year and returns a now-veteran team in 2026. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2142470' first='Josiah' last='Rice']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953543' first='DJ' last='Smith']</strong> have a great rapport, while young edge duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2049835' first='Ta'ron' last='Mitchell']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632718' first='Cayden' last='Davis']</strong> are impressive youngsters with huge upside.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10) Maiden Wildcats</h3>   <p>Maiden loses a bunch of talent from last year's team, but the Wildcats have shown the ability to reload before. The star returner is athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074322' first='Keyahjae' last='Smyre']</strong>, who had 600 yards of total offense and picked off four passes last season. Offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395230' first='Baylor' last='Duncan']</strong> is another college-caliber player on offense.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Also in the Hunt</h2>   <p><strong>Clinton Dark Horses</strong></p>   <p><strong>East Duplin Panthers</strong></p>   <p><strong>Lexington Senior Yellowjackets</strong></p>   <p><strong>T.W. Andrews Red Raiders</strong></p>   <p><strong>West Iredell Warriors</strong></p>   <p><em>This is the time of year when we have the most time to dive into film, re-evaluate 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. <em>Our 7-Day free trial offer runs from March 5-9</em>. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/?coupon=march26freetrial&utm_medium=scout&utm_source=braze&utm_campaign=free-trial-email&utm_term=free-trial&utm_content=free-trial-offer">Share Prep Redzone with a friend!</a></em></p>

It's never too early to look ahead to the next season or to begin ranking the best teams in the state. It's already March, and the season will be here before you know it. I've been ranking teams in each class, starting with 6A, then looking at 8A. Here's my way-too-early 4A Top 10.