Way-Too-Early 6A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too early to look at the next season, or to begin ranking the best teams in the state. Okay, maybe it's possible to be <em>too</em> early, but I don't think that's the case here. We're less than six months away from the season, so let's dive in. Here's my way-too-early 6A Top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let's Predict the Top 10 6A Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6A class is one of my favorites, which is why I'm starting here. We're looking forward, but there's no way to evaluate teams without at least mentioning last season. If you want more team coverage, I went in-depth on three <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/6a-sleepers-in-2026/">6A sleepers</a> last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Jacksonville Cardinals</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1895409' first='Amari' last='Pearson']</strong> and leading receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1844273' first='SaRonn' last='Thompson']</strong> return on a team that won its first 12 games of the season. I have a few questions about a defense that will have to replace its six leading tacklers, but the offense should once again be among the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) Middle Creek Mustangs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs return a ton of talent on a veteran offensive line, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880897' first='Stanley' last='Petrovich']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604115' first='James' last='Han']</strong>, and the linebacking trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2077458' first='Mark' last='Smith']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880225' first='Connor' last='Smith']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607063' first='Cody' last='Wicker']</strong> has an argument as the best in the class. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1328747' first='Lex' last='Sevilla']</strong> is a veteran signal-caller now, but inexperienced players will need to step up at receiver and on the defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Northern Nash Knights</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northern Nash must replace a productive quarterback and a couple of key secondary pieces. Otherwise, the Knights are in fantastic shape. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='618689' first='Myles' last='Eatmon']</strong> and <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/preston-mcdaniel-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='1968099' first='Preston' last='McDaniel']</a></strong> return after combining for nearly 2,500 rushing yards last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110733' first='Tollie' last='West']</strong> leads a defense that had 21 sacks last season, all by returning underclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4) Union Pines Vikings</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This pick is largely dependent on the Vikings being able to pick up where they left off at the quarterback position. We've heard good things about potential starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1690456' first='Vida' last='Blue']</strong>, who would join a talented offense led by 1,000-yard rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon']</strong>. The defense is a talented, veteran unit led by leading tackler <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610572' first='Josiah' last='Sandler']</strong> and pass rushers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706217' first='Duncan' last='Obst']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610571' first='Dylan' last='Benedict']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5) Ashbrook Greenwave</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greenwave cruised last season until running into a bad matchup (on the road) against Northern Guilford. This season, they return most of their potent offense, led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain']</strong> and 1,600-yard rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378966' first='Savion' last='Lindsay']</strong>. I won't sugarcoat it, the defense is decimated by graduation, but that unit allowed just 10.2 points per game in the regular season, and I trust that coaching staff to limit any potential regression on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6) Watauga Pioneers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's risky to rank the reigning undefeated state champions this low, and maybe I do look silly in eight months. But the Pioneers lose a ton of talent from last year's squad. They'll reload, but can they be the top team in the class once again? <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2074876' first='John' last='Wilson Mills']</strong> is the only one of Watauga's nine leading tacklers to return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7) Kings Mountain Mountaineers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kings Mountain was one of the youngest teams in the state last year, and has plenty of talent in the 2028 and 2029 classes. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687753' first='KJ' last='Bell']</strong>, running back <strong>Khareem Coleman</strong>, and receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616138' first='Xavier' last='Hutchens']</strong> and <strong>Isiah Branch</strong> all return, as well as two-way 2029 athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1884218' first='Kavion' last='Byers']</strong>. Defensively, the Mountaineers get a bunch back as well, led by edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687769' first='Christian' last='Jarrett']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8) Seventy-First Falcons</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seventy-First loses its head coach, but promoted from within, which should help the Falcons keep momentum. It took a talented defense a few games to settle in last season, but <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1408808' first='John' last='Archer']</strong> returns up front and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670940' first='Malik' last='Locklear']</strong> anchors a talented secondary. Offensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1334992' first='R'maunni' last='Watson']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='653512' first='Shon' last='Pone Jr'].</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1709621' first='JaSiaha' last='Nance']</strong> are the stars, but it's a deep unit that can withstand any one player's struggles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9) Charlotte Catholic Cougars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars lost some talent, but return second-leading rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2145591' first='Max' last='Whalen']</strong> and a handful of key defenders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2124734' first='Jackson' last='Williamson']</strong> is a high-upside rising sophomore at edge rusher. While we spend far more time writing about players than coaches here, the impact of Mike Brodowicz's return to the Charlotte Catholic sideline cannot be overstated. Finally, in close games, the Cougars have a distinct advantage on special teams with kicker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1706428' first='Aidan' last='Flynn']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10) Southern Alamance Patriots</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southern Alamance made a strong run last season, and despite losing some defensive talent, could be in a position to contend again. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2144167' first='Sincere' last='Thompson']</strong> is the star, and quarterback <strong>Tustin Johnson</strong> really improved over the course of his junior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Also In The Hunt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sun Valley Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Guilford Nighthawks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom Patriots</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dudley Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Asheville Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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&amp;utm_medium=scout&amp;utm_source=braze&amp;utm_campaign=free-trial-email&amp;utm_term=free-trial&amp;utm_content=free-trial-offer">Share Prep Redzone with a friend!</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->