Way-Too-Early 8A Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's never too early to look ahead to 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 8A Top 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let's Predict the Top 10 8A Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 8A class was fairly chalky last season. I wouldn't be surprised to see that be the case again in 2026 (Finding <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/3-8a-darkhorses-in-2026/">three state-title sleepers</a> was difficult). The best teams are the best teams for a reason, but some of the teams in the 6-10 range on this list may turn some heads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1) Hough Huskies</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not only have the Huskies reloaded from within, they've also landed some impact transfers. One of the top players in South Carolina, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson']</strong>, transfered in, along with former West Charlotte stars <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378926' first='Davion' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='949642' first='Michael' last='Griffin Jr'].</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense doesn't have to be explosive, given the talent on defense, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254550' first='Ethan' last='Royal']</strong> was as clutch as anyone last season. Running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='950967' first='JaMarion' last='Morrison']</strong> had a breakout year last season, but there will be opportunities at receiver. Could rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072205' first='Mason' last='Pearsall-Brown']</strong> step in as the top option next season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2) Millbrook Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I have questions about a decimated receiving corps, the Wildcats should be right back where they were last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong> grew as a quarterback last season, and if he can find some consistent pass-catchers on a team that returns just 38 catches (mostly from tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1252939' first='Hayes' last='Brawner']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263702' first='Santonis' last='Wright']</strong>), the offense should take a step forward. The offensive line is the strength of the offense, with starters <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2072220' first='Amir' last='Daniels']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1137826' first='Andrew' last='Jaynes']</strong>, among others, returning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is nasty, maybe the best in the state. Led by linebacker <strong>Quinten Cypher</strong> and edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1553113' first='Rashad' last='Streets']</strong> as top three players at their respective positions. Look for linebacker/edge hybrid <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782184' first='Chase' last='Sizer']</strong> to have a huge year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3) Rolesville Rams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect a return to dominance after a "down year" for the Rams, who never really clicked on offense against top teams last season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378957' first='Amir' last='Brown']</strong> is the workhorse back and the top running back in his class, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222913' first='Anthony' last='Roberts']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616145' first='Henry' last='Evans']</strong> return as top targets. The defense lost some talented players, but the production should be replaceable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='946850' first='Marquis' last='Bryant']</strong> is a game-changer at safety, while <strong>Jaylen Broadie</strong> led the team in tackles from his edge position. Look for rising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='892101' first='Genesis' last='Allen']</strong> to take on a bigger role inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4) West Charlotte Lions</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot of upheaval for the Lions, who hired a new coach and have dealt with several transfers and graduations. The team is still loaded, though, led by quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321007' first='Jamouri' last='Nichols']</strong> and running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321034' first='Sincere' last='Gray']</strong> and <strong>Emory McClain</strong>. Those two will need to take their game to another level, especially as the defense loses talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104426' first='Kayden' last='Smith']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1134792' first='Jaden' last='Dixon']</strong> return, among others, for a team that should once again be among the state's elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5) Hoggard Vikings</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoggard is the clear favorite in the far east part of the state, and they should be back as a high seed in the playoffs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865522' first='Desyn' last='Durand']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678657' first='Matthew' last='Boring']</strong> lead a potent offense, and a talented defense returns most of its key pieces. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110736' first='Graham' last='McNeely']</strong> led the Vikings with nine sacks last season, and the defense returns a total of 25 sacks off last year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">6) Mallard Creek Mavericks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before last season, I thought the Mavericks were a year away from competing again. Then, they went out and beat multiple teams on this list. They're young, talented, and hungry to return to status as an elite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616115' first='Cailen' last='Napier']</strong> looked great in split reps at quarteback last year, while running back duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866355' first='Joshua' last='Person']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866297' first='X'Zavier' last='Edmond']</strong> both return, likely bigger and faster, and the offensive line (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600577' first='Austin' last='Ballou']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616108' first='Achraf' last='Ouardi']</strong>) is one of the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616534' first='Geremiah' last='Mobley']</strong> leads a strong, young defense, and they're likely getting <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1283411' first='Elias' last='Price']</strong> for an entire year. Most impressively, every player I just mentioned is a rising junior, with two years remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">7) West Forsyth Titans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing a top quarterback and a running back who put up almost 1,600 yards isn't easy to bounce back from, but the Titans return a bunch of proven talent. Rising junior receiving duo <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146324' first='Jailyn' last='Moore']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1636010' first='Tylan' last='Grimes']</strong> combined for nearly 1,000 yards, while rising senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1671114' first='Braylen' last='Marrow']</strong> had almost 700 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, a strong secondary led by <strong>Joziah Nicholson's</strong> six interceptions and 11 pass breakups remains largely intact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">8) Myers Park Mustangs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a reloading year, not a rebuilding year, for the Mustangs, who return quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953767' first='Ramir' last='Watson']</strong>, but lose key leaders at running back, receiver, and on the offensive line. They'll need a big statistical year from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598900' first='Deigo' last='Lewis']</strong> on the defensive line after losing some key guys. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607867' first='Kameron' last='Guy']</strong> returns as a leader on defense, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">9) Leesville Road Pride</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leesville Road has a big hole at quarterback due to transfer. The Pride lose their top receiver, as well, but return No. 2 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1093057' first='Jayden' last='Lee Perry']</strong> and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1658600' first='Akshar' last='Barnes']</strong>. Defensively, look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1549526' first='Evan' last='Brown']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402754' first='Aidan' last='Lane']</strong> to step up as difference-makers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">10) C.E. Jordan Falcons</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have some real concerns with the amount of talent Jordan loses. That being said, there's some impressive young but inexperienced talent on this roster, and I'm interested to see what the early non-conference schedule looks like. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616112' first='Jonah' last='El-Amin']</strong> has some starting experience, and running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607878' first='Damien' last='Hayes']</strong> was second in our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/deep-dive-top-7-durham-orange-county-rbs/">Durham/Orange County Deep Dive</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the Falcons will need big years from edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607844' first='Xavier' last='Perkins']</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607793' first='Evan' last='Harewood']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Also in the Hunt</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Enloe Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Providence Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Apex Friendship</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Palisades Pumas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chambers 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 -->