Christ the King 2026 Season Preview

<p><em>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our preseason survey</a>. </em></p>   <p>The 2026 high school football season in North Carolina is nearly upon us, and we can't wait for things to be settled on the field. But for now, it's still talking season. We're in the process of previewing dozens of teams across the state. The Christ the King Crusaders are in one of the only primarily charter and private school conferences in the NCHSAA, and they're building a contender. What can we expect from the Crusaders in 2026?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Christ the King Crusaders Season Preview</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Charlie Jackson</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 7-4</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>@ Community School of Davidson (9/25), vs. Lake Norman Charter (10/9), vs. Corvian Community (10/23), </p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>The Crusaders are one of the most experienced teams in the 2A class, so I'm curious to see how much progress they can make in one season. Offensively, they return all but one key playmaker from last season, and the defense gets back five of their top six tacklers.</p>   <p>They're not the biggest team, but the Crusaders are well-coached and effective on the field. Can that experience move them into the 2A class's group of top teams in the West?</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Stevens had a decent year as a receiver last year, so we had his name on our radar, but he's impressed us multiple times this summer. He's a strong, precise route-runner who knows his role on every play, rather than simply running to a spot. He also led the defense with six interceptions last year. We think he could have a huge senior year.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Semmler is a massive offensive tackle who started on the blindside as a sophomore. He has good footwork for his size and seems to rarely get too upright, even while pushing 6-foot-8. He's a talented basketball player, too, and one of the key parts of an offense that averaged around 26 points per game last year.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">A key cog on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, you'd never know his roles based on his height and weight. He's the leading returning tackler, operating largely around the line of scrimmage, with 9.5 tackles for loss last year, first on the team. He also operated as the offense's best short-yardage back and excelled as a receiver out of the backfield, too.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Brennen Wallace</strong> | RB/LB- Wallace was a key piece on both sides of the ball, finishing with just under 1,000 rushing yards and 36 solo tackles. On aggregate, the Crusaders have the young pieces to replace him, but he was the go-to guy when Christ the King needed a key play last year.</p>   <p><strong>Caleb Comford</strong> | LB- Comford's inclusion is evidence that the Crusaders are in remarkable shape on both sides of the ball. He made some plays last year, but was still just the seventh-leading tackler on the defense. The Crusaders have guys ready to step in at linebacker and fill the void.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Ehret managed the offense well last year, but he has more to give the team and could take a big step forward in 2026. A two-year starter, Ehret's yardage actually dropped last season, but he made smarter decisions and fewer mistakes. He's a calm, veteran presence behind center and keeps the Crusaders in games, even when things start to get off track.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Casanova is an undersized interior defensive lineman who has a huge impact on not just the running game, but the passing attack, too. He was massive in a close win over Mountain Island Charter last season, with 2.5 sacks in a one-point win. Most of the defensive line returns, so it could be a huge year for both Casanova and that unit as a whole.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Bernicke has been a key defensive contributor the last two seasons, first off the bench in 2024 and then as a starter last season. He can play multiple positions defensively, but he's at his best as a hybrid outside linebacker/slot defender. He was productive last year, finishing with two interceptions and 60 tackles, third on the team.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2>   <p>This team is multiple seasons in the making. Last year, the Crusaders returned 11 starters from a 5-7 team. This year, Christ the King returns 17 starters, including most of its top tacklers and skill position guys. I'm interested to see if Fritz (or someone else) steps up as an every-down running back, and I also think we'll see the Crusaders be more aggressive through the air this season.</p>   <p>There's not much separating the top three or four teams in the Catawba Shores Conference, so with a bit of close-game luck and big seasons from some of its stars, Christ the King could be a conference winner.</p>   <p><em>A special thanks to Christ the King head coach Charlie Jackson for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team.</em><br><br><br></p>

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