Metro 6A/7A 2026 Conference Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's preview season, and we've already covered over 25 schools and conferences from across the state. In our conference previews, we're not just breaking down the top players, but also the sleepers and storylines heading into the season. Here, we're looking at the Metro 6A/7A Conference, a conference with a clear favorite, but plenty of talent dispersed throughout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*Use promo code Helms30 at checkout to get 30% off your first billing cycle*</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 6A/7A Conference Preview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospects</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Metro 6A/7A Conference has plenty of talent, and while Grimsley holds the majority of it, there are some other college-bound players, as well. Here are the seven highest-ranked recruits in the conference:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vermont Carmack</strong> | WR/TE | Dudley<br><strong>Andrew Rogers</strong> | Edge | Grimsley<br><strong>Gavin Milton</strong> | OL | Grimsley<br><strong>Ty Shoemake</strong> | RB | Grimsley<br><strong>EJ Davis</strong> | DB | Grimsley<br><strong>Saimair Horton</strong> | Ath. | Dudley<br><strong>Brody Lowe</strong> | QB | Grimsley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Obviously, the bulk of the recruiting talent is on Grimsley, who will once again (spoiler) be heavy favorites in the conference. There are other highly ranked players elsewhere in the conference, some of whom aren't listed here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Sleepers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2078038"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecce2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Would Wardlaw be a sleeper if he played for any other team? Probably not, but it's easy to miss him when he's playing across from an FBS commit and in front of three others. He's coming off back-to-back seasons with 19 tackles for loss, and he's flashed as an elite, hard-working pass rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2239047"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecd91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite its record last season, Smith's defense is young and talented. Baskerville looks like the next in a long line of talented interior defensive tackle prospects. He led the team with 11 tackles for loss last season, and he can both hold up offensive linemen to make space for his linebackers and make plays himself in the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104572"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaece23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's perhaps a little harsh to label the well-established Jones as a sleeper, but compared to some of the other top prospects in the area, he seems to slide a bit under the radar. He's a long, athletic defensive back who can play multiple positions. He probably doesn't get enough credit from stat-watchers who see that he didn't have an interception last year. That said, he's one of the best coverage safeties you'll find, and he's not afraid to come down and hit in the box, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2238576"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaeceaa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore has flown under the radar, despite being one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the area. While still developing as a passer, he's electric as a runner, putting up over 600 yards as a junior on the ground. He's improved with his ball security both through the air, and with the ball in his hands, and if that trajectory continues, Western Guilford could have a great season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["529092"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecf00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harty flies under the radar despite being one of the better linebackers in the conference. He missed time in the middle of last season and came back a completely different player, with 33 tackles and three for loss in his final four games. Expect a "breakout" year from the junior in the sense that he could hit the mainstream radar with a big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Other Breakout Candidates To Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Cooper</strong> | WR | Grimsley- Two things of note here: Grimsley's receiving corps will be awfully young in 2026. But, none of the coaching staff is worried. There will be a breakout star in this receiver group, whether it's Cooper (who missed most of last season with injury), rising sophomore <strong>Jordan Davis</strong>, or someone else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Burnette</strong> | Edge | Page- Burnette isn't the biggest edge rusher, but he's relentless. The Page defense returns several key pieces, and added some more via transfer. Expect a huge year from Burnette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emmanuel Martin</strong> | Ath. | Southwest Guilford- Martin has flown under the radar largely due to a lack of consistent team success, but he's one of the best players in the conference. He led the Cowboys in passing, rushing, and tackles last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 6A/7A Conference Player of the Year Picks</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1048930"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecf4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grimsley keeps reloading at quarterback, and an injury to our top quarterback in the 2026 class last year makes Lowe a known commodity. Lowe navigated the season as the state's top freshman starter, giving way for the final playoff push. Now, it's his team, and the lefty has high expectations. Though quiet, he's a true team leader, with excellent accuracy, arm strength, and decision making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2165782"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecf94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We typically see a big jump from sophomore to junior year with quarterbacks, as that's often when everything starts to come together, both physically and mentally. Late last season, Stevenson started to flash some of his potential, and if he takes a big step forward this year, Ragsdale should move up in the pecking order of the conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897127"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaecfd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dynamic athlete, Majette transferred over to Page from Eastern Guilford this offseason. There, he threw for 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 600 yards and 15 scores on the ground. He's improved his accuracy every season, and has some playmakers to worth with at Page. We could see a huge jump, given the transformation he's had in the weight room over the last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1953561"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a5644eaed01a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">MVP doesn't have to be a quarterback award, and Dudley has the defense to cause every team in the conference issues. Between Cotton, Southern Guilford transfer <strong>NaShon Overby</strong>, and <strong>Zayden Carter</strong>, the Dudley defensive line should wreak plenty of havoc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Metro 6A/7A Conference Predicted Order of Finish</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-grimsley/">Grimsley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-dudley/">Dudley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-page/">Page</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-ragsdale/">Ragsdale</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-western-guilford/">Western Guilford</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/metro-6a-7a-preview-ben-l-smith/">Ben L. Smith</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/metro-6a-7a-preview-southwest-guilford/">Southwest Guilford</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><em>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&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our preseason survey</a></em>.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->