5 Under-the-Radar State Championship Contenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's been a lot of talk about the dominance of some of the state's reigning champions. I'll admit, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/monday-musings-week-2/">I've been a part</a> of some of that dialogue. It's certainly worth talking about the hot starts that teams like Providence Day, Crest, Grimsley, and Hough have gotten off to. But we want to go deeper. Here are five teams that you may not know are playing like state championship contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential State-Championship Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">T.C. Roberson (6A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I should have written about the Rams last week before they blew out the reigning 6A champions. I've slow-played the Rams, waiting to see what they look like before naming them contenders, but there's no question a wide-open 6A class is on watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be the best collection of skill talent in the class. The addition of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953538' first='Tristan' last='Thompson-Wynn']</strong> from Brevard can't be overstated, while quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112656' first='Karod' last='Harris']</strong> and running back <strong>Mooka Simpson</strong> have combined for 275 yards on the ground in two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the defense, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1953563' first='Tariq' last='Sibert']</strong>, continues to play well, Roberson might be the favorite in the west.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Corvian Community (2A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Corvian has traditionally had plenty of talent that hasn't all come together down the stretch. That may change this year. A 2-0 start after wins over Asheville School and Independence is a heck of a start. The lightbulb has seemingly come on for top quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2003772' first='Tyson' last='Douglas-Brown']</strong>, who has over 500 total yards in two games. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2365798' first='Desmond' last='Walker']</strong> is providing a steady rushing presence that the Cardinals sometimes lacked last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is predictably elite. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607751' first='Nathanael' last='Kamba']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1353067' first='Jesiah' last='Fields']</strong> have taken steps forward in terms of on-field production, while freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1705246' first='Collin' last='Jeffries']</strong> looks like an elite talent. Since Tarboro usually wins in the trenches, Corvian has a team that can match up there, should they eventually meet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">J.H. Rose (6A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rampants look good to start the year, and it's scary to think that they'll likely keep getting better. I don't think the passing offense has fully clicked yet, though <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2264327' first='Kasyn' last='Chase']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678644' first='Shammah' last='Cabell']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1852705' first='Jaleek' last='Parson']</strong>, and <strong>Daran Bell</strong> have all flashed at receiver. <strong>Chase Davis</strong> hasn't made many mistakes, either. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm more impressed with the defense. We knew the secondary would be good, but the run defense has been surprisingly stellar. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702575' first='Makai' last='Gibbs']</strong> has been fantastic against the run while flashing some pass-rush prowess. Expect this Rose team to continue to get better, and three straight non-conference games against top teams should both prepare them and give us an idea of how good the Rampants can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Davidson (1A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the schedule is certainly part of the reason the Wildcats are off to a faster start than some of their peers, they're also playing really good ball. The emergence of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2365778' first='Kayden' last='Abernathy']</strong> as a true threat at running back has been big for the Wildcats. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2365785' first='Caden' last='Wagner']</strong> has two interceptions and has flashed as a big-play threat on offense. Last year's season ended abruptly in the playoffs, but they've got some talent built for a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hibriten (4A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hibriten fell just short in the state quarterfinals last year, but the Panthers are off to a hot start. The senior duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1623147' first='Grady' last='Beam']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607912' first='Elan' last='Lipford']</strong> has the Panthers in every game. They've put together a strong connection on offense, and Beam is fourth on the team in tackles as well. It's been a team effort on offense, as nine different players have scored touchdowns in the first two games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623147"],"_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-6a95b0b11bfde"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beam is a two-way player we have ranked primarily as a defensive back, but he's putting together a fantastic season as a receiver. He has three straight 70-yard receiving games dating back to last season, after one such game in his first 12 as an offensive starter. He has the speed to stretch the field. He's also shown himself to be a reliable player on both sides, rarely dropping a ball or missing a tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>We'll have more on Week 2 throughout the week, and we'll move to Week 3 on Wednesday. What did we miss? Who needs to be highlighted? We'll continue to look ahead to the playoffs, too. Help us help players, and let me know on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->