Calling My Shot: 3 Potential Week 1 Upsets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our countdown skipped a day as plenty of teams decided to move games to Thursday, away from potential weather issues on Friday. That means that as of this writing, we're one day away from the start of the 2026 North Carolina high school football season. Here's what I hope will become a fun weekly piece. Let's predict three potential Week 1 upsets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Teams Should Be on Upset Alert</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: (Thankfully) we don't have betting lines or listed favorites. Later in the year, it will be easier to define upsets. For now, I'm picking teams that most people seem to think will lose. If you think I picked a winner that wouldn't be considered an upset, or if you just think I'm wrong, let me know on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Richmond Senior Over Hoggard</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm a huge fan of this Richmond Senior squad, and I think the Raiders could turn heads in a <a href="https://x.com/whelms21/status/2089763763012464916?s=20">competitive 7A class</a>. The defense is loaded.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687751' first='Ty' last='Covington']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687750' first='CJ' last='Covington']</strong> lead a strong secondary, while linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2220835' first='Camron' last='Coley']</strong> is an emerging star. Fellow linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678646' first='Alijah' last='Flowers']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169841' first='Elijah' last='Ingram']</strong> excel against the run and thrive in pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That back seven could be key against a strong Hoggard passing attack. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678657' first='Matthew' last='Boring']</strong> gets his top two targets back in 2026: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1969801' first='Micah' last='Hunter']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1865522' first='Desyn' last='Durand']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Richmond team matches up well with the Vikings. The defensive backs should be able to somewhat slow the Vikings' star receivers, while a strong Richmond offensive line and rushing attack neutralize Hoggard's pass rush. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoggard won this one by seven at home last year, but I think Richmond can get it done at its place on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Also See: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/3-cross-state-games-to-watch-in-week-1/">3 Cross-State Matchups To Watch</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Page Over Charlotte Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When these teams played last year, Charlotte Christian had little trouble downing the Pirates. I think the tables may turn this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page returns its top three receivers and four of five leading tacklers. The defense was young last season, but still allowed fewer than 20 points per game. It should be even better this year, with linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='870039' first='Jesse' last='Poole']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='529092' first='Wyatt' last='Wade Harty']</strong> and edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1952275' first='Preston' last='Burnette']</strong> back. Two-way star&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424705' first='Zion' last='Malloy']</strong> leads the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Pirates are excited about transfer quarterback and Gardner-Webb commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897127' first='Javion' last='Majette']</strong>. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2167325' first='Kasai' last='Poindexter']</strong> is dangerous with the ball in his hands, and the Pirates have plenty of guys who can make you miss in the open field. Majette is a true dual threat who ran for over 600 yards last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charlotte Christian loses a lot, including a 1,400-yard rusher, 2,500-yard passer, and top three receivers. The defense also loses its top five tacklers. I'm a fan of linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339513' first='MJ' last='Barrow']</strong>, who had nine sacks and 62 tackles last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights should find their football by the midseason point, but it's a tough start to a year in which they'll play a bunch of new starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garner Over Millbrook</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't think I'm ready to say definitively that I think Garner will hand Millbrook its first regular-season loss in a season or a half, but the Trojans have the firepower to do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy']</strong> leads a veteran offense that returns most of its key pieces and adds transfers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1680041' first='Ziyeir' last='Leach']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='563219' first='Greyson' last='Mosley']</strong> to the mix. I think the Trojans may find another offensive gear in the underneath passing game to complement its power-rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense, led by Miami commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle']</strong> at linebacker and edge rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2102334' first='Derek' last='Taylor']</strong>, will trot out several new but experienced starters. If that unit can get some stops, Garner has a real chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millbrook quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='485965' first='Bryson' last='Gray']</strong> is poised for a huge year, but he's coming off a finger injury and hasn't played in any preseason scrimmages. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263702' first='Santonis' last='Wright']</strong> leads a rushing attack that loses its top back. If the Wildcats can move the ball consistently on the ground, their defense should make things hard enough on the Trojans to grind out a win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But there's a viable path to victory for the Trojans. We don't get to say that often about Millbrook's opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><em>Which other potential upsets need to be on our radar? Let me know on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>). Lock in on Prep Redzone for more preview content.</em></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->