Calling My Shot: 3 Potential Week 2 Upsets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 is in the books, and we had <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/monday-musings-3-things-from-week-1/">plenty of coverage</a> from the season-opening week. We're moving on to Week 2, and as I do every Wednesday, I'm calling my shot on potential upsets. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/calling-my-shot-3-potential-week-1-upsets/">Last week</a>, I had mixed (mostly incorrect) results, as Millbrook blew out Garner and Hoggard held Richmond Senior at bay. My one successful pick was Page over Charlotte Christian. In hindsight, I think Page is probably just the better team.</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 understand which picks would be actual 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">Warren County Over J.F. Webb</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one's tough because I like Webb a lot. That said, I was highly impressed with Warren County last year, and I think the Eagles have a shot at the rare 2A over 5A upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles' defensive line, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='901324' first='Mekhi' last='Chavis']</strong> and newcomer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2346586' first='Thaddeus' last='Henderson']</strong> lived in the backfield last week against a Vance County team that should have a good running game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2346592' first='Kahlil' last='Townsend']</strong> broke out last week with a huge day at running back, showing an explosive quality that the Warren County offense lacked at times last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148877' first='Amir' last='Gamble']</strong> adds a steady presence at running back, too, while two-way athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2007898' first='Cameron' last='Giddings']</strong> looked great.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of explosive, Webb's offense exploded in Week 1. If <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2247000' first='Alijah' last='Kinton']</strong> finds space and comes anywhere close to the 24 yards per carry he had last week, this prediction is moot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webb's pass defense is elite, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2144188' first='Jaylen' last='Gill']</strong> leads a pass rush that created plenty of pressure last week, helping force four interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But I think Warren County has some pieces in the trenches to negate Webb's best two position groups (defensive line and running back). If this game gets ugly, the Eagles have a real shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tarboro Over Hunt</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can it be an upset if I pick a team that has won 27-straight games? Maybe, maybe not. I just really, really wanted to preview this one, and I'm not writing anything about the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/what-we-learned-in-week-one-for-the-252/">252</a> this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tarboro is in a "rebuilding year" (ha), but looked quite sharp in Week 1, running for 500 yards on a very good 6A Northern Nash team. This week, they play the other top team in the Big East 5A/6A conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2092909' first='Antonio' last='Draughn']</strong> was everything we thought he could be when we named him to the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/preseason-all-breakout-offense/">All-Breakout Offense</a>, running for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, while adding six tackles on defense. We put his teammate, defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1696871' first='Emmanuel' last='DeBerry']</strong>, on the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/preseason-all-breakout-defense/">All-Breakout Defense</a>, and DeBerry started the year with four tackles for loss. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2092906' first='Carmello' last='Bullock']</strong> led the team in tackles and added some yardage on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt's biggest advantage is its pass rush, led by edge rushers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1610537' first='Randy' last='James']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2113127' first='Nicholas' last='Bynum']</strong>. <strong>Mex Harris</strong> lived up to his billing as one of the best athletes in the state, throwing for 150 yards, running for 150 yards, and picking off a pass for the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunt has a ton of team speed, talent, and depth in the trenches, and a disciplined defense. But Tarboro's offense gets everybody. The question is whether the Vikings can get some stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Oak Grove Over Reagan</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To be honest, I'm not confident about this one, because I don't have a great read on Oak Grove. That said, I think the Grizzlies present the type of matchup that could challenge the Raiders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reagan wants to rely on its defense and control the ball. But teams with strong defenses can give them issues. If the Raiders can't pick up two to three first downs per drive and win the field position game, an opponent can get them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106598' first='Bradley' last='Byrd']</strong> is off to a hot start at linebacker for the Grizzlies after eight tackles in the opener. Can he, <strong>Cooper Hunt</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2240689' first='Marquis' last='Cody']</strong>, and the rest of the Oak Grove front shut down <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.']</strong> and the Reagan running game? If so, the Raiders will need <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2127005' first='Eli' last='Davis']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='668586' first='Antonio' last='Kelly Jr.']</strong>, and the rest of the playmakers at receiver to make things happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless of the outcome, I think I'll have a better idea about the respective ceilings of these two teams after this game. Expect a low-scoring, few-possession slugfest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->