Calling My Shot: 3 Upset Picks in Week 3

Week 2 is in the books, and after <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/3-week-2-winners/">plentiful coverage</a> of last week's games, we're turning our attention to the week ahead. Every week, I pick three potential upsets: often teams from lower classes who have the chance to knock off schools from bigger leagues. Last week, I went 1-2, but my one win was a blowout, and the two losses were by a<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/week-2-instant-analysis/"> combined five points</a>.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which Teams Should Be on Upset Alert?</h2>   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>).   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Triton Over Fuquay-Varina</h3>   By the end of the season, calling this an upset might look silly, but at the time of this writing, I think many people would be surprised to see a 3-8 6A team start 3-0 with two wins over bigger schools.   Fuquay-Varina smashed the Hawks last season, 35-0, as Triton barely reached the 100-yard mark. This year, I think it goes differently. Former two-way athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1521147' first='Jamarcus' last='Shaw'] has slowly seen his defensive snaps decrease and his carries increase throughout his career, and it's culminating in a fantastic senior season. He's already over 300 yards for the season, with six rushing touchdowns in two games.   Unlike last year, the Hawks have a legitimate passing attack, and receiver Evan Galicia is less than 80 yards away from exceeding last year's team-leading total. Interior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1658476' first='Tracey' last='Brown'] has elevated his game, as have the rest of the front seven, and it's tough to run on this front.   That may pose an issue for Fuquay-Varina. The Bengals want to run the ball early and often, leaning on junior [player_tooltip player_id='1421052' first='Matthew' last='Ziglar'] as both a between-the-tackles runner and a primary aerial target. It could be low-scoring, and that may give Triton an advantage.    Last time I evaluated Shaw, it was as a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/top-6-johnston-harnett-county-lbs/">top Johnston County linebacker</a>. I held out for a while on the "play this guy on defense" train, but his first two games of senior year have thoroughly convinced me of my error. He's a patient runner who has plenty of raw power and leg drive. He has the endurance and patience to take what the defense gives him for the majority of the game before hitting chunk plays on the ground once the defense has tired.    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Green Level Over Enloe</h3>   This weekend has some fascinating 8A matchups. One in particular that has my attention is Green Level and Enloe. Enloe drew a strong Southeast Raleigh team early, failing to really get the offense going in game one.   Then the Eagles blew out an overmatched Knightdale team in Game 2.   Green Level's offense is clicking. The decision to move athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1853129' first='Derek' last='Monroe'] to quarterback has paid massive dividends, and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1616159' first='Aaron' last='Sadler'] has been unstoppable, as he leads the Gators in rushing (60 yards per game) and receiving (193 yards per game) with five touchdowns. Oh, and he's also leading the team in tackles. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1854294' first='Luc' last='Mohamed'] has 10 tackles and two tackles for loss from his defensive end spot.   Green Level can score, but the Gators are reliant on turnovers to get stops.   That's the key for Enloe. If [player_tooltip player_id='1646740' first='Leo' last='Gorga'] and the Enloe skill players hold onto the ball, the running game should get on track behind a strong offensive line ([player_tooltip player_id='1649248' first='Sam' last='Offor'], [player_tooltip player_id='1649251' first='Noah' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1719965' first='James' last='Jones']), and the Eagles should build momentum towards conference play.   If Mohamed, Monroe, and the Gators' defense can create some havoc, Green Level could be on their way to a strong start.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northwest Cabarrus Over Ashbrook</h3>   This is a tricky one. 6A Ashbrook fell in Week 1 to 8A Palisades, while the "underdog" Trojans enter 2-0.   But any time a 5A squad beats a 6A power on the road—especially one coming off a 12-win season—it's usually an upset, or at least a huge win.   Northwest Cabarrus quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1301805' first='Hudson' last='Irwin'] is a gunlinger with one of the best arms in the entire state. He's "effectively wild" and at his best when he's throwing into tight windows with confidence. That's the type of profile that can excel against a disciplined defense. The running game has improved year-over-year, with Nate Jones and Braxton Bashaw each averaging over 75 yards per game.   Senior edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1332130' first='Josiah' last='Mitchell'] has elevated his game this year, and he's already matched his career high in sacks with three in two games. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1971581' first='Zack' last='Riddle'] is a tackling machine who is a disciplined run defender.   Defenses have to be disciplined against Ashbrook's rushing attack, or the two-headed backfield monster of senior [player_tooltip player_id='378966' first='Savion' last='Lindsay'] and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2371244' first='Messiah' last='Patterson'] will pick them apart. Patterson is one of the most explosive freshmen we've scouted, and he's averaging nearly 10 yards per carry.   Like Irwin, Ashbrook quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain'] is a home run hitter.   Given that these offenses are more explosive than efficient, this one could come down to a couple of big, momentum-shifting plays. The team that connects on one or two more long throws will likely win.   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.

Week 2 is in the books, and after plentiful coverage of last week's games, we're turning our attention to the week ahead. Every week, I pick three potential upsets: often teams from lower classes who have the chance to knock off schools from bigger leagues. Last week, I went 1-2, but my one win was a blowout, and the two losses were by a combined five points.