Calling My Shot: 3 Upset Picks in Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 3 is in the books, and after plenty of coverage, we're moving on to Week 4. Every week, I pick three potential upsets: often teams from lower classes who have the chance to knock off schools from bigger leagues. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/calling-my-shot-3-upset-picks-in-week-3/">Last week</a> wasn't my best, but I did hit on one of my three picks. Let's look at three potential upsets in Week 4.</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">Ashbrook Over Marvin Ridge</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook has my attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been impressed by Marvin Ridge, too, and I'm interested to see how the Mavericks respond if they see adversity. The Marvin Ridge offense is getting the headlines, but the defense has quietly made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Mavericks haven't forced many turnovers, and if Ashbrook can find an offensive rhythm, the Greenwave have a chance. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='738731' first='AJ' last='McClain']</strong> has done a great job of making smart decisions as both a runner and passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rushing attack has been fantastic. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378966' first='Savion' last='Lindsay']</strong> has a running mate now in explosive freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2371244' first='Messiah' last='Patterson']</strong>. McClain's gotten in on the action, averaging almost nine yards per carry. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2203852' first='Braylon' last='Smith']</strong> has just seven catches but four touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005380' first='Santana' last='Leach']</strong> leads the team in tackles and has two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1429533' first='Evan' last='Culicerto']</strong>, <strong>Zane Schumaker</strong>, and the Marvin Ridge defense may make life hard on the Ashbrook offense. That said, there are enough playmakers who can make a guy miss and get to the open field to make it interesting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Burns Over Lincolnton</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is a 4A over 3A win really an upset? I say so, and I think the Bulldogs have a decent chance to upset an elite 3A Lincolnton team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, Lincolnton has the edge. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1678610' first='Rashad' last='Lynch']</strong> has been predictably stellar this year as a dual-threat quarterback. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421082' first='RJ' last='Lynch']</strong> remains one of the best gadget guys in the state (He can run a full route tree as well, but the Wolves try to get him the ball any way they can). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1690851' first='Messiah' last='Thompson']</strong> has proven to be an excellent second option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Burns has the team build to give the Wolves trouble. Star running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608319' first='Max' last='Davis']</strong> is fresh. Last year, he scored three touchdowns against the Wolves, and he's coming off a 134-yard game on just six carries. Receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147485' first='Jorian' last='Ussery']</strong> has stepped up his game in 2026, and the Bulldogs have a couple of talented offensive linemen, led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2117497' first='Gage' last='Camp']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burns has the offense that can wear down a defense, and a defense that can steal possessions via takeaways. The Bulldogs have five interceptions and six forced fumbles this year. I don't foresee many punts in this one, and if the turnover luck goes Burns' way, the Bulldogs can score enough to scare Lincolnton. Defenders <strong>Markalan Camp</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2214299' first='Antavious' last='Stroud']</strong> could have big games, but I am interested to see how the secondary holds up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asheville School Over Asheville</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Believe it or not, the two Asheville powers have rarely played in recent seasons, with Asheville winning the only contest of the 2020s last year, 39-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Asheville School looks better than I've seen them in a while, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's not to say the Cougars don't look dangerous. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1970953' first='Tayvion' last='Williams']</strong>, running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1852696' first='Clement' last='Davidson']</strong>, and receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2112651' first='Jam' last='Skyes']</strong> form one of the top offensive skill trios in Western North Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the next team to slow <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1728224' first='Shiloh' last='Mukendi']</strong> will be the first. The massive back has been running roughshod through defenses. He's over halfway to last year's yardage total, and we've yet to really see him be used as a receiver this year. When he needs a breather, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2099452' first='Gianluca' last='Frangipane']</strong> has stepped in admirably. Both are contributing defensively, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The path to victory is to force Tay Williams into some hurried throws. The Blues have six interceptions this year. Williams has never been one to shy away from a tough throw, and I think we'll learn a lot about him in this one. The Blues have some size in the middle, too, in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2243284' first='Anton' last='Oladejo']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm very interested to see how the Asheville secondary tackles in this one. I like all of Skyes, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105268' first='Savion' last='Caldwell']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2113386' first='Christian' last='Nesby']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048431' first='Kaydan' last='Whiteside']</strong> as cover guys. Can they be physical against the run?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regardless of whether I'm right here or not, I'm excited for this matchup.</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 -->