3 Potential Round 2 Upsets: 5A-8A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've written some upset pieces throughout the year with mixed results. For those, I had to essentially base the term on vibes. I was the one picking the upsets, but I was also the one determining if those upsets should be considered upsets. In the playoffs, it's different. Teams have numbers next to their names, and though RPI can be crazy, the more deserving team is typically the higher seed, and thus the home team and projected favorite. But we know the playoffs bring crazy results. Here are three potential upset picks in the upper classifications (5A-8A)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Upper-Classification Upsets: Round 2</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 12 Ashbrook Over No. 5 Mount Tabor (6A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I always look for second-tier teams in brutal conferences when doing these upset pieces. While both Ashbrook and Mount Tabor have six wins, they got there in different ways. Mount Tabor played tough non-conference teams, then dominated a somewhat easier conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashbrook was 5-5 in the regular season, losing to three state title contenders (Kings Mountain, Crest, South Point) and losing by close margins to 7A Marvin Ridge and 8A Palisades. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Greenwave are really, really talented, and a 12-seed is probably a bit harsh. Senior <strong>AJ McClain</strong> had four touchdowns on just 18 attempts last week, while freshman running back <strong>Messiah Patterson</strong> has become a true weapon down the stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2005380"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af324ac4cecd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore Santana Leach has grown into his own as a player this season. Originally in our 2029 rankings as an athlete, he's found a home as a speed rusher off the edge. He disrupts the pocket and can cause big plays. I think Leach plays a huge part in a second-round matchup with Mount Tabor, and if he can create some havoc or force a turnover, the Ashbrook offense has the firepower to make the Spartans pay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 11 Mooresville Over No. 6 Marvin Ridge</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similarly, Mooresville is an 11-seed because of a brutal non-conference slate, not a lack of talent. The Blue Devils started 0-4 before rattling off six wins in their last seven.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense has gotten hot, and they'll go as their talented quarterback does (more on that in a minute. They'll face a talented, veteran Marvin Ridge team in a battle of top quarterbacks. The Mavericks' <strong>Levi Kerr</strong> has been outstanding this season, and the Marvin Ridge defense is a veteran group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, I think Mooresville has the receiver talent to challenge the Marvin Ridge defense. <strong>Tyler Myers</strong> and <strong>Chanse Bost</strong> are the top two options, but <strong>Coby Wise-Smith</strong> came on strong in conference play as a third option. If the Blue Devils can hit some explosives, they'll have a great chance to pull off the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1604676"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af35b465946e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Michalak, unsurprisingly, is vital to Mooresville's potential postseason success. He worked through some mechanical tweaks and adjusted to a new offense early in the year, but exploded in conference play. Even in a loss to Lake Norman, Michalak continued to show growth and displayed his talent, with a career high in rushing against the Wildcats. The running game was working in the first round against South Iredell, and Michalak added another rushing score and a long touchdown pass late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">No. 7 Leesville Road Over No. 2 Apex Friendship</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel like I have to take the Pride in the second round after predicting them to make the regional final in my "<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/11/10-bold-playoff-predictions/">10 Bold Predictions</a>" piece, but I really do feel that they have the talent to make a run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pride added top quarterback <strong>Ethan Esmailian</strong> in the middle of the year, but I actually don't think he's the biggest key in this one. I'm interested to see if Leesville Road can run the ball consistently against a stout Apex Friendship front led by edge rusher <strong>Aidan Salz</strong> and Central Michigan linebacker commit <strong>Tyler Goebbel</strong>. The guy leading that charge on offense is workhorse <strong>Donovan Best</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the key is Leesville Road's dynamic (and ascending) edge rusher duo: Junior <strong>Wyatt Gardner</strong> and freshman <strong>Major Howell</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Player:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2184175"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af3733901011"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gardner first hit our radar after dominating at our Prep Redzone Exposure Camp in May. He has excellent length, bend, and get-off, arguably the top three traits necessary for a top edge rusher. He's one of several talented defensive linemen on the Leesville Road squad, and when he's at his best, the defense is a tough unit. Apex Friendship's offense is capable of moving up and down the field, but when teams generate pressure, the Patriots are prone to turnovers. If Gardner has a big game on Friday, Leesville Road will probably pull off the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>There's plenty to come from Matt Morrow, Zane Rowland, and me on the playoffs over the next month. Stay locked in with Prep Redzone for more insights, evaluations, and rankings updates. Want to get in front of our Prep Redzone scouts? Sign up for our <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2586/register/stock-up-showcase-carolinas">Stock Up Showcase</a>. Use code <strong>SUHelms25OFF</strong> for 25% off registration.</em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/app/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->