Most Improved NCISAA Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in the midst of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/behind-the-scenes-of-the-2028-rankings-spring/">rankings content</a>, but we still have one eye on the season. One of my favorite types of articles to write is when we get to look at teams as a whole, breaking down their strengths and weaknesses. Here, I'm looking at the Independent schools in the state, with the three most improved teams in the NCISAA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Most Improved Teams in NCISAA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether through transfers, coaching changes, or good, old-fashioned player development, teams that improve year over year put themselves in a position to compete. Here are the three most improved teams in the NCISAA (in my opinion).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cannon School Cougars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without a doubt, Cannon School is the most improved team in the NCISAA. In fact, the Cougars were my inspiration for this piece.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars overhauled the offense with transfers and have gone from one player in the top 150 of any class in our rankings to five in the top 150, including three in the top 51 of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/north-carolina/rankings/2028-rankings/">2028 rankings</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Former Concord offensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616131' first='Andrew' last='Lane']</strong> moves over to Cannon, as does former Northwest Cabarrus star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616134' first='Titus' last='Troy']</strong> at running back. They also added former Butler linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616142' first='Lej'end' last='Lockwood']</strong> to anchor the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returners <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616140' first='Lucas' last='Lopez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2092465' first='Jaiden' last='Colon']</strong> are each a year older, while defensive backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743760' first='Kei'mar' last='Ford']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149032' first='Marcus' last='Sales']</strong> were excellent last season. The emergence of more quality closer to the line of scrimmage should only help those two. Finally, we just saw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1692741' first='Jackson' last='Laws']</strong> at our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/prep-redzone-north-carolina-exposure-camp-winners/">Prep Redzone Showcase</a>. He was among the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/scouting-the-2027-sack-leaders/">state sack leaders</a>, and with several other returners on the defensive line, that unit is likely to be even better, regardless of whether Laws matches last year's output.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Charlotte Latin Hawks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply by virtue of returning talented players after an offseason to get bigger and stronger, Charlotte Latin should be better next season. Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1308876' first='Troy' last='Logan']</strong>, leading rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='733520' first='Dejon' last='Douglas']</strong>, and top receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607852' first='Anthony' last='McGill']</strong> all return, something most teams across the state can't say.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense is more of a question mark, but given the way some of the younger guys played last season, that unit should be okay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks started the year 7-0 before facing a brutal end-of-year schedule and dropping four straight, including a close loss to rivals Country Day and a playoff loss to Cannon, four weeks after winning in the regular season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, they should be a bit better, and on the margins, that could mean a deeper playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">SouthLake Christian Eagles</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things went sideways for SouthLake Christian last season, but the Eagles are a talented team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1321016' first='Cameron' last='Gandy']</strong> recently picked up an FCS offer from Wofford, and he gets his top receiver back in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1613651' first='Thomas' last='Jenkins']</strong>. Jenkins missed most of last season with a broken collarbone, actually returning with a massive 200-yard game late in the season. Gandy threw for nearly 60% of his total season yardage in the four games Jenkins played (and the Eagles went 2-2 in those, 1-6 in the seven without him). I'd expect both to have huge seasons that actually move the needle for the Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616117' first='John' last='Balcerzak']</strong> is picking up momentum on the recruiting trail as a defensive back, and he anchors a promising defense. Expect the Eagles to be better in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Promo code Helms30 will get them 30% off their first billing cycle for any subscription.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->