UNC Pembroke football rallies from 13-point halftime deficit to upset No. 19 Wingate, 21-13

PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke delivered a season-opening statement Thursday night, rallying from a 13-point halftime deficit to knock off No. 19 Wingate 21-13 at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. After a slow start and a weather-delayed opening half, the Braves controlled the final two quarters, leaned on long possessions, and finished the comeback with a defensive touchdown in the closing minutes.

Wingate took command before halftime behind a second-quarter surge. The Bulldogs broke through with 6:32 left in the period, putting together a 10-play, 83-yard drive that ended when Brooks Brien found Aaron Griffin for a 15-yard touchdown. Although the extra point was missed, Wingate had the first momentum swing of the night. The Bulldogs added to it after a short field, moving 36 yards in six plays before Ethan Wallace scored from a yard out with 1:12 remaining. Mason Suber’s kick pushed the lead to 13-0, and Pembroke’s final chance before the break ended with a missed 49-yard field goal as time expired.

The game turned after halftime. Wingate opened the third quarter with a promising march to the Pembroke 12, but Suber missed a 29-yard field goal, leaving the Bulldogs empty on a chance to make it a three-score game. UNC Pembroke answered with the kind of drive that changed the tone of the night: 15 plays, 80 yards and more than nine minutes off the clock. Quarterback Josh Ehrlich carried the series both through the air and on the ground, eventually forcing his way into the end zone from one yard out on fourth down. Jared Navidad’s extra point trimmed the deficit to 13-7 and gave the Braves life heading into the final stretch.

Pembroke’s defense then tightened the game completely. Wingate managed just 63 yards on 23 second-half offensive plays, and the Braves repeatedly forced the Bulldogs into uncomfortable passing situations. Meanwhile, the Pembroke offense stayed patient. A drive that began late in the third quarter continued deep into the fourth, eventually covering 71 yards in 16 plays and consuming 8:50. Ehrlich kept the chains moving, including a key fourth-down sequence aided by a Wingate roughing-the-passer penalty, before finding Jake Davids for a six-yard touchdown. Navidad’s kick gave UNC Pembroke its first lead, 14-13, with 7:31 to play.

From there, the Braves protected the margin with defense and field position. Wingate reached midfield on its next possession but turned the ball over on downs at the Pembroke 48. The Braves were forced to punt, giving the Bulldogs one more opportunity with 1:50 left at their own 20. Ten seconds later, Myles Hudson delivered the decisive play, intercepting Brien and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six stretched the lead to 21-13 and capped Pembroke’s 21 unanswered points.

Wingate still had one final possession and moved to its own 43 after a pass interference penalty, but Pembroke’s secondary finished the job. Four straight incompletions, including a fourth-down breakup, sealed the win and ended the Bulldogs’ comeback bid.

Statistically, the game was tight, but Pembroke controlled the details that mattered most. The Braves outgained Wingate 216-204, held a 16-14 edge in first downs and dominated time of possession, 37:59 to 22:01. Ehrlich completed 20 of 31 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown while adding 69 net rushing yards and another score. Avery Curtis was his most frequent target, catching 11 passes for 49 yards, while Davids supplied the go-ahead touchdown reception.

For Wingate, Wallace led the offense with 86 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Brien threw for 68 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bulldogs’ defense had strong individual efforts, including nine tackles from Tyson Brown and 3.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks from David Squires, but three turnovers and a scoreless second half proved costly. UNC Pembroke, meanwhile, opened the season 1-0 by ending a six-game skid against Wingate and earning a ranked win built on resilience, ball control and a closing defensive flourish.

Fayetteville State football rallies past Shaw 33-20 in 2026 season opener

FAYETTEVILLE, NC — Fayetteville State spent the opening half chasing Shaw. By the end of the night, the Broncos had turned special teams and defense into the difference in a 33-20 season-opening win Saturday at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

Shaw built a 12-0 lead and appeared to have Fayetteville State on its heels, but the Broncos flipped the game before halftime with two unusual scoring plays. Fayetteville State’s first points came after a blocked extra-point attempt, which Terrell Ford ran back 100 yards for a defensive two-point conversion. Late in the second quarter, the Broncos added another two points when Shaw’s punt attempt went out of the back of the end zone for a safety, cutting the Bears’ lead to 12-11 at the break.

Those plays changed the feel of the opener. Shaw controlled much of the early action, but Fayetteville State stayed within reach without needing its offense to carry the full comeback. Once the Broncos found rhythm after halftime, they scored 16 points in the third quarter and took control.

Shaw struck first when Trey Thorpe scored on a 10-yard run, giving the Bears a 6-0 lead after the missed extra point. The Bears extended the margin in the second quarter on Alexander Marsh’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Keyshaun Powell. But the conversion attempt turned into Fayetteville State’s first momentum swing, with Ford’s return making it 12-2 instead of 13-0.

Fayetteville State’s offense then produced its first touchdown late in the half. Jamir Dismukes led an 11-play, 60-yard drive and finished it with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Parker with one minute left in the second quarter. John Hernandez-Vargas added the extra point, and the Broncos trailed only 12-9.

Shaw’s next possession moved backward, and the Broncos cashed in again without the offense touching the ball. The Bears were backed up near their goal line when the punt attempt resulted in a safety with 25 seconds left, sending Fayetteville State into halftime down by a single point.

Fayetteville State took the lead for good on the opening possession of the third quarter. Braylon Vinson, who led the Broncos with 88 rushing yards on 21 carries, capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Hernandez-Vargas’ extra point made it 18-12, giving the Broncos their first lead.

The Broncos kept building from there. Dismukes broke loose for a 29-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, stretching the lead to 24-12. Hernandez-Vargas later added a 34-yard field goal, pushing the margin to 27-12 after Fayetteville State’s third scoring drive of the quarter.

Dismukes finished 14 of 20 for 144 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also rushed for 56 yards and a score on 10 carries, helping Fayetteville State finish with 292 total yards. Marcus Fleming led the Broncos’ receivers with three catches for 43 yards, while Unique Kelly added four receptions for 41 yards.

Shaw made one last push in the fourth quarter with a long, methodical drive. Landon Melton finished a 19-play, 75-yard march with a three-yard touchdown run, and Marsh completed the two-point try to Antrel Gibson to cut Fayetteville State’s lead to 27-20 with 7:26 remaining.

But Fayetteville State’s defense had the final answer. With Shaw trying to drive late, Zyking Patillo intercepted Marsh and returned it for a touchdown with 1:38 left. Hernandez-Vargas’ extra point attempt was missed, but the defensive score gave the Broncos a 33-20 lead and effectively sealed the opener.

Shaw finished with 216 total yards and was held to 7-of-22 passing. Marsh completed seven of 20 passes for 81 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Thorpe led the Bears with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Fabian Diggs added 41 yards on eight attempts.

Fayetteville State’s defense repeatedly put Shaw behind schedule, recording seven sacks and holding the Bears to 5 of 16 on third down. Osirus Rhodes and Joseph Woodard each finished with six tackles, while Christopher Gordon had five tackles and one sack.

The Broncos also overcame 13 penalties for 123 yards, relying on special teams, a sharp third quarter and Patillo’s late defensive touchdown to start the season with a CIAA win. For a program picked third in the conference preseason poll, it was not a clean opener, but it was the kind that showed how many ways Fayetteville State can change a game.

Campbell football beats East Tennessee State 49-37 behind Kamden Sixkiller’s four touchdowns

JOHNSON CITY, TN – Campbell opened its season with the kind of offensive performance that can travel. Behind a huge night from quarterback Kamden Sixkiller, the Camels outlasted East Tennessee State 49-37 on Saturday in a game that featured 1,042 combined yards, 12 scoring drives and a late fourth-quarter answer that finally put the Buccaneers away.

Sixkiller carried Campbell throughout, completing 29 of 42 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also led the Camels on the ground, rushing 10 times for 95 yards and two more scores. His final touchdown, a 14-yard keeper with 1:53 remaining, capped an 82-yard drive and gave Campbell breathing room after ETSU had trimmed the deficit to five.

Campbell never trailed by more than seven and answered nearly every ETSU push with one of its own. Sixkiller started the scoring with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Evan Austin, finishing an eight-play, 75-yard opening drive. ETSU tied it on Max Mims’ 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Weary, but Campbell responded late in the first quarter when Elijah Lawrence scored from three yards out.

The second quarter turned the game into a back-and-forth shootout. ETSU took a 21-14 lead on rushing touchdowns by Jermaine Albritton and Travon Peyton, but Campbell answered with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that Sixkiller finished with a five-yard touchdown run. After an ETSU missed field goal, Campbell moved 64 yards in 1:23 and went back in front on Sixkiller’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Stevie Keener with 25 seconds left in the half.

ETSU still managed to add a 44-yard Ewan Johnson field goal as time expired, cutting Campbell’s halftime lead to 28-24. The score reflected the pace of the first half, when the two teams combined for 527 yards and seven scoring possessions.

Campbell created separation late in the third quarter. Devin Thomas finished a six-play, 65-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, then added a one-yard score early in the fourth after the Camels turned an ETSU fumble into a short field. That touchdown gave Campbell a 42-24 lead, its largest of the game.

ETSU did not go quietly. Mims, who completed 33 of 41 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns, led the Buccaneers back with a fourth-quarter push. Da’Quan Rucker scored on a four-yard run with 10:34 remaining, and Mims later found Brandon Winton for a six-yard touchdown that pulled ETSU within 42-37 with 5:34 left.

That set up the game’s decisive drive. Facing third-and-2 at the Campbell 40, Sixkiller broke free for a 42-yard run to the ETSU 18, flipping the field and draining the clock. Three plays later, he kept the ball again and scored from 14 yards out to restore the 12-point cushion.

Campbell finished with 514 total yards, including 343 passing and 171 rushing. Austin led the receiving group with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown, while Aaryn Tate added 55 yards, Spencer Jones had 49 and Jon Gullette caught seven passes for 43 yards. Keener’s lone touchdown catch gave Campbell a halftime lead it never lost.

The Camels also won the turnover battle, recovering two ETSU fumbles and turning one into points. Caleb Battaglia led Campbell defensively with 12 tackles, including eight solo stops and a forced fumble. Vincent Sheppert added seven tackles and also forced a fumble.

ETSU outgained Campbell 528-514 and had 28 first downs to Campbell’s 24, but the Camels were more efficient in the red zone, finishing 5-for-5 with five touchdowns. Campbell also converted three of four fourth-down attempts and held the ball for 32:53.

For Campbell, the difference was the ability to finish drives and answer late. On a night when neither offense had much trouble moving the ball, Sixkiller’s dual-threat performance gave the Camels the final response they needed.

CHARLOTTESVILLE – NC State opened the 2026 season with a 34-8 loss to Virginia, falling to 0-1 for the first time since 2018. The Wolfpack was shut out in the first half and managed only one touchdown as Virginia built its lead with a steady running game, timely passing and short fields created by NC State turnovers and punts.

The Wolfpack offense struggled from the start, opening with a three-and-out and punting again on its next possession. A tipped pass on another early series became an interception by Brandyn Hillman, giving Virginia the ball at the NC State 32. Four plays later, Xavier Brown scored on a one-yard run.

The sequence put NC State in a 10-0 hole after Virginia had already opened the scoring on Will Bettridge’s 47-yard field goal. The Wolfpack punted again, and the Cavaliers answered with another touchdown when Beau Pribula connected with Brown for a 45-yard score.

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey finished 12 of 23 for 84 yards with one interception and added 33 yards rushing. The Wolfpack generated little through the air, with tight end Vander Ploog’s 21-yard catch standing as the longest completion. Ploog finished with two catches for 35 yards.

Ploog’s biggest play came during NC State’s best first-half opportunity. Trailing 17-0, the Wolfpack converted a third-and-21 and moved to the Virginia one-yard line, but Bailey fumbled on a quarterback run. Virginia recovered, ending NC State’s first trip into the red zone.

NC State entered halftime scoreless for the first time in a season opener since 2009 against South Carolina. The 17-0 deficit reflected a first half in which the Wolfpack reached the Virginia seven-yard line but came away empty.

Virginia widened the margin immediately after halftime. Pribula completed passes to TyLyric Coleman and Kameron Courtney before finding DaShawn Martin for a 47-yard touchdown, capping a three-play, 75-yard drive that made it 24-0.

NC State finally scored on its next extended opportunity. Will Wilson entered at quarterback and finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run after Ploog’s fourth-down reception moved the Wolfpack to the Virginia one. NC State added a two-point conversion pass to Deandre Desinor, cutting the deficit to 24-8.

Wilson provided one of NC State’s few offensive bright spots, rushing six times for 21 yards and the Wolfpack’s only touchdown. Bailey remained NC State’s leading passer, while Jayden Scott added 20 yards on seven carries. The Wolfpack finished with 76 net rushing yards.

No NC State receiver reached 40 yards. Jojo Trader had two catches for 19 yards, Davion Dozier caught two passes for 14 yards and Ploog led the team with 35 receiving yards. The lack of explosive plays left the Wolfpack with few chances to climb out of the early deficit.

The NC State defense faced a heavy workload, especially against the run. Virginia finished with 251 rushing yards on 53 attempts, the most rushing yards NC State had allowed against the Cavaliers since last season’s meeting in Raleigh. It was also the first time since 2020 that the Wolfpack allowed an opponent to run the ball more than 50 times.

Linebacker Popo Aguirre led both teams with 18 tackles, NC State’s highest single-game total since Peyton Wilson recorded 19 against Duke in 2020.

Ronnie Royal III and King Mack each added seven tackles, while Harvey Dyson III and LaCorian Hodge combined for the Wolfpack’s only sack.

Virginia responded to NC State’s touchdown with a 23-play, 75-yard scoring drive that put the game out of reach. The Cavaliers converted three fourth downs during the possession before Xavier Davis scored on a one-yard run.

Bettridge later added a 42-yard field goal, his second of the game, to close the scoring. Virginia scored in every quarter, while NC State scored only in the third.

The final numbers reflected NC State’s offensive struggles. Virginia outgained the Wolfpack 413-168, held an 18-10 edge in first downs and controlled the ball for 38:04 compared with NC State’s 21:56.

NC State punted seven times and committed two turnovers, Bailey’s interception and fumble. Virginia turned both into scoring chances, with the interception leading directly to Brown’s touchdown.

The result also ended several streaks in the series. Virginia beat NC State for the first time since 2012 and won in Charlottesville for the first time since 2006. The Wolfpack still leads the all-time series 38-23-1 and is 4-1 against Virginia under Dave Doeren.

NC State will look for its first win when Richmond visits Carter-Finley Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

DUBLIN – North Carolina opened its 2026 season with a 15-10 victory over TCU at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The Tar Heels leaned on a pair of field goals, a safety and one goal-line rushing touchdown to hold off a TCU offense that controlled the ball for nearly 29 minutes but repeatedly came up empty in scoring position.

The numbers were tight, but Carolina was slightly sharper where it mattered. The Tar Heels held narrow edges in total yards, 322-312, and first downs, 20-18, while averaging 5.6 yards per play to TCU’s 4.4. TCU converted 7 of 17 third downs compared with Carolina’s 3 of 11, but the Horned Frogs went just 1 of 5 on fourth down and were stopped twice inside the UNC 10.

The opening quarter set the tone for a back-and-forth start. Carolina drove 73 yards on 10 plays to open the game, with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. connecting with tight end Jelani Thurman for gains of 20 and 35 yards before Aeron Burrell capped the drive with a 20-yard field goal. TCU answered on its first possession, moving 62 yards on a drive that included a 48-yard run by Jeremy Payne, setting up a 31-yard Kyle Lemmermann field goal to tie the game at 3.

TCU then took its only lead of the game late in the first quarter. After an electric punt return by Ed Small put the Horned Frogs in scoring position, Jon Denman capped a four-play, 25-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Lemmermann's extra point made it 10-3. Carolina answered immediately. Edwards led a seven-play, 70-yard drive that featured a 21-yard completion to Trech Kekahuna and an 18-yard strike to Jordan Shipp before Jaylen McGill punched it in from 9 yards out to tie the game at 10 with just over a minute left in the quarter.

The second quarter was defined by field position and mistakes. Both offenses struggled to sustain drives, and the period's most consequential moment came with 1:49 left in the half. Facing fourth-and-9 from its own 31, TCU saw a high snap sail over punter John Hoyet Chance’s head. Chance eventually kicked the loose ball out of the back of the end zone, giving Carolina a safety and a 12-10 lead. The Tar Heels then gave the ball back before halftime when Trech Kekahuna was stripped after a reception and TCU’s Max Carroll recovered, but the Horned Frogs could not turn the takeaway into points before the break. Carolina still carried a 12-10 lead into the locker room.

North Carolina extended its lead in the third quarter on the back of its defense. TCU's opening drive of the second half reached midfield before Melkart Abou Jaoude forced a sack-fumble on Jaden Craig that Jaylen Harvey recovered at the TCU 31. The Tar Heels turned the short field into Burrell’s 28-yard field goal, pushing the lead to 15-10 and closing the scoring for the day.

TCU had two more real chances to answer. A drive that started already in great field position in the third quarter reached the Carolina 5-yard line, but Payne was stopped for a loss on fourth-and-1, turning the ball over on downs. Carolina's defense made a similar stand in the fourth quarter, stuffing a 15-play, 66-yard TCU drive at the Carolina 10 when Craig's fourth-down pass intended for Jeremy Scott fell incomplete.

Carolina had a chance to add to its lead in the fourth quarter but missed a 42-yard field goal attempt wide right. TCU's offense, powered mostly by Payne on the ground, kept searching for room, but three sacks and repeated red-zone failures limited the Horned Frogs to 10 points despite running 71 plays to Carolina’s 57 and holding the ball for 28:53.

Carolina's final possession, aided by Demon June's rushing over the closing minutes, ran the clock down before a TCU offsides penalty gave the Tar Heels a first down as time expired.

Statistically, the numbers were close. North Carolina held a narrow edge in total yards, 322-312, and first downs, 20-18, while TCU owned the better third-down rate, converting 7 of 17 compared with the Tar Heels’ 3 of 11. But red-zone execution, fourth-down defense and special teams shaped the outcome. Carolina went 3 of 4 in the red zone, TCU went 2 of 4, and the Horned Frogs were stopped on four of five fourth-down attempts. Although TCU got three points after a Carolina turnover, the bigger swing came on special teams, when the safety gave the Tar Heels a lead they never gave back.

Edwards finished 16 of 28 for 232 yards with no touchdowns and was sacked three times, spreading the ball to eight different receivers. Thurman was Carolina’s leading receiver by yardage with four catches for 94 yards, and Shipp added five catches for 71 yards. On the ground, Carolina rotated Benjamin Hall (11 carries, 36 net yards), McGill (5 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD) and June (6 carries, 25 yards).

For TCU, Craig completed 20 of 32 passes for 175 yards with no touchdowns and was sacked three times. Ed Small led all receivers with nine catches for 65 yards, and Payne was the workhorse on the ground with 25 carries for 142 net yards, including the long 48-yard run in the first quarter.

Defensively, Xavier Lewis paced Carolina with seven tackles, 2.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, while Derek McDonald led the team with 11 total tackles. Abou Jaoude supplied one of Carolina’s biggest defensive plays with his third-quarter strip-sack. For TCU, Max Carroll had nine tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and Ansel Din-Mbuh added 2.0 sacks.

Key performers:

• Billy Edwards Jr. (UNC): 16-28-0, 232 yards passing
• Jelani Thurman (UNC): 4 catches, 94 yards
• Jeremy Payne (TCU): 25 carries, 142 yards
• Ed Small (TCU): 9 catches, 65 yards
• Aeron Burrell (UNC): 2 of 3 on field goals, including a 28-yarder that produced the game’s final points
• Melkart Abou Jaoude (UNC): forced fumble that set up Carolina's final points
• Xavier Lewis (UNC): 7 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 4.5 TFL

Up Next:

North Carolina (1-0) returns to Chapel Hill for an early bye week before hosting East Tennessee State on September 12.

North Carolina’s 2026 high school football season didn’t so much begin as spill forward in waves. A mid‑week storm system forced athletic directors across the state into scramble mode, pushing dozens of openers to Thursday, trimming Friday’s slate, stacking Saturday with make‑ups, and leaving a handful of schools preparing to play on Monday night. It was messy, loud, and very Week One.

Thursday became the centerpiece of the statewide schedule, and it delivered the kind of scores that make people double‑check their phones. Eastern Wayne’s 77-0 demolition of Goldsboro and Fike’s 80-0 rout of North Moore were the two results that traveled fastest. Northeastern added a 66-0 win over Bertie, while Marvin Ridge hung 77 on Cox Mill. Weather‑driven or not, the early slate produced some of the most lopsided openers in recent memory.

Several ranked teams were forced into Thursday action as well. Mallard Creek beat Rolesville 45-25, Millbrook shut out Garner 42-0, and Chambers handled Gray Collegiate Academy (SC) 50-21. Hoggard earned a quality 27-13 win over Richmond Senior, and Lake Norman rolled past Sun Valley 47-0. Even with the rushed preparation, the heavyweights mostly held serve.

But Friday, even with a trimmed schedule, delivered the weekend’s most compelling cluster of games.

Weddington opened with a sharp 49-17 win over Mooresville, a matchup that already carried playoff‑level anticipation before the storms reshuffled the calendar. In Cleveland County, Shelby and Kings Mountain renewed one of the state’s fiercest rivalries, with Shelby grinding out a 28-21 win. A few miles away, Lincolnton earned a 30-10 victory over Maiden, another early‑season pairing that always draws attention.

And then came the night’s wildest scoreline: Cherokee 66, North Buncombe 60. A full‑tilt shootout in the mountains, the kind of game that feels like it belongs in late October instead of Week One. It was the most explosive offensive performance reported anywhere in the state on Friday.

Saturday belonged to the programs that couldn’t squeeze into Thursday or Friday. The biggest in‑state result came from Cleveland County, where Crest beat Burns 28-14, adding another strong rivalry chapter to a weekend already full of heavyweight pairings. In the Triangle, Cardinal Gibbons put away a Greensboro-based Dudley squad, 45-6.

But the marquee spotlight sits just across the border: Hough traveling to Rock Hill to face Northwestern (SC), kicking off at 4 p.m. It’s one of the most anticipated interstate games of the season, a rare August meeting between two programs with legitimate championship aspirations. With storms finally clearing, it’s the kind of matchup capable of anchoring an entire weekend.

And Week One still isn’t finished. With field conditions varying wildly and schedules stretched thin, several programs will play on Monday night, extending the opening chapter of the 2026 season into a fourth day. It wasn’t the clean start anyone planned, but it was unmistakably North Carolina football: weather‑bent, rivalry‑heavy, and already full of storylines before the first full week of school even begins.

Week 1 Scoreboard

A.L. Brown 42, Porter Ridge 10

Alexander Central 49, Newton-Conover 28

Ambassador Christian School 21, Mountain View Prep 14

Green Level 41, Athens Drive 30

Walkertown 47, Atkins 0

Bandys 30, St. Stephens 28

Northern Durham 45, Bartlett Yancey 18

South Caldwell 34, Ben L. Smith 12

Northeastern 66, Bertie 0

Hickory Grove Christian 19, Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy 0

Apex Friendship 35, Broughton 20

Bunker Hill 47, Draughn 0

South Granville 27, Bunn 6

Crest 28, Burns 14

Butler 27, Olympic 14

C.B. Aycock 20, Rosewood 0

Christ School 48, Carolina Mavericks 16

Jordan-Matthews 36, Carrboro 22

Carson 41, Central Davidson 24

Parkland 35, Carver 0

Seaforth 48, Chapel Hill 0

Page 56, Charlotte Christian 23

Cherokee 66, North Buncombe 60

Christ the King 36, Metrolina Christian Academy 33

Mount Pleasant 35, Concord 6

Williams 48, Cummings 6

Ardrey Kell 50, Cuthbertson 7

West Forsyth 42, Davie County 13

Topsail 20, Dixon 8

Cape Fear 50, Douglas Byrd 0

Cardinal Gibbons 45, Dudley 6

West Iredell 43, East Burke 6

East Chapel Hill 41, Cedar Ridge 16

East Forsyth 13, Glenn 0

East Gaston 34, North Gaston 8

Hendersonville 48, East Henderson 0

East Lincoln 35, South Iredell 7

East Rowan 21, Wheatmore 7

Statesville 36, East Surry 22

East Wake 27, Riverside-Durham 20

Eastern Alamance 42, Eastern Guilford 14

Eastern Wayne 77, Goldsboro 0

Elkin 8, Surry Central 0

Southeast Raleigh 48, Enloe 0

Fairmont 32, Lumberton 31

Sandhills Classical Christian 44, Father Capodanno 30

Green Hope 31, Felton Grove 20

Fike 80, North Moore 0

Perquimans County 14, First Flight 6

Forbush 10, Bishop McGuinness 7

Forest Hills 49, Salisbury 7

Franklin 42, Murphy 7

Freedom 33, Patton 0

Garinger 28, WSPA 22

Chatham Central 0, Graham 0

Chambers 50, Gray Collegiate Academy 21

Pine Forest 29, Gray's Creek 19

East Columbus 12, Green Sea Floyds 8

Greene Central 49, North Lenoir 20

Indian Land 49, Harding University 0

Harnett Central 49, Northwood 7

Towns County 61, Hayesville 20

East Bladen 41, Heide Trask 0

Heritage 30, Wakefield 28

Hertford County 44, Gates County 12

Hibriten 34, East Wilkes 16

Cannon 42, High Point Christian Academy 28

Langtree Charter Academy 59, Highland Tech 24

Hillside 30, E.E. Smith 22

Midway 47, Hobbton 24

Hoggard 27, Richmond Senior 13

Monroe 28, Hoke County 6

Panther Creek 13, Holly Springs 10

James F. Byrnes 7, Independence 0

Jack Britt 22, South View 17

Jay M. Robinson 28, Charlotte Country Day School 2

Jordan 38, Leesville Road 37

Shelby 28, Kings Mountain 21

Lake Norman 47, Sun Valley 0

Lake Wylie 41, Ballantyne Ridge 35

Clinton 35, Lakewood 19

Faith Christian 55, Lawrence Academy 14

Oak Grove 52, Ledford 3

Lincolnton 30, Maiden 10

Madison 21, Andrews 0

Mallard Creek 45, Rolesville 25

Marvin Ridge 77, Cox Mill 13

Pungo Christian Academy 40, Mattamuskeet 6

Middle Creek 42, Fuquay-Varina 18

Millbrook 42, Garner 0

Central Cabarrus 21, Montgomery Central 14

Northeast Guilford 50, Morehead 7

Starmount 20, Mount Airy 16

Pisgah 48, Mountain Heritage 30

Providence Day 49, Myers Park 13

Currituck County 0, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 0

Hobgood Charter 14, NHCTA 6

North Brunswick 10, Corinth Holders 7

North Davidson 44, West Stokes 16

North Wake Saints 29, North East Carolina Prep 20

North Edgecombe 20, SCPA 8

Enka 28, North Henderson 14

Wilkes Central 63, North Iredell 0

North Johnston 40, Beddingfield 0

North Lincoln 7, West Lincoln 0

West Rowan 33, North Rowan 18

North Stanly 24, Community School of Davidson 21

Cherryville 41, North Stokes 6

Alleghany 45, North Surry 30

North Wilkes 42, South Stokes 14

Roanoke Rapids 33, Northampton County 8

J.H. Rose 20, Northern Nash 11

White Oak 0, Northside - Jacksonville 0

Northside - Pinetown 24, Camden County 0

Northwest Cabarrus 35, West Cabarrus 20

Western Alamance 33, Northwest Guilford 32

Southeast Alamance 42, Orange 11

Owen 37, Rosman 14

Palisades 42, Ashbrook 28

Pamlico County 34, KIPP Pride 26

Parkwood 47, Piedmont 32

Holmes 42, Pasquotank County 0

Franklinton 34, Person 14

Pine Lake Prep 47, Bessemer City 14

Cleveland 41, Pinecrest 40

Chase 38, Polk County 17

Princeton 34, Ayden - Grifton 9

Providence 24, Hickory Ridge 21

St. Pauls 28, Purnell Swett 6

R.J. Reynolds 47, North Forsyth 0

Providence Grove 27, Randleman 19

Reagan 20, Mount Tabor 0

Anson 42, Red Springs 0

Reidsville 35, Northern Guilford 14

Tuscola 23, Robbinsville 0

Tarboro 38, Rocky Mount 34

John Paul II Catholic 62, Rocky Mount Academy 0

St. David's 14, Rocky Mount Prep 6

North Mecklenburg 48, Rocky River 0

Asheboro 25, Scotland 22

South Johnston 36, Smithfield-Selma 8

Smoky Mountain 42, Swain County 6

South Davidson 35, Trinity 13

South Garner 33, West Johnston 14

Charlotte Catholic 24, South Mecklenburg 0

South Point 34, Hickory 28

South Rowan 41, Union Academy 14

Ravenscroft 33, South Wake Christian Athletics 6

Ragsdale 48, Southern Guilford 0

Overhills 52, Southern Lee 0

Southern Nash 33, Knightdale 13

James Kenan 49, Southern Wayne 6

Lake Norman Charter 21, SouthLake Christian Academy 10

SouthWest Edgecombe 36, Nash Central 8

Rockingham County 39, Southwest Guilford 7

Spartanburg Christian Academy 38, Asheville Christian Academy 22

SSEAS 26, Wake Forest 21

Stuart W. Cramer 42, Forestview 6

T.C. Roberson 48, Huss 12

T.W. Andrews 28, Thomasville 19

Seventy-First 59, Terry Sanford 14

Warren County 52, Vance County 12

Venice 42, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee 40

NRCA 33, Wake Prep Academy 13

Watauga 55, Ashe County 13

TMSA 2, Wayne Preparatory Academy 0

Weddington 49, Mooresville 17

Sallie B. Howard 0, Weldon STEM 0

Pender 52, West Bladen 0

West Brunswick 41, South Brunswick 20

Grimsley 24, West Charlotte 0

Whiteville 53, West Columbus 8

West Henderson 34, Erwin 21

POBAT 19, West Mecklenburg 13

Foard 26, West Wilkes 13

Southeast Guilford 20, Western Guilford 8

J.F. Webb 28, Western Harnett 7

Union Pines 27, Westover 13

Triton 49, Willow Spring 17

The 2026 Carolina Gridiron Preseason All Gridiron Team features a deep and experienced group of standouts from across North Carolina, headlined by East Lincoln tight end Jaxon Dollar, the state’s top ranked recruit and one of the most nationally recognized players in the 2026 class. Dollar, committed to Georgia, enters the season as the most complete offensive weapon in the state and the centerpiece of this year’s preseason roster.

Behind Dollar, the rest of the top recruits also earned All Gridiron honors. Millbrook defensive lineman Rashad Streets (Oregon) anchors a loaded defensive front, while Garner linebacker Aroson Randle (Miami) brings range and physicality to the second level. Cardinal Gibbons defensive back Xavier Hasan, committed to Notre Dame, headlines the secondary, and Hough defensive back Joshua Dobson (South Carolina) rounds out the group as one of the most reliable cover corners in the state.

Hough quarterback Ethan Royal (Marshall) leads the offense after guiding one of North Carolina’s most efficient attacks last fall. He’s joined in the backfield by Rolesville’s Amir Brown (Nebraska) and Southeast Raleigh’s Christian Freeman (NC State), two backs capable of changing a drive with one touch.

Rolesville wideout Anthony Roberts (Virginia Tech) and Southern Durham’s Jonathan Dillon (Duke) give the receiver group a pair of polished route runners, while Crest’s Majay Thompson, committed to Florida State, adds a big play threat on the perimeter.

The offensive line features a strong mix of size and experience with Bryce Johnson (East Carolina), Charlie Reece (Wake Forest), Cooper Hodson (Delaware), Gavin Milton (Duke), and Moreno Fisher (Virginia).

Defensively, the front is one of the strongest the preseason list has seen in years. Alongside Streets, St. Pauls standout Antwan McKoy (Georgia), Seventy First’s John Archer (South Carolina), Corvian’s Nate Kamba (Auburn), and Jordan’s Xavier Perkins (Virginia Tech) form a group capable of controlling games at the line of scrimmage.

Lincolnton’s Jalaythan Mayfield (Indiana) and Millbrook’s Quinton Cupher, committed to Ohio State, join Randle at linebacker, giving the unit a blend of athleticism and toughness.

The secondary includes Clayton’s Akedran Crumel, still undecided, along with Dobson, Shelton (Wake Forest), and Hasan. Southern Durham athlete Lance Henderson, committed to Duke, earns the ATH spot for his versatility across multiple phases.

Special teams round out the roster with Middle Creek punter Ben LaDue, Providence kicker Jamison Causey, and Asheville Christian long snapper Sean Kraft, a Notre Dame commit.

The 2026 Preseason All Gridiron Team highlights the players who have already earned statewide respect, and in many cases, national attention. With five of the state’s top recruits leading the way, this group sets the tone for what should be another standout season across North Carolina.