2026 Mountain 5A/6A Conference Football Preview: Storylines, Predictions, Players to Watch

Welcome to HighSchoolOT's 2026 football season preview for the Mountain 5A/6A Conference. The league features A.C. Reynolds, Asheville, Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, and T.C. Roberson.

T.C. Roberson brings back the Mountain Athletic Conference offensive and defensive players of the year from last year’s MAC championship roster. In many ways, the Rams are better suited for a deep playoff run this year. And yet, they may not be the conference favorite.

Asheville returns much of its team from 2025 and adds an impressive transfer class that should make the Cougars one of it not the team to beat in the MAC. Meanwhile, A.C. Reynolds is navigating a coaching change after the retirement of the legendary Shane Laws.

Enka is dealing with a head coaching change itself as the Jets look to regain footing. Erwin is chasing its conference championship ways of 2024 and North Buncombe appears ready to take a step forward after a stretch of disappointing records.

The battle for the MAC crown should be interesting as the games will be competitive week-in and week-out in this league.

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A.C. Reynolds

Players who will be missed: Tyvon Patterson-Davis (RB), Jayden Smith (RB), Kayden Ray (WR), Tremaine Keeter (WR), Staceyon Taylor (LB), Brandon Ledbetter (DE)

Returning players to know: Kolton Rymer (senior QB), Avery Hollifield (QB), Zion Ikeme (senior DB), Ray Allen (senior SS), Alex Fitzgerald (senior LB), Dayna Beck-Gilliam (junior DB), Zak Elassy (senior OL), D’Taruius Strickland (senior OL), Blain Green (junior OL), Levi Anderson (senior WR), Cayden Graessle (senior OL/DL), Andrew Mincy (senior DB)

New faces to look out for: Brooks Gutch (sophomore QB), Dank Dowdle (sophomore), Holden Jones (junior DL), Rylen Cabral (sophomore LB), Zayden Cabral (sophomore LB/TE), J’zon Hutchinson (junior), Baylor Pavone (junior DB/WR), Jack Holler, River Snyder (junior DL)

You never want to be the guy that follows the guy, but Chandler Greer seems up to the challenge at A.C. Reynolds.

After 19 years at the helm, Shane Laws retired from his position as head coach for the Rockets. He accumulated 173 wins, 12 conference titles, two regional championships, and one state title during his tenure in Asheville. Following his departure, A.C. Reynolds promoted its offensive line coach, Greer, as Laws’ successor.

Greer takes over a program that was 7-5 last season, finishing second in the Mountain Athletic Conference with a lone loss to T.C. Roberson, 21-14. That team graduated its top two rushers: Tyvon Patterson-Davis and Jayden Smith. It also lost its top three receivers: Kayden Ray, Tremaine Keeter, and Patterson-Davis.

That’s a lot of production to account for. However, Greer has multiple options at quarterback to lead a younger offensive unit. Senior Kolton Rymer returns at QB after throwing for 952 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions as a starter. Avery Hollifield also spent time at the position as a junior, throwing for 674 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in five games.

Defensively, the Rockets return a handful of experienced guys. Dayna Beck-Gilliam is back as a defensive back — he holds offers from Duke, North Carolina, and East Carolina. Reynolds also retained Zion Ikeme and Ray Allen, who were all-conference players for the Rocket secondary.

While they certainly have experience, Greer said the Rockets will have a lot of young talent that is new to varsity. The new head coach will be in hand-and-hand with his younger squad as they navigate the post-Laws era at A.C. Reynolds.

Team outlook: Greer has a good foundation to begin his tenure with A.C. Reynolds. The Rockets may not be conference champions, but they are easily a playoff lock.

Asheville

Players who will be missed: Kendrick Robbs (DB), MaKyan Barton (TE/DE), Oliver Pretrick (OL)

Returning players to know: Brenton Miller (junior OL), Christian Nesby (sophomore SS), Jam Skyes (junior WR), Tay Williams (junior QB), Clement Davidson (junior RB), T.K. Davis (sophomore RB/DB), Theo Sink (senior OL), Tyrell Green (junior DE), DJaay Jackson (sophomore LB), Zeke Wiesner (senior OL), Jayden Torres (junior LB/DL), Savion Caldwell (senior DB), Kyce'Son Baird (sophomore DB/WR), Jericho Swinger (senior ATH), Henry Leisring (senior K), Udi Cumplido (junior DL)

New faces to look out for: Kaydan Whiteside (junior WR/DB), Tay Wadsworth (senior DB), Malakhi Moser (junior OL), Amir Woods (senior OL), Avery Mueller (junior LB), Henry McNair (sophomore TE), Darhyis Nixon (senior DE), Fallou Gaye (sophomore TE/W /LB), Lucas Pattayanak (sophomore OL), Tucker Freeman (junior OL), Jaydin Hardy (senior DB), Jeremihya Smith (freshman OL)

The Cougars made it to the second round of the NCHSAA 6A state playoffs last season, but they may have only scratched the surface of what this group could become.

Head coach Cort Radford started four freshmen and 10 sophomores last season, now all of those players are back and more experienced. In fact, Asheville returned just about everyone from its 2025 roster, including most of its offensive production.

Quarterback Tay Williams returns for his junior campaign. As a starter in 2025, he threw for 1,726 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on 67.5% completion. Returning alongside him on offense are T.K. Davis and Clement Davidson, who each rushed for 577 and 547 yards respectively in 2025 to lead the team. Essentially the entire running back group is back for 2026.

The same can nearly be said for the receiving core, that is if it weren’t for graduated tight end MaKyan Burton. Even without Burton, the return at receiver is plentiful. Team receiving leader Jam Sykes is back for his junior year after pulling down 10 touchdowns with 856 yards in 2025. That group will be accentuated by junior transfer Kaydan Whiteside.

The junior from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia has a plethora of Power 4 offers, including SEC schools like Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and others. He highlights a class of transfers that could help lift Asheville to the next level in 2026.

The Cougars also added Tay Wadsworth from Asheville School, who has Division I interest. Junior lineman Malakhi Moser also comes in from Asheville School. Amir Woods will join Moser on the line after making an intraconference move from T.C. Roberson. The pair of transfers slide in alongside all-conference senior Theo Sink.

Defensively, Asheville has a few all-conference performers back. Junior Tyrell Green is back at defensive end after transferring to Mallard Creek last winter but ultimately returning. The still very young DJaay Jackson is back as a sophomore after an all-conference nod at linebacker in 2025. The defender was just 13 years old at the start of last season.

That group will be aided by a number of JV promoted defenders that should add to the already plentiful depth for the Cougars.

Team outlook: Roster retention would have been enough for Asheville to compete for the MAC crown in 2026, but a strong transfer class makes it the favorite.

Enka

Players who will be missed: Logan Trantham (QB), William Parham (RB), James Meyers (WR/DB), Cooper Greene (OL/DL), Hunter Quinn (SS)

Returning players to know: Tommy McKinney (senior ATH), Jayden McElreath (senior RB/LB), Jake Gerolimatos (TE/DB), Jose Chavez (senior WR/DB), Grady Allison (senior LB/TE), Lucas Holbrook (OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Levi Richards (WR/DB), C.J. Dicus (junior QB)

After five years leading the Jets, Mike Sexton retired following last season’s 2-8 finish. He is succeeded by former North Henderson head coach Jim Beatty, who hopes to lift the Jets back to playoff status.

Before coaching at North Henderson, Beatty was the head coach at T.C. Roberson from 2006-2013, so he’s no stranger to the Asheville football scene. Throughout his career he is 79-87 overall, but most recently had just one season over .500 during his six years at NHHS.

The Jets lost their starting quarterback, Logan Trantham, to graduation. He totaled 1,172 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions as a senior. That spot will be filled by junior C.J. Dicus, who will get his first opportunity as starting QB in 2026.

One of the top rushers from 2025, William Parham, graduated. However, the team’s top rusher Tommy McKinney is back after scoring five touchdowns on 385 yards as a junior. Beatty said being able to run the ball and stop the run will be amongst the biggest storylines for this year’s team.

McKinney is also the most prolific receiver returning. Parham and graduated senior James Meyers were the only two with more receiving yards last year.

The Jets have a strong returning core on defense, which should help with the coaching transition and some of the younger spots offensively.

Team outlook: Beatty’s arrival provides Enka with a great opportunity to respark its playoff hopes. The Jets likely won’t compete for a conference title, but they should be more competitive than last year’s 2-8 finish.

Erwin

• Erwin did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Dayvon Williams (RB/LB), Amarion Smith (CB/RB), Noah Houdham (WR), Jackson Davis (WR), Jaquavion Allen (WR/SS), Jayden Holder (LB), Will Jacoby (LB), Synsir Noel (RB/LB),

Returning players to know: Caden Ingle (senior QB), Jahbaree Tolbert (sophomore RB), Kadarrion Brown (senior CB/WR), Kobe Lunsford (senior ATH)

Rising senior quarterback Caden Ingle has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in western North Carolina in each of the past two seasons. Entering his fourth year as a starter, Ingle has thrown for 2,966 yards on a 10-2 team and 2,420 on a 4-7 squad. He’s remained productive, but the past two seasons have gone quite differently for the Warriors.

After winning the Mountain Athletic Conference 3A/4A title in 2024, Erwin took a step back in 2025. Despite the increase in losses, Erwin remained competitive with some of the top teams in the MAC 5A/6A. A.C. Reynolds beat the Warriors 14-10, and Asheville beat Erwin by a similar one-score margin, 41-35.

Two years removed from that conference championship run, Erwin has the same quarterback and a new crop of players that gained experience during last year’s hiccup. For instance, Jahbaree Tolbert is back for his sophomore season at running back after leading the team with 574 rushing yards as a freshman.

In Year 10, head coach Rodney Pruett faces a tough slate in the MAC, which features reigning champion T.C. Roberson, favorite Asheville, and consistent presence A.C. Reynolds. Remerging as a conference title threat won’t be an easy task to pull off in one year’s time, but it’s certainly not out of the question when you consider the pedigree of the coach and the quarterback.

Team outlook: Erwin is a playoff team and should be able to play with anyone in the league. Although, rising back to the top of the MAC will be awfully difficult.

North Buncombe

Players who will be missed: Ryan Moffatt (WR/DB), Devin Patel (OL/DL), Maxim Kolodich (RB)

Returning players to know: Kyngston Denson (senior RB/LB), Brock McMahan (senior TE/LB), Julian Lanning (senior OL/DL), Lucas Hughey (senior OL/LB), Preston Carrico (senior OL/DL), Landon Yopp (junior OL/TE/DL), Lucas Keever (junior QB/WR/DB), Elias Otis (junior WR/DB), Joaquin Altamirano (senior LB/OL), Isaac Ray (senior LB), Luke Banks (senior DB/WR), Phillip Raines (junior TE/DL), Liam Curtis (junior LB/RB), Collier Laughinghouse (junior DB/WR), Avery Kemp (junior DL/OL)

New faces to look out for: Brendan Rios (junior DB/WR), Alfonso Maldonado (junior OL/DL), Landon Hines (sophomore QB/LB), Mitchell Brennan (sophomore LB/WR), Holden Fisher (freshman ATH), J.D. Ingram (senior DB), Liam Dewey (senior WR/DB)

It’s Year 5 for head coach David Hines at North Buncombe. And after a 2-8 finish in 2025, it's time to take another step forward.

“Our biggest storyline heading into this season is mental maturity and finish,” Hines said. “Last year, we took a massive step forward as a young program. We proved we could match the physicality of anyone on our schedule, and we put ourselves in positions to win football games deep into the second half that we hadn't been in previously. However, when you rely on a lot of young guys, one bad break or a sudden change in momentum can cause a shift in mindset.”

Last year’s team only had six seniors, this year’s will have upwards of 20. More experience should give the Black Hawks a good chance to increase physicality and become even more competitive.

“This year, we are a much older, more mature football team,” Hines said. “The storyline for us isn't about whether we can compete—we already know we belong in those physical fights. The story of our season will be how we respond to adversity. We’ve spent the entire offseason training our minds to focus strictly on the ‘next play’ so that one negative moment doesn't turn into two or three. We have the size, the experience, and the culture in place. Now, it’s about having the veteran composure to weather the storm, execute under pressure, and finish games in the fourth quarter.”

The Black Hawks didn’t lose many starters to graduation. And amongst their returners, the most crucial is likely senior running back Kyngston Denson, who often shouldered the offense. He racked up 1,135 yards on the ground in 2025, scoring eight touchdowns.

With a Wing-T offense, Denson’s contributions will be vital. However, Hines said there is a plan to open up the passing game more this season. Last year, the Black Hawks threw for a combined 264 passing yards between two quarterbacks — both of which return.

Team outlook: North Buncombe is in a good position to take a step forward, however, competition will make that rise difficult. Still, the Black Hawks should have an improved shot at making the playoffs.

T.C. Roberson

Players who will be missed: Carson Thompson (OL), Cruz Dawkins (OL), Amir Woods (LB), Isaac Sims (RB/LB)

Returning players to know: Tariq Sibert (senior DE), Riddock Dinwiddie (senior LB), Kydan Trimnal-Tucker (senior OL), Karod Harris (junior QB), Chanten Wynn (junior DB), Kevion Holloway (senior DB), Lawson Banks (junior DB), Nathaniel Skjoldager (senior LB), Josiah James (senior LB), Tremayne Durant (senior WR), Mooka Simpson (senior RB), Hayden Carver-Logan (senior DL), Dez Cole (senior OL), Kanyus Atkins (junior WR/DB), Jake Farmer (senior WR)

New faces to look out for: Tristan Thomson-Wynn (senior WR), Cobi Crawford (junior WR), Kanyon Stevens (junior DL), Henry Leon (junior OL), Cade Edwards (senior OL/LB)

The Rams return a good amount of talent from last year’s MAC Championship team. But additions for Asheville will make title defense tough for T.C. Roberson.

Still, a stellar defensive unit will make life difficult for the rest of the MAC. The Rams return 9-of-11 starters on defense and are deep in the skill positions according to head coach J.D. Dinwiddie. He also noted that the whole group is bigger, faster, and stronger.

Tariq Silbert should headline the defense. The senior defensive end is the reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He will be joined by returnees Riddock Dinwiddie, Nathaniel Skjoldager, and Josiah James at linebacker. Then there is Hayden Carver-Logan on the defensive line, and Chanten Wynn, Kevion Holloway, and Lawson Banks at DB.

The Rams also return the MAC Offensive Player of the Year with quarterback Karod Harris. The junior threw for 1,487 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions with 56.2% completion this past season. He also rushed for 685 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Harris will spearhead an offense that features senior running back Mookah Simpson (who led the team in rushing in 2025 with 748 yards), junior wide receiver Kanyus Atkins (who led the team in receiving yards with 466), and senior transfer receiver Tristan Thompson-Wynn from Brevard (who has college interest).

The 2025 season didn't end the way T.C. Roberson had hoped after dropping 21-20 at home to Kings Mountain in the second round of the 6A state playoffs. But now, most of that team gets a chance at redemption and an opportunity to push even further into the postseason.

Team outlook: Two things are true about T.C. Roberson in 2026. Firstly, the Rams seem poised for a deeper playoff run. Secondly, the defending MAC champs will have a tougher time defending their conference title than pushing past the second round of the playoffs.

Conference Superlatives

• Toughest schedule: Asheville — The season begins at East Rutherford for Asheville. All five of its non-conference opponents lost three or fewer games in 2025. The slate continues by hosting Dobyns-Bennett (Tenn.), Crest, and Asheville School before hitting the road to take on defending 6A state champion Watauga.
• Most favorable schedule: Enka — The majority of the league has very difficult schedules. Enka has some difficult tests, too, like at Pisgah. However, comparatively, this schedule is more favorable with home contests against North Henderson, McDowell, and Hayesville as well as a road trip to Cherokee.
• Breakout team:  Asheville — The Cougars retained a lot of talent and added on top of it. Already a top three team in the MAC, but now enter the season as the favorite and could make noise in the 6A playoffs.
• Team with most questions: A.C. Reynolds — A coaching change from the proven Shane Laws will provide a test for the program. Plus, the team loses some of its top options from a year ago.
• Player of the Year favorite: Karod Harris, T.C. Roberson (junior QB)
• Player who could have biggest breakout: C.J. Dicus, Enka (junior QB)

Standing Prediction

1. Asheville
2. T.C. Roberson
3. A.C. Reynolds
4. Erwin
5. Enka
6. North Buncombe

Playoff Forecast

• Likely to earn a home game: Asheville, T.C. Roberson
• Likely to make it: A.C. Reynolds, Erwin
• On the bubble: Enka, North Buncombe