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

Welcome to HighSchoolOT's 2026 football season preview for the Coastal 5A/6A Conference. The league features Croatan, Dixon, Havelock, Northside-Jacksonville, Richlands, Swansboro, and West Carteret.

The Coastal ended in a three-way tie for first in 2025 with Havelock, Croatan, and Northside-Jacksonville at the top. Now, the Monarchs have returned the vast majority of a groundbreaking roster that advanced to the 5A East Regional Final.

While Northside will be difficult to beat, Croatan returned a talented quarterback and a productive running back that should help the Cougars be players in the 5A East once again. Meanwhile, Havelock is looking to avoid another slow start to the season as it navigates a young core.

Richlands and Swansboro could be poised for jumps after struggling at times in 2025. West Carteret and Dixon on the other hand must grapple with major roster turnover as they attempt playoff pushes once again. The shakeout 4-7 in the league standings will be interesting and proved quite difficult to project.

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Croatan

Croatan did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Riley Robinson (WR), J.P. Baccoli (WR), Carter Abalos (WR/LB), Everett Fitzsimmons (WR/LB), Ethan Demercurio (DL), Cutter Bryant (OL/DL), Christian Taylor (OL/DL), Porter Ingels (OL/DL), Beau Boyd (WR/DB)

Returning players to know: Kannon McBride (senior QB), Andrew Boucher (senior ATH), Carter Boal (senior DB/WR), Caleb Davis (DB), Zach Bentz (OL/DL), Aiden Wilson (OL/DL)

The Cougars made it to the third round of the NCHSAA 5A state playoffs before dropping to eventual state runner-up Hunt in a tight, 32-29, contest. It was a defining season in the tenure of head coach Andrew Gurley.

Croatan only gave up four touchdowns through its first five wins of the 2025 season. That defense is what allowed the Cougars to tie atop the Coastal Conference standings. Another driving force of that success was quarterback Kannon McBride.

The senior will once again lead the offense in 2026. He threw for 2,072 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions on 73.1% completion as a junior. Another key offensive returner is Andrew Boucher. The running back enters his senior year after scoring 31 touchdowns with 1,683 rushing yards. McBride and Boucher will be protected by an offensive line that features Coastal Carolina commit Aiden Wilson.

With some of its offensive cornerstones back, the Cougars are poised to be major players in the Coastal again.

The Cougars lost a host of defenders, including some all-conference guys. So, defense will be a big area of developmental focus this season. If Croatan can find its footing defensively, its returning leaders on offense should be able to put the team in conference contention.

Team outlook: Croatan has enough returning pieces to look like a contender in the Coastal. Northside is formidable, but so are the Cougars.

Dixon

Dixon did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: J.J. Gulat (RB/QB), Sean Delaney (RB), Cooper Lanier (RB), Shondel Parker (RB), Nick Olson (LB), Tyler Goatcher (OL/DL), Parker Woolley (DE), Cayden Sanders (OL/DL),

Returning players to know: Keoni Terukina (junior LB/RB), Aiden Tilley (senior LB), Hunter Talley (junior DL/OL), Luke Tranfaglia (senior WR), Lonnie Stowers (senior CB), Bhodi Johnson (senior OL)

At 6-6 overall in 2025, Dixon had its winningest football season since 2019.

The Bulldogs opened the season 4-0 in non-conference play before finishing just 1-5 in league play. The ‘Dogs reached the second round of the 5A state playoffs after winning at Rockingham County, 58-50, in the first round.

The team’s run-heavy offense was shouldered by Coastal Conference Offensive Player of the Year J.J. Gulat, who racked up 3,361 yards on a monstrous 354 carries for 43 touchdowns. But with Gulat and fellow running back Sean Delaney (who rushed for 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns) graduated, Dixon has to fill the 78.3% of total offense left vacant by its two top offensive weapons.

Dixon’s most productive returning offensive player was responsible for just 131 total yards in 2025. That’s why it’s safe to say that the Bulldogs must turn their attention to younger talent and development in 2026.

The ‘Dogs return a pair of all-conference performers in corner Lonnie Stowers and lineman Bodhi Johnson. Having veteran guys like that will be important as the emphasis shifts to developing a young roster.

Team outlook: A turnaround season in 2025 will be difficult for Dixon to follow after losing so much of its offensive production.

Havelock

Players who will be missed: Zy’King Patillo (WR/DB), Chris Bispham (DL), Jayden Howard (RB/DB), Tyler Phillips (DE), Semaj George (DL), Markell Carter (CB/WR), Khimani Nolan (DB/ATH)

Returning players to know: Michael Gatling (senior CB/WR), Andrew Williams (junior LB), DaQuarius Dunlap (senior LB), LLoyd Jones (sophomore RB), Eli Maher (senior OL), Chase Champion (junior WR/SS), Jonathon Jones (senior DE), Kaleb Montanye (sophomore QB), Jeff Jones (junior WR), Milton Brown (sophomore WR), Nehemiah Martin (junior OL), Donnell Williams (senior DL), Ryker Kidney (senior DL),

New faces to look out for: Austin Livingston (junior WR), Zach Hughes (freshman RB)

After reaching the 3A East Regional Final in 2024, Havelock had a bit of a rocky start in 2025. Its six losses on the season were the most by the program in any season since 2007.

The Rams opened last season winless in non-conference games. They lost to West Craven 7-0 to start the year before losing handedly to New Bern and then eventual 2A state champion Tarboro. Finally, a 21-14 loss to J.H. Rose led into conference play where Havelock finally broke the losing skid with a 49-20 win over Richlands.

Croatan quickly handed the Rams their first conference loss the following week, but Havelock responded with six straight victories. After beginning 1-5, Havelock didn’t lose again until the third round of the 5A state playoffs with another loss to Croatan, this time by a one-point margin.

Havelock’s midseason turnaround could be a sign of what’s to come for head coach Brent Wooten and company. However, the Rams lost an array of all-conference performers spanning many positions. That’s why Wooten said the team’s biggest storyline this year is to continue the momentum from the end of last year with a very young roster.

Sophomore Kaleb Montanye will be the full-time starting quarterback for Havelock after appearing in nine games for the Rams as a freshman with 855 passing yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Wooten said that sophomore receiver Lloyd Jones and senior receiver Michael Gatling will play major roles for the offense this season. Gatling was largely a defender for the Rams a season ago, but will transition into a new role as a senior.

Wooten’s team lost a lot of production with the graduation of running back Jayden Howard, who is headed to Randolph-Macon, and wide receiver Zy’King Patillo, who is off to Fayetteville State. The pair combined for better than 2,000 rushing yards and 600 receiving yards last season.

Team outlook: This is a team that showed that it can respond to adversity last season. But youth is always difficult to navigate. Havelock should be a top three team in the Coastal again, but a lot of eyes will be on its non-conference performance after blanking in 2025.

Northside-Jacksonville

Northside-Jacksonville did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Cameron Napier (RB/LB), Vincent Petitto (WR/DB), Muhamed Diouf (TE/DE)

Returning players to know: Reginald Gray III (junior QB), Rahlai Anderson (senior RB), Zion Jones (sophomore RB), Gavyn Davis (senior ATH), Matthew Smoot (senior WR/DB), Jamian Johnson (senior WR/DB), Mikhail White (senior WR), Jamir Mitchell (senior WR/DL), Anoop Monroe (senior LB), Daniel Wisnewski (TE/DL), Justin Hardison (OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Evan Wanga (senior WR)

Last season marked a dramatic turnaround for the Monarchs.

In the previous five seasons, Northside-Jacksonville won six combined games, including a winless season in 2021. In 2024, Northside had its winningest year since 2019 with a 3-8 record. Then in one fell swoop, the Monarchs jumped to 11-3 and co-Coastal 5A/6A champions as they blazed to the 5A East Regional Final.

Kendrick Pollock is entering Year 12 as head coach and he has his best opportunity at a state championship since losing the 2AA final to Shelby in 2016 during his first year at the helm.

Linebacker Cameron Napier is the only of Northside’s nine all-conference players that graduated. The rest are set to return.

Highlighting that group is junior quarterback Reginald Gray III. As a sophomore, he earned first team All-Coastal by throwing for 2,629 yards and 26 touchdowns with 14 interceptions on 60.8% completion. Gray also rushed for 387 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Speaking of productive returning rushing, Rahlai Anderson is back for his senior campaign after leading Northside with 1,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. Sophomore Zion Jones demonstrated a lot of promise as a freshman as well. The running back returns after netting 442 yards on the ground as a first-year.

Senior athlete Gavyn Davis is an important piece for the Monarchs. He rushed for 280 yards and led the team with an eye-popping 1,011 receiving yards. He is joined in the receiving core by returning all-conference defenders Matthew Smoot and Jamir Mitchell. That group also includes senior Jamian Johnson, who reeled in 522 yards through the air in 2025, and transfer Evan Wanga from New Bern.

On defense, the returning group is just as bountiful. All-conference linebacker Anoop Monroe is back for his senior year after recording a team-high 167 tackles (103 solo) as a junior. Daniel Wisnewski will be a critical guy for Pollock’s group on the defensive line.. As aforementioned, Smoot and Mitchell are productive defensive returnees as well.

Team outlook: Nearly the entire roster of a regional finalist is back. That is a recipe for success. The Monarchs will be tough to beat in the Coastal and the 5A East at large.

Richlands

Richlands did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: C.J. DiBenedetto (QB), Darryl Jackson (RB/WR), Trea’vaun Flanagan (DL/OL), Beau Mills (LB/WR), Cale Wilges (WR), Carson Littreal (WR), Tyler Clouatre (WR)

Returning players to know: Camden Good (senior RB), Camden Warren (senior WR), Kaleb Sparks (OL), Dwight Hooker (WR/CB), Payton Hughes (senior LB)

In Year 2 under Bill Good, the Wildcat offensive group will look different.

Richlands struggled in 2025, especially at the start of the season as it opened with a 1-7 record. The Wildcats eventually stacked wins against Dixon and Swansboro to close the regular season before dropping in a 47-0 shutout to Havelock in a state playoff battle between conference foes.

Now, the Wildcats face a new season which will feature many new faces. But first, it’s important to know who is back.

Richlands brings back first team all-conference performers Camden Warren and Kaleb Sparks. They also return second team selections: receiver and corner Dwight Hooker and linebacker Payton Hughes — who comfortably led the Wildcats in total tackles with 100 in 2025.

The team lost a pair of impactful defenders in linebacker Beau Mills and lineman Trea’vaun Flanagan. However, much of its losses can be seen on offense where the Wildcats lost starting quarterback C.J. DiBenedetto. He threw for 1,252 yards, nine touchdowns, and as many interceptions on 50.6% completion in 2025.

DiBenedetto, who was also the team’s top rusher, was joined in graduation by Darryl Jackson, the team’s next most productive rusher. Hooker returns as the team’s leader in receiving yards, but the next three players on that list are gone.

Team outlook: Filling in the gaps on offense will be the biggest task for Richlands as the Wildcats aim to make the playoffs again.

Swansboro

Swansboro did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Connor McInnis (LB/RB), Jason Morales (DB/WR), Kevin Till (QB), Nolan Armstrong (WR), Dylan Meyers (LB)

Returning players to know: Connor Wagers (senior DL/OL), Connor Roth (LB/TE), Carmello Beasley (junior ATH), Austin Zoeckler (senior QB), Anthony Anderson (junior RB), Elijah Scott (senior WR)

In his third year at the helm, Rodney Beasley’s offense should look to run through returning athlete Carmello Beasley.

The younger Beasley was Swansboro’s top receiver (809 yards) and the No. 2 rusher (203 yards) as a sophomore. He is a crucial returner for a squad that already struggled a year ago, finishing just 2-8 overall and 0-6 in conference play.

The Pirates lost their starting quarterback Kevin Till, who threw for 1,384 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on 56.2% completion. He was joined in graduation by all-conference defensive back Jason Morales and linebacker Connor McInnis. Clearly, Swansboro suffered losses this offseason, however, they return a handful of all-conference players from last season.

First of all, there’s Carmello Beasley. Then there are returning first team selections Connor Wagers and Connor Roth. Wagers is a standout senior lineman for the Pirates and Roth is a linebacker, who was second on the team in tackles to only McInnis.

Filling the void at quarterback will be important, but developing its existing players will prove vital for a program looking for a turnaround.

Team outlook: Last season’s two wins were the first for the program since 2022. It was a step in the right direction, and the Pirates are looking to take another step in 2026.

West Carteret

Players who will be missed: Joshua Bauman (RB/LB), D’Jabrien Murray (TE), Alan De La Cruz (OL), Tanner Payne (QB), Yonatan Castillo (OL/DL), Noah Miller (OL), Aiden Sekley (OL), Dallas Riggan (WR)

Returning players to know: Landon Quillan (senior FS), Max Thayer (senior LB), Tyshawn Hargrove (senior DB), Ian Hawryschuk (senior RB/LB), Jejuan Tripp (senior WR/DB), Carter Lindquist (senior WR/DB), Mason Alpert (senior OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Caden Pritchett (senior WR/LB), Rushawn McDonald (senior WR/DB), Xavier Foye (senior OL/DL), Fin Beyus (sophomore QB)

The Patriots will be without two-year starting quarterback Tanner Payne this season as he heads to Elon University. As a senior, he drove West Carteret’s offense with 3,071 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. With Payne missing from the pocket, the Pats will shift their attention to Fin Beyus at quarterback.

Beyus was a freshman defender for last year’s Patriots, which finished 7-5 overall and 3-3 in league play. Beyus will be learning on the fly with a group of Patriots that step into larger roles this season after many of the team’s top performers from 2025 graduated.

The receiving core is down all-conference player D’Jabrien Murray, who reeled in 1,285 yards and 12 touchdowns on 65 receptions in 2025. Three of the team’s top four receivers graduated, leaving senior Jejuan Tripp as the leading returner (535 yards and five touchdowns last year).

West Carteret’s workhorse on the ground, Joshua Bauman, also graduated. He ran for 17 touchdowns with a team-best 1,745 yards, The next closest rusher was Payne at 169 yards. The Pats returned no rushers with more than 50 yards last season.

Defensively, the return is more favorable. Max Thayer and Tyshawn Hargrove are back to lead things. The Pats lost a number of defenders to graduation, and will be without defensive end D.J. Patterson due to injury, but head coach Daniel Barrow said the defense still has a chance to improve this year. A big reason for that is its returning talent like Thayer and Hargrove.

Team outlook: West Carteret is much younger than it was in 2025. Entering Year 12, Barrow has consistently produced good results. However, this team may fall short of the .500 mark given the strength of the top half of the league.

Conference Superlatives

Toughest schedule: Havelock — The Rams struggled in non-conference play last season. This year’s slate will provide similar challenges with trips to defending 2A state champion Tarboro, J.H. Rose, and Ashley. The Rams also host New Bern in Week 2.
Most favorable schedule: Croatan — NCHSAA 2A member East Carteret is the only non-conference opponent for Croatan that won more than two games last season. Topsail should be better than its 0-10 2025 record suggests, but a trip there and to Southwest Onslow are favorable for a Cougar team that went 11-2 a year ago.
Breakout team: Swansboro — A step forward could be in order for Rodney Beasley’s team in 2026 after going winless in league play in 2025. Carmello Beasley appears to be a force for the Pirates offensively.
Team with most questions: Dixon — Losing Gulat and Delaney eliminated most of the team’s offensive production from 2025. Replacing it won’t be easy..
Player of the Year favorite: Reginald Gray III, Northside-Jacksonville (junior QB)
Player who could have biggest breakout: Michael Gatling, Havelock (senior WR)

Standing Prediction

Northside-Jacksonville
Croatan
Havelock
Swansboro
Richlands
West Carteret
Dixon

Playoff Forecast

Likely to earn a home game: Northside-Jacksonville, Croatan, Havelock
Likely to make it:
On the bubble: Swansboro, Richlands, West Carteret, Dixon