2026 Big Seven 4A/5A Conference Football Preview: Storylines, Predictions, Players to Watch

Welcome to HighSchoolOT's 2026 football season preview for the Big South 5A/6A Conference. The league features Carrboro, Cedar Ridge, J.F. Webb, Orange, Seaforth, and South Granville.

J.F. Webb made a major jump in 2025 to become conference champions but the graduation of a pair of productive seniors will make things challenging for the Warriors as they try to go back-to-back. A big hurdle in their way will be Seaforth.

The Hawks have been active this offseason and quarterback Duncan Parker will be the engine pushing them forward. Meanwhile, Orange returns much of its team and should improve.

South Granville has a new coach as the Vikings look to capitalize off a good ending to last season despite a mid-season coaching shift.

Carrboro and Cedar Ridge have solid roster retention as they attempt to turn things around after years of struggling.

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Carrboro

• Carrboro did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Isaiah MacFalling (RB), Matthew Bien-aise (WR), Tre Watlington (LB), Nolan Hunter (OL/DL)

Returning players to know: Jake Stevenson (junior QB), Max Trojanowski (junior LB/RB), Leo Goldwater (junior WR), Eli Beaven-Louey (senior WR), Tristan McGowan (sophomore CB/WR), Ajax Hopler (senior LB), Grayson Hlad (junior DB/WR), Theodore Childs (junior CB/WR)

Last season was tough for the Jaguars. Their only victory came 14-0 against the Big Seven’s last place team, Cedar Ridge. Ultimately though, an adjustment period could be expected for a 4A program thrust into a league consisting of all 5A schools.

The 1-9 overall record was Carrboro’s worst since 2021, however, the Jaguars return much of their 2025 roster as they aim to combat recent woes.

Head coach Ken Lathen is entering his 11th year at the helm. The road to a turnaround will start in non-conference, where Carrboro must caitzlize on games against Jordan-Matthews and Northern Durham — games the Jaguars lost by one score each in 2025.

Carrboro returns junior quarterback Jake Stevenson, who threw for 1,026 yards, six touchdowns, and 12 interceptions as a sophomore on 46.5% completion. A number of receivers and rushers return alongside him. Although, the returnees will need to develop further this offseason if Carrboro is to take a step forward in 2026.

Team outlook: The Jaguars have many starters back, but that may not be enough to lift the program back to playoff status in 2026.

Cedar Ridge

• Cedar Ridge did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: N/A

Returning players to know: Matthew Asay (senior QB), Ethan McCall (junior RB), Juan Gonzalez (sophomore RB), Landon Walker (senior (DE/OL), Julian Provost (senior DE/TE), Zy’On Nicholson (senior defender)

Cedar Ridge captured its first win in three years with a 28-6 triumph over winless Graham on Aug. 29, 2025. That was a positive step forward for the program under Brent Bailey. However, the former head coach resigned following last season. Now, Paul Ronga steps in to handle the reset.

As Ronga attempts to right the ship, he returns nearly the entire roster.

The Red Wolves were without any seniors in 2025, so a more experienced starting crew will take the reins in 2026. That group will be led by senior quarterback Matthew Asay, who threw for 922 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season. Asay also led the team in rushing with 210 yards.

Team outlook: A year older and more experienced, Cedar Ridge should be more competitive in the Big Seven. However, a program turnaround will be a longer process.

J.F. Webb

Players who will be missed: Mikelis Hobgood (RB) , Josiah Daniel (RB) , Anthony Lassiter (OL)

Returning players to know: Daniel Wright (senior QB), Jaylen Gill (senior LB), Alijah Kinton (senior RB/LB), Elijah Thorpe (junior WR/DB), Kaylin Thorpe (senior WR/SS), Jai Daniels (senior OL/DL), Brayden Seaman (junior OL/DL), Cam Enloe (senior OL/DL), Dwayne Taylor (sophomore RB/LB), Caliee Morris(junior LB/OL), Cordavious Blackwell-Lewis (senior OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Zion Thornton (senior RB/LB), Donovan Yancey (senior WR), Jay Wright (sophomore DL), Trey Taylor (junior WR/DE), Tavio Taylor (senior WR), Shadee Lapread (junior TE/DE), Micah Sidney (sophomore RB/LB), Kaleb Booker (sophomore RB/LB), Tay Belton (freshman DB), J.T. Pickett (freshman OL), Jaylan Terry (freshman RB), Christian Lancaster (freshman DB), Cam Haskins (freshman OL/DL), Kiseem Fields (freshman LB)

The Warriors are coming off a breakout season under head coach Keionte' Gainey.

J.F. Webb improved from a 2-8 record in 2024 to a 7-4 finish and the Big Seven Conference Championship in 2025. The Warriors even hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2008. The first round postseason offensive slugfest with Person ended in a 68-56 loss to the Rockets. So, the year didn’t end the way it hoped, but J.F. Webb made unmistakable progress in 2025.

Much of the team’s offense was played on the ground with senior running backs Mikelis Hobgood and Josiah Daniel anchoring it. With Hobgood off to Averett and Daniel to North Carolina A&T, the Warriors must retool to make up for the 3,412 combined rushing yards and 43 combined touchdowns lost. Another major loss offensively will be lineman Anthony Lassiter, who helped create opportunities for the team’s star running backs. He is headed to Fayetteville State to play football.

Even with those major losses, Webb managed to retain many of its starters, including senior quarterback Daniel Wright, who threw for 1,480 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions on 54.4% completion as a junior. He is joined back by senior all-conference wide receiver Kaylin Thorpe, who led the team in receiving yards with 679 this past season.

An array of other returners will set the ground work for the Warrior offense, and a crop of newcomers will help Gainey’s group effectively retool for the 2026 season. Among those newcomers is Vance County senior running back transfer Zion Thornton, who racked up 359 yards on the ground in 2025.

Even defensively Hobgood and Daniel’s absences will be felt. The pair led the Warriors in total tackles last season with 124 and 81 respectively. But once again, Gainey lists a group of promising transfers, basketball players making the transition to the sport, and freshmen that will be ready to step into bigger roles defensively.

Team outlook: Hobgood and Daniel’s graduation creates voids in the team’s production. But, the Warriors have retooled and will be competitive in the Big Seven once again as they eye back-to-back playoff appearances.

Orange

• Orange did not respond to the preseason questionnaire.

Players who will be missed: Hunter Albert (WR/DB),

Returning players to know: Jackson Moody (junior QB), Markus Thomas (junior RB), Kayden Brasher (senior RB/DB), Owen Phillips (junior RB), Jakai Torian (junior LB), Evan Rawlins (junior LB), D.J. Woods (senior TE/DL), Caden Hopkins (junior OL/DL), Jaxon Crawford (senior RB/DB), Taylor Laparra (junior TE/DL)

Former Southern Alamance head coach Fritz Hessenthaler led the Panthers to the postseason in his first year in Hillsborough. It was a 3-8 finish for Orange following a 42-0 shutout loss to Southeast Alamance in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.

Regardless of the season’s ending, many believe Hessenthaler has the program headed in the right direction.

Fittingly the 2026 season will begin where the 2025 season ended: at Southeast Alamance. That will be the first of a handful of non-conference games that are sure to battle-test Orange before it heads into conference play where the Panthers finished 3-2 a season ago.

In those losses, Orange was competitive with conference favorites J.F. Webb and Seaforth. So, there is reason to believe Orange can make things interesting amongst the top half of the league once again, especially considering the healthy roster retention by the Panthers.

Orange did graduate its leading receiver — Hunter Albert — but the Panthers brought back nearly the rest of the starting unit. Those returners include junior quarterback Jackson Moody, junior running back Markus Thomas (who led the team in rushing with 979 yards as a sophomore) and senior running back Kayden Bradsher (who rushed for 590 yards in 2025).

Team outlook: Expect another step forward for Hessenthaler’s group. Orange should make the playoffs again and compete for a top-two slot in the Big Seven.

Seaforth

Players who will be missed: Nicholas Gregory (RB), Patrick Miller (RB/SS), Dylan Watkins (DE), Noah Williams (CB/WR)

Returning players to know: Duncan Parker (senior QB), Nolan Greiner (sophomore LB), Tyler Truesdale (junior RB/LB), Max Hinchman (senior WR/DB), Owen Murray (senior OL), Mason Pooley (junior WR/K), Jude O'Neill (junior ATH), Noah Fuller (junior ATH), Jace Jones (junior ATH), Kieran Pooley (sophomore DL/LB), Jeremiah Gilmore (sophomore OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Noah Minor (junior CB), Dylan Papuchis (junior), Cooper Brinkley (sophomore DE)

Head coach Tolbert Matthews is trying to establish a culture at Seaforth. Last season he took over the Hawks program for its fourth year of existence and led the young school to its best record in program history at 6-6, which included a trip to the second round of the 5A state playoffs.

Entering Year 2, Matthews is amplifying everything. Everywhere you turn this summer, you see the Hawks. From major 7-on-7s at Duke and N.C. State to an array of team camps. Seaforth has been present and, thus far, the team is passing the eye test.

A big reason for that is senior quarterback Duncan Parker. The Hawk threw for 2,604 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with 56.8% completion as a junior. That was a major leap forward from 1,211 yards, six touchdowns, and 15 interceptions on 39.6% completion as a sophomore. As a senior, Matthews said Parker is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state. Parker also led Seaforth with 629 rushing yards in 2025.

The Hawks did graduate a sizable senior class, which included the team’s top receiver Nicholas Gregory (753 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025). However, the options that return appear to have taken a leap forward and should be dependable targets for Parker. One of those targets will be senior receiver Max Hinchman, who reeled in 571 yards as a junior.

Team outlook: Seaforth has been hard to miss this offseason. They have one of the most productive quarterbacks around and should make a serious push for the Big Seven title.

South Granville

Players who will be missed: L.J. Reid (QB), Jaylen Wilkerson (RB), Tashad Kearney (RB/LB), Evan Zollo (LB), Cole Freeland (OL/DL)

Returning players to know: Tyrell Thornton (senior DE/RB), Ashton Hailey-Alston (sophomore RB), Kaiden Curtis (junior WR/CB), Traevon Hayes (junior WR/CB), Nicholas Jones (junior RB/DB), Timmy Stubbs (senior DE), T.J. Thornton (senior WR/DB), Drew Hobgood (senior OL/DL), Aaron Tyson (sophomore OL/DL)

New faces to look out for: Landyn Roberts (junior RB), Aaron Tyson (sophomore OL/DL), Ashton Hailey (sophomore DB)

Entering his first year as head coach at South Granville, Sterling Johnson said he wants to establish a winning culture. To do that, he will focus on physicality and discipline.

The coaching carousel at SGHS finally landed on Johnson this offseason after the mid-season resignation of longtime head coach Mike Hobgood. Hobgood served as the head coach from 2005 to 2013 and then again from 2016 to 2025. In between his two stints, he served as the head coach at Leesville Road High School for a year.

He stepped away due to heart-related issues and was relieved by interim head coach Antonio Midgette, who was previously the head coach at J.F. Webb. Under Midgette, the Vikings surprised reigning conference champion J.F. Webb in the regular season finale and proceeded to pull off an upset at Western Alamance in the first round of the 5A state playoffs before dropping at Rocky Mount in the second round.

Johnson will look to capitalize off that momentum as he inherits a fair amount of returning Vikings to help establish his desired winning culture.

The Vikings did lose quarterback L.J. Reid and RB1 Jaylen Wilkerson. So, the Vikings shift to junior Elijah Litz at quarterback and senior Tyrell Thornton will get more reps at running back. Thornton is the team’s top returning rusher with 445 yards in 2025.

Team outlook: Johnson takes over a program that had a positive end to the 2025 season. South Granville looks to carry that momentum into a new era. A playoff appearance seems likely.

Conference Superlatives

• Toughest schedule: South Granville — Vikings take on some tough smaller class opponents in Warren County and Bunn. They also host a solid Franklinton team.
• Most favorable schedule: Cedar Ridge — The Red Wolves are looking for wins where they can get them. They will have a good opportunity against Graham again. CRHS will also play McMichael, Western Harnett, and East Chapel Hill, none of which won more than three games in 2025.
• Breakout team: Orange — Fritz Hessenthaler is repolishing the Panther program, and a healthy return of last year’s starters should make for a leap forward.
• Team with most questions: J.F. Webb — Losing Hobgood and Daniel to graduation leave big holes in Webb’s offensive and defensive production. Coach Gainey believes the team has retooled, but replacing those kinds of numbers is never easy.
• Player of the Year favorite: Duncan Parker, Seaforth (senior QB)
• Player who could have biggest breakout: Zion Thornton, J.F. Webb (senior RB)

Standing Prediction

1. Seaforth
2. Orange
3. South Granville
4. J.F. Webb
5. Carrboro
6. Cedar Ridge

Playoff Forecast

• Likely to earn a home game: Seaforth
• Likely to make it: Orange, South Granville, J.F. Webb
• On the bubble: Carrboro, Cedar Ridge