Opening Week Storylines
The 2026 North Carolina high school football season opened with a flurry of excitement in the Wilmington area, where early‑season matchups promise to set the tone for the year.
Laney, under first‑year head coach Coraey Houser, is expected to start the season with a win at home against D.H. Conley, a victory that would underscore the quarterback Joseph Stough’s role in the new era.
Meanwhile, Hoggard travels to Richmond in a road test that many analysts view as a true challenge, banking on the strength of its offensive and defensive lines anchored by quarterback Matthew Boring and playmakers Desyn Durand and Micah Hunter.
Topsail, returning to the helm with coach TJ Albert, is forecast to snap a 14‑game losing streak by defeating Hampstead on its own turf, a turnaround that follows a narrow overtime defeat in the previous season’s finale.
West Brunswick, guided by Aaron Powell, is projected to capture its county rivalry over South Brunswick, leveraging quarterback Josiah Borton’s dual‑threat capabilities and a core of returning players from a seven‑win campaign.
Pender continues its reputation for high‑scoring offense, with a rushing attack led by Zeke Williams and Jahiem Lambe, who combined for more than 5,000 yards and 57 touchdowns last season, positioning the team to dominate West Bladen.
These storylines reflect a blend of fresh leadership and seasoned talent, suggesting that the opening week could deliver surprising results across the region.