The 2026 high school football season will open on August 21, kicking off a campaign that stretches through October 30 for the regular slate, then moves into postseason play beginning November 6, regionals on December 4 and state finals slated for December 10‑12.
Key Dates
Fans can mark their calendars for a tightly packed schedule: regular‑season games conclude at the end of October, after which the top teams advance to the playoffs, culminating in the championship series in early December.
Quarterbacks to Watch
Among the most anticipated signal‑callers is Jayden Adams of Cherryville High School, who completed roughly 54 percent of his passes for 701 yards and six touchdowns while adding 101 rushing yards and another score on the ground.
K.J. Bell of Crest High School posted a more prolific passing season, hitting 59 percent of his throws for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he also contributed three rushing scores, helping the Mountaineers to an eight‑win campaign.
Rashad Lynch of Lincolnton High School combined efficiency with volume, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,699 yards and 33 touchdowns, while his legs added 1,116 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
A.J. McClain from Ashbrook High School recorded 1,049 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, supplementing those numbers with 483 rushing yards and four scores.
An’Dre Ramseur of Mountain Island Charter School threw for 1,701 yards and 19 touchdowns, and he also ran for 1,127 yards and ten touchdowns, underscoring his all‑purpose impact.
Cayden Rumph of South Point High School distinguished himself as a pure rusher, gaining 376 yards on 32 carries and scoring eight touchdowns, while Cam Stillwell of Stuart Cramer added a modest but effective passing line of 220 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season at East Gaston, pairing it with 167 rushing yards and two scores.
The convergence of these statistics sets the stage for competitive races in the upcoming playoffs, with each signal‑caller bringing a distinct blend of arm strength, accuracy and mobility.
As the regular season draws to a close, the data collected will serve as a baseline for coaches shaping game plans for the postseason, and fans can expect a slate of matchups that highlight the diverse talents of these returning quarterbacks.