The Mountain Eight Conference is gearing up for a transformative 2026 campaign, as each program confronts the departure of several standout athletes from the previous season.
Brevard High School will miss the production of TE Brayden Crain, RB Braylon Thompson and WR/DB Tristan Thompson‑Wynn, all of whom contributed heavily to the team’s run to the state championship game.
Braylon Thompson graduated after running for 1,081 yards and 14 touchdowns, helping Brevard reach the state championship game.
Tristan Thompson‑Wynn transferred to Roberson and was the reigning All‑WNC Offensive Player of the Year.
Among the returning pieces for Brevard, WR/DB Tristan Cison, WR/DB Ty Griffin and OL/DL Tucker Miner are expected to shoulder larger roles as the team looks to rebuild.
East Henderson’s Rebuilding Path
East Henderson will also undergo changes, losing OL/LB Gabe Jones, OL/DL Colton Riddle and OL/DL McKyle Saick, but will rely on returning starters Sam Ballard, RB Chase Cornwell and RB Jesse Knox.
Gabe Jones was arguably East Henderson’s best player, recording 61 tackles with six for a loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Franklin’s defense loses DB Aiden Pitts, FB/LB Addix Sutton and OL Mace Waldroop, yet the returning trio of DL Daiveon Hall, WR/DB Gabe Harrison and RB/LB Garrett Young gives the team a strong core, especially with Young’s 1,789 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.
Addix Sutton racked up 58 tackles with six for a loss, an interception, and a forced fumble.
North Henderson’s Offensive Outlook
North Henderson’s quarterback Ayden Berry departs after a season that saw him throw for 1,214 yards and 13 touchdowns, but the team will lean on LB Sawyer Cromer, WR/DB Alex Hubbard and RB Parker Willis, who is regarded as one of the best running backs in Western North Carolina.
Parker Willis is arguably one of the best running backs in WNC, rushing for 2,148 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Pisgah’s New Faces
Pisgah will replace QB/DB Matthew Mehaffey, TE/LB Hunter Nelson and RB Landon Pope, the latter having amassed 2,159 yards and 29 touchdowns, with returning players LB Gavin Cantrell, WR/DB Ayden Rana and OL/DL Carson Riley.
Landon Pope ran for 2,159 yards and 29 touchdowns on 351 carries.
Smoky Mountain’s Bounce‑Back Effort
Smoky Mountain, after sharing a conference championship the prior year and winning only three games in 2025, will look to OL CJ Grant, RB Rylee Smith and LB Eli Snider to bounce back.
Smoky Mountain won just three games in 2025 after sharing a conference championship the year prior.
Tuscola’s Young Core
Tuscola’s loss of QB Jett Bartley, DB Brandon Jordan and LB Carter Purvis leaves a void, but the returning group of WR/DB Elijah Pruitt, RB/LB Sam Trantham and RB/LB Ty Walker aims to fill the gap.
Jett Bartley completed 60% of his passes for 1,507 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
West Henderson’s Remaining Pieces
West Henderson will miss RB/LB Zane McCraw, WR/DB Asa Ostman and QB Cade Young, who threw for 2,467 yards and 21 touchdowns, yet the returning players Isaiah Cash, WR/DB Cooper Lowrance and TE/LB Adam Watts are expected to provide stability.
Cade Young threw for 2,467 yards and 21 touchdowns with six interceptions while completing 65% of his passes.
West Henderson’s top returners are RB/DB Isaiah Cash, WR/DB Cooper Lowrance, and TE/LB Adam Watts.