Cabarrus County high school football preview: Which teams could wind up on top?
Which Cabarrus County teams could play for a football title? Which players have been offered college scholarships? Here’s an outlook on the area’s season.
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AL BROWN
Coach: Justin Hardin (4th season)
2025 record: 8-4
Returning starters: 11
Key returnees: Lemar Grier (5-10, 190, RB, Sr.); Dhilyn Hollis (5-11, 200, MLB/WR, Sr.); Demetrius Adams (6-0, 190, OLB, Sr.); Sabreion Campbell (5-10, 210, C, Sr.); Faison Manning (5-10, 205, OLB, Sr.); AJ Settles (5-10, 180, QB, Sr.); Hezzi Allison (5-8, 239, DT, Sr.); Jolon Blackwood (5-9, 290, OL, Sr.); Caleb Tanner (5-8, 150, DB, Sr.); Ryan Fowler (5-9, 155, DB, Sr.); Gabe Jackson (5-9, 160, DB, Sr.); Jaylin Mobley (6-3, 230, DE, Sr.).
Key newcomers: Ryan Wolford (6-0, 220, TE, Jr.); Ashton Chavis (5-7, 160, WR/RB/DB, Jr.); Jamaree Russell (5-6, 140, WR, Soph.); Dalton Yow (6-2, 210, OT, Jr.); William Ryerson (6-0, 210, OL, Jr.).
Outlook: Five Brown players have been offered college scholarships and the Wonders will have a deep and experienced team this season that should challenge for a league title.
CANNON SCHOOL
Coach: Jamaal Birch (2nd season, 7-5 overall)
2025 record: 7-5
Returning starters: 9
Key returnees: Lucas Lopez (6-1, 200, QB, 2028 — Second Team All Western Conference); Marcus Sales (6-1, 160, WR, 2027 — First Team All-State); Kingston Davis (5-10, 180, DB, 2027 — First Team All-State); Trey Floyd (6-0, 185, DB, 2027 — Second Team All Western Conference); Tyzir Dyer (6-1, 165, DB, 2027 — Second Team All Western Conference); Jackson Laws (6-3, 215, DE, 2027 — First Team All Western Conference); Fedel Smith (6-0, 225, LB, 2027 — Second Team All Western Conference); Jackson Manies (6-5, 265, OL, 2028 — Second Team All Western Conference); Spence Williamson (5-7, 160, WR, 2027); Kaden Williams (6-0, 230, DT, 2029); Charlie Ankrom (5-10, 200, DT, 2027); Kemar Ford (5-10, 160, DB, 2027); Will Davis (5-10, 175, DB, 2027).
Key newcomers: Titus Troy (RB, 2028 — First Team All-Conference); Malachi Prah-Ennin (OL, 2028 — All-Conference); Sione Latimore (WR, 2028 — First Team All-Conference); Andrew Lane (OL, 2028); Kipton Campbell (OL, 2029); Lej’end Lockwood (LB, 2029 — All-Conference).
Outlook: Cannon returns 3-year starter Lucas Lopez at QB with a good defense front. A young secondary is liked to be tested and will have to develop quickly for the Cougars to match last season’s win total.
CENTRAL CABARRUS
Coach: Donnie Kiefer
2025 record: 5-7
Returning starters: 14
Key returnees: Infinite Morrow (6-4, 270, DL/OL/TE, Sr. — All-Conference; D1 offers); Dillon Ryan (5-10, 165, QB, Sr.); Bryson Pate (6-2, 250, DL/TE, Sr. — D1 offers); Jorden Bryson (6-2, 300, OL/DL, Jr.); Aiden Smith (5-10, 170, DB/RB, Jr.); King Howard (5-7, 155, Jr.); Malachi Edwards (6-3, 175, WR/S, Sr.); Caleb Gray (6-2, 165, WR/S, Sr.); Logan Jimenez (5-10, 170, RB/LB, Sr.); Kahlil Parks (6-2, 160, DB/WR, Sr.); Ryan Blimline (6-0, 265, OL/DL, Sr.); Elijah Brown (6-3, 235, DL/OL, Jr.); Laqui Mitchell-Moore (5-10, 170, RB/LB, Sr.); Jamari Bost (5-10, 165, DB/QB, Jr.); Caiden Wigfall (6-0, 180, LB/RB, Sr.).
Key newcomers: Dallas South (6-0, 190, LB/TE, Soph. — JV); Cooper Harrington (6-0, 215, LB/OL, Jr. — JV); Kardeerar Cuthbertson (5-10, 160, RB/DB, Jr. — Concord transfer); Rayshawn Hooker (6-1, 180, WR/S, Soph. — JV); King Butler (6-0, 185, RB/S, Soph.); Caron Ferris (5-9, 160, WR/DB, Jr.); William Reynolds (5-7, 165, RB/DB, Jr. — moved from New York).
Outlook: Central Cabarrus is conference championship contender and will try to win the sixth playoff game in school history this season. Coach Kiefer has been part of three of the school’s previous postseason wins — one as a player and two as head coach in 2013 and 2025.
CONCORD
Coach: Darren Shepherd (22-40 overall)
2025 record: 7-5
Returning starters: 8
Key returnees: Karter Earl (6-2, 290, OL/DL, Sr.); Harley Isenhour (5-11, 255, OL/DL, Sr.); Damorya Earl (5-5, 125, QB, Sr.); Izaiah Sanders (5-8, 155, RB, Sr.); Anthony Gilbert (5-9, 150, WR, Sr.); Naz Freeman (6-0, 190, WR, Jr.).
Key newcomer: Steven Fleming (DB/WR, Fr.)
COX MILL
Coach: Wes Herlocker (first year)
2025 record: 4-6
Returning starters: 6
Key returnees: Juice Hall (RB, Sr.); Jordan Peagus (DB, Sr. — All-Conference); Mike Mazzoni (LB, Sr.); Luke Miner (OL, Jr.); Carter Casteel (QB, Jr. — All-Conference); Maxwell Bromberg (K, Jr. — All-Conference); Nehemiah Richardson (RB, Jr.); Carson Falcon (WR, Jr.); Jordan Scott (CB, Jr.); Tyler Burris (OL, Jr.); Xavier Smalls (OL, Jr.).
Key newcomers: Kamari Gray (OL, Soph.); Sean Espinoza (OL, Soph.); Nashawn Smith (TE/DE, Jr.); Carden Todd (RB, Jr.); Jamare Boulware (DL, Jr.).
Outlook: Just four seniors are starting for Cox Mill, which returns several all-conference players for Herlocker in his first year. A .500 or better record is possible.
JM ROBINSON
Coach: Jason Seidel (4th year at Robinson, 85-30 overall)
2025 record: 11-2
Returning starters: 16
Key returnees: Aury Greenfield (6-1, 180, QB, 2027 — SPC Conference Player of the Year); Ennis Stiles (5-11, 210, RB/LB, 2028 — All-State; 1st Team All-Conference; multiple P4 offers); Landen Harding (6-2, 275, DL, — 1st Team All-Conference; multiple P4 offers); Isaiah Woodburn (6-1, 210, LB, — All-State; 1st Team All-Conference; multiple P4 offers); Josh Tate (6-2, 230, LB, — 1st Team All-Conference); Tyson VanDyke (6-1, 185, WR, 2027); Maurice Miller (5-10, 180, RB/Slot, 2027).
Key newcomers: KJ Allen (6-1, 180, DB, 2027); Terrell Fleming (5-11, 175, DB, 2027); Lance Martin (6-3, 270, OL, 2028); Kaleb McCullough (6-1, 175, DB, 2028).
Outlook: With 16 starters back — eight on each side of the ball — from a team that reached the 5A quarterfinals, Robinson is a threat to win a title in 2026. The big question is the offensive line, which will be young. If that holds up and develops watch out.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Coach: Daniel Crosby (6th year, 39-38 overall)
2025 record: 8-4
Returning starters: 9
Key returnees: Jett Biles (5-8, 165, RB, Sr.); Bricen Douglas (6-3, CB, Sr.); Lincoln Gaddis (6-2, 235, DE, Sr. — All-Conference); Easton Huneycutt (5-11, 215, OL, Sr.); Cooper Mullis (6-1, 285, OL, Sr. — All-Conference); Austin Negre (5-9, 200, OL, Sr.); Walker Wyatt (6-1, 225, LB, Sr. — All-Conference); Eli Voncannon (5-9, 155, OLB, Jr. — All-Conference); Keen Yount (5-10, 165, QB, Jr.); Mac Raffaldt (6-2, 185, TE, Jr.).
Key newcomers: Keaton Lee (5-11, 195, S, Sr.); Aiden Saxman (6-0, 180, CB, Sr.); Souhoud Ouangre (5-11, 290, DL, Jr.); Russell Smith (5-11, 200, LB, Jr.); Corban Kean (6-2, 220, OL, Soph.).
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Outlook: Expect Mount Pleasant to be a contender for a league title and a tough playoff opponent, coming off an an 8-4 season in 2025 with a third round playoff appearance.
NORTHWEST CABARRUS
Coach: Eric Morman
2025 record: 7-4
Returning starters: 11
Key returnees: Hudson Irwin (6-4, 200, QB, Sr. — SPC All-Conference); Shane Lucaas-Walker (6-4, 240, TE, Jr. — SPC All-Conference); Josiah Mitchell (6-3, 230, DE, Sr. — SPC All-Conference); Caleb Bryant (6-2, 195, WR, Sr. — SPC All-Conference); Emmanuel Rucker (6-3, 245, DE, Sr.); Tyree Crudup (6-0, 225, LB, Jr.); Nate Jones (5-10, 175, WR, Sr.); Thomas Brady (5-10, 250, OG, Jr.); Chase Smith (5-10, 245, OG, Sr.); Zack Riddle (5-10, 215, LB, Sr.); Matthias Woolfolk (6-0, 180, WR/DB, Soph.); La’Royce Wright (6-0, 200, LB, Jr.); Pierce Simpson (6-2, 215, LB, Jr.); Domenick Furner (6-3, 250, OT, Soph.); Jakobe Thomas (6-3, 225, DE, Jr.).
Key newcomer: Jeremiah Christopher (6-0, 190, WR, Sr.; A.L Brown transfer).
Outlook: Northwest Cabarrus has a two-year quarterback returning with a plethora of skill and talent on a team hungry to beat last year’s second round playoff appearance.
WEST CABARRUS
Coach: Matthew Jenkins (2nd year at West Cabarrus, 106-52 overall)
2025 record: 6-6
Returning starters: 11
Key returnees: Blake Albury (5-11, 240, OL, Sr.); Kieran Duncan (5-11, 260, OL, Sr.); Tre Spencer (5-10, 225, OL, Sr.); Jayden Reid (5-10, 190, WR, Sr.); Brendon Williams (6-1, 185, WR, Sr.); Noah Carpenter (5-10, 170, RB, Sr.); Thomas Strickland (6-3, 250, DE, Sr.); Rodriguez Harrison (5-10, 160, DB, Sr.); RP Betler (6-0, 190, K/P, Soph.); Christian Hill (5-10, 160, DB, Jr.); Ethan McQueen (6-1, 240, DE, Jr.); Brooks Jenio (6-1, 180, QB, Sr.); Kelsey Robinson (5-10, 155, WR, Jr.); Khamian Hargrave (6-0, 200, LB, Sr.); Beckett Bloxham (6-0, 200, LB, Jr.); Da’Jon Barringer (5-11, 185, RB, Jr.).
Key newcomers: Chase Scrianko (5-11, 175, QB, Jr.); Makai Mathis (6-0, 280, DL, Jr.); Mahki Foster-Reaves (5-9, 150, CB, Soph.); Jacorey Wright (5-9, 155, DB, Soph.); Jakai Jones (5-10, 165, WR, Jr.).
Outlook: Jenkins, formerly the coach at North Carolina state power Hough, returns a veteran offensive line, good skill position players and a kicker he thinks is Division I capable. West Cabarrus could be a sneaky pick to have a big year.
Karter Earl, Concord, 6-2, 290, OL/DL, Sr.: Two-way player for the Spiders has experience, size.
Aury Greenfield, JM Robinson: Greenfield, a senior QB, threw for 2,574 yards and 26 touchdowns last season, and he ran for 1,040 yards and nine more scores.
Lemar Grier, AL Brown: As a junior, Grier rushed 199 times for 1,320 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Landen Harding, JM Robinson: A rising junior defensive lineman, Harding had 69 tackles, with 18 of them being for a loss. He also had five sacks.
Dhilyn Hollis, AL Brown: The senior linebacker had 97 tackles last season, including 13 for a loss and three sacks.
Lucas Lopez, Cannon: Lopez had a big sophomore season at quarterback, throwing for 2,491 yards and 33 touchdowns.
Shane Lucas-Walker, Northwest Cabarrus: Lucas-Walker had a strong sophomore season at tight end, with 15 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 33.4 yards per catch.
Infinite Morrow, Central Cabarrus: A 6-4, 270-pound offensive and defensive lineman, Morrow was an all-conference pick last season and has multiple Division I offers.
Jordan Peagus, Cox Mill: Peagus was all-conference as a junior, when he had 33 tackles and six passes defended.
AJ Settles, AL Brown: Senior quarterback threw for 1,203 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 670 yards and 13 scores.
Ennis Stiles, JM Robinson: A junior running back/linebacker, Stiles had a monster sophomore season: 595 yards and 7 TDs rushing, plus 100 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and three sacks on defense.
Isaiah Woodburn, JM Robinson: A rising junior linebacker, Woodburn had 134 tackles last season, including 19 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.
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SOUTH PIEDMONT
(Predictions from Talking Preps co-host Gary Richmond)
GREATER METRO 6A/7A
(Predictions from Gary Richmond, co-host Talking Preps)
NCISAA WESTERN
Note: The Observer did not receive preseason information from Hickory Ridge.
This story was originally published August 14, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
