The Observer’s 2026 Lincoln County high school football preview

Here is The Observer’s annual preview of high school football in Lincoln County.

EAST LINCOLN

Coach: David Lubowicz (74-33, 10th year)

2025 record: 10-2

Returning starters: 8

Key returnees: Jaxon Dollar (6-5, 235, WR/DB, Sr.); Jacoby Hunt (5-10, 185, RB/DB, Sr.); Cooper Harpster (5-10, 205, RB/LB, Sr.); Davis Beam (5-10, 165, WR/DB, Sr.); Tyson Maggs (5-10, 185, WR/DB, Sr.); Corshawn Redfern (5-11, 240, DL, Sr.); Ryan Beheler (5-10, 240, OL, Sr.); Quinten Murphy (5-10, 155, WR/DB, Jr.); Nehemiah Clark (6-2, 255, OL/DL, Sr.); DJ Tricebook (5-9, 175, RB/LB, Sr.); Sterling Greene (6-1, 190, LB, Sr.)

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Key newcomers: Zaiden Paylor (6-2, 220, QB, Jr.); Justice Kirkland (5-8, 155, WR/DB, Sr.); Isaac Wilson (5-10, 185, Jr.); Maddox Robinson (6-1, 230, OL/DL, Jr.); Channing Brown (6-3, 245, OL/DL, Soph.)

Outlook: East Lincoln returns its top three receivers and its top tackler, but is trying to replace four offensive linemen. The Mustangs lost in the third round of the playoffs last season and are deep enough, and good enough, to make a similar run in 2026, if not deeper.

Coach: Mike Byus (241-118 career, 2nd year at Lincoln Charter)

2025 record: 3-7

Returning starters: 4

Returning lettermen: 25

Key returnees: Kamari Lackey (5-8, 160, DB/WR); Ozias Clark (5-10, 185, RB/DB); Tim Polokhalo (6-2, 210, OL); Grayson Hicks (6-4, 250, OL); Dylan Setzer (5-10, 205, OL/DL); Inman Rathbone (5-10, 200, LB/OL); Brandon Hartzell (5-9, 190, LB); Alex Beasley (6-0, 190, WR); Grayson Silleto (5-10, 165, ATH); Colin Cooney (6-0, 200, DL); Clayton Stewart (6-0, 160, WR); Brody Ward (5-8, 160, WR)

Outlook: Byus, who led East Lincoln to two state titles, begins his second year at Lincoln Charter, which was 6-2 as a junior varsity program two years ago. Four starters return from the school’s first varsity team. Former Mallard Creek QB Zaiden Paylor, a 6-2, 220-pound junior, joins the team.

LINCOLNTON

Coach: Jaden Angle (23-14, 4th year)

2025 record: 11-3

Returning starters: 13

Returning lettermen: NA

Key returnees: Jalaythan Mayfield (6-2, 230, RB/LB, Sr); Rashad Lynch, Lincolnton (5-8, 165, WR/DB, Jr.); Max Buckley (5-8, 210, OL/DL, Sr.); Xyon Hall (6-2, 285, OL/DL, Sr.); Victor Johnson (6-1, 265, OL/DL, Sr.); Messiah Thompson (5-9, 150, WR/DB, Sr.); Jeremiah Thompson (5-9, 155, DB/WR, Jr.); Nehemiah Thompson (5-10, 175, RB/DB, Sr.); Jayden McConneaughey (6-2, 300, OL/DL, Sr.); Peyton Grooms (6-1, 215, TE/LB, Jr.); Dailen Adams (5-9, 155, WR/DB, Jr.); Elijah Edwards (6-1, 200, DE, Sr.); Caedon Cash (6-0, 205, DE, Jr); Jarvis Littlejohn (5-9, 175, RB/LB, Jr.); Chayce Connell (6-3, 290, OL/DL, Jr.)

Outlook: Lincolnton lost in the state semifinals last season to conference rival Shelby and returns a deep team with legitimate state title expectations. The Wolves have a plethora of all-conference talent like Messiah Thompson (42 tackles, 4 INT), Jeremiah Thompson (83 tackles, 6 fumble recoveries) and Nehemiah Thompson (46 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries). Lincolnton also has good size up front with guys like Xyon Hall (6-2, 285) and Jayden McConneaughey (6-2, 300).

NORTH LINCOLN

Coach: Brad Baker (1st year at North Lincoln)

2025 record: 2-9

Returning starters: 13

Returning lettermen: NA

Key returnees: Landen Agee (5-10, 185, RB, Sr.); Jaxon Ross (6-0, 215, OL/DL, Sr.); Garrett Sipe (5-10, 200, OL/DL, Sr.); Jackson Freeman (6-2, 225, OL/DL, Sr.); Angel Outlaw (5-10, 230, OL/DL, Sr.); Prestan Jones (6-2, 260, DL, Sr.); Bley Phillips (5-7, 140, QB/DB, Sr.); Easton Lusk (5-11, 175, QB, Soph.); Anthony Elberti (5-9, 160, RB/DB, Sr.); Logan Rogers (6-0, 185, RB/LB, Sr.); Jonathan Fabiano (5-11, 165, WR/DB, Sr.); Mason Lafferty-Boyer (5-10, 155, RB/DB, Sr.); Mason Ayers (6-2, 200, TE/DL, Sr.); Khane Huss (5-11, 185, LB, Soph.); Alex Ganges (5-10, 180, LB, Jr.)

Outlook: Baker was hired in March and brings more than 26 years coaching experience. He takes over a team that returns 13 starters and one of the area’s top players in Landen Agee.

WEST LINCOLN

Coach: Darren Ponder

2025 record: 6-6

Returning starters: 8

Returning lettermen: NA

Key returnees: Kenan Stewart (6-2, 190, Sr, LB/TE*); TJ Stradford (6-1, 170, Sr, RB/DB*); Ryan Hodgins (6-2, 290, Jr, OL/DL*); Landon Blevins (6-0, 155, Jr, WR/DB*); Landon Broome (6-0, 220, Jr, OL/LB); Christian Hall (OL/DL, Jr., height/weight NA); Landon Sain (OL/LB, Jr., height/weight NA); Dre Jeffries (WR/DB, soph; height/weight NA); Aiden Puckett (5-10, 160, RB/DB, Jr.); Jackson Futrell (5-11, 150, WR/OLB, Sr.); Cole Carpenter (5-10, 170, FB/OLB); Parker Harrelson (6-3, 225, OL/DL, Jr.); Samuel Sisk (5-11, 220, OL/DL, Jr.)

Key newcomers: Bryson Smith (6-0, 180, Jr., FB/MLB); Wyatt Jenkins (6-0, 175, Jr, OLB/WB); Kaden Steele (6-2, 190, Jr, QB/DB); Isaiah Robinson (6-2, 250, OL/DL, Soph)

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Outlook: With four all-conference players returning, West Lincoln hopes to improve on last season, when it reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to Mountain Heritage.

(*-denotes all-conference pick).

Landen Agee, North Lincoln: A 5-10, 185-pound senior, Agee was all-conference last season when he ran for more than 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Jaxon Dollar, East Lincoln: A 6-5, 235-pound wide receiver/safety, Dollar had 54 catches for 1,190 yards and 20 touchdowns as a tight end last season. He had 38 tackles and five sacks on a defense. A Georgia recruit, Dollar is a 5-star national recruit and the top player in the state.

Ryan Hodgins, West Lincoln: A 6-2, 290-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman, Hodgins was all-conference as a sophomore.

Rashad Lynch, Lincolnton: A 5-8, 150-pound senior QB, Lynch was all-state last season and is a two-time all-conference pick. In 2025, he had 2,699 yards passing, 1,116 rushing and 42 total touchdowns.

RJ Lynch, Lincolnton: A 5-8, 165 junior receiver, Lynch teamed up with his brother Rashad Lynch, racking up nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns. He was an all-state pick last season.

Tyson Maggs, East Lincoln: A 5-10, 185-pound receiver/defensive back, Maggs had 41 catches for 658 yards and four touchdowns on offense. On defense, he had 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Jalaythan Mayfield, Lincolnton: The Army All-American is a two-time all-state and two-time All-Observer first team pick. Last season, the two-time conference defensive player of the year had 152 total tackles, 26 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He’s committed to Indiana.

TJ Stradford, West Lincoln: A 6-1, 170-pound running back and safety, Stradford ran for 1,151 yards last season and was an all-conference pick

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CATAWBA SHORES 2A/3A/4A

SOUTHERN PIEDMONT 2A/3A/4A

WESTERN FOOTHILLS 4A/5A