The Citizen Times ranked the top 15 Western North Carolina high school football players returning for the 2026 NCHSAA and NCISAA football season.
Now, it's your turn to vote for the best.
Vote for the Ingles WNC preseason player of the year. Voting will close Aug. 13 at noon.
Anton Oladejo, Asheville School, OL: Oladejo is one of WNC's top offensive lineman prospects, standing at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds. He recorded 60 pancakes and was named All-State for NCISAA Division II.
JaRon Ward, Hendersonville, QB: Ward completed 68% of his passes for 2,390 yards and 29 touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed for 195 yards and six touchdowns.
Jude Pinkerton, Murphy, DL: Pinkerton racked up 76 tackles with 23 for a loss, 28 quarterback hurries and two
sacks. He added four forced fumbles and broke up three passes.
Parker Willis, North Henderson, RB: Willis ran for 2,148 yards and 24 touchdowns on 256 carries and reached 100 yards in all 11 of his games. He had five 200-yard games, including a 281-yard performance against Tuscola.
Tariq Sibert, Roberson, DL: Sibert helped the Rams win the Mountain Athletic Conference, recording 12 sacks, 31 tackles for a loss, 63 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Tristan Thompson-Wynn, Roberson, WR: Thompson-Wynn is the reigning All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year. He transferred from Brevard to Roberson after helping the Blue Devils reach the state championship game for the first time since 1988. He had 1,450 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns, which ranked second and third in the state. Ingles
Elijah Pruitt, Tuscola, DB: Pruitt has consistently been one of WNC's top defensive players over the past two seasons. He led the area in interceptions with six, adding eight pass deflections and 44 tackles.
Ty Walker, Tuscola, LB: Walker finished tied for third with the most tackles in WNC with 144 last season. He contributed 11 for a loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Vote for the Ingles WNC football preseason player of the year
