The 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season is halfway through.
To reflect on the first half of play, below is a list of the top offensive players. Players were chosen from coach submission, and stats were provided from coaches and MaxPreps.
Here are 20 offensive players to follow the rest of the 2026 season.
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Clement Davidson
Asheville High | Running back | Junior
Davidson has run for 460 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 carries.
Jams Skyes
Asheville High | Wide receiver | Junior
Skyes has been quarterback Tay Williams' top target. He has caught 21 passes for 432 yards and five touchdowns.
Tay Williams
Asheville High | Quarterback
| Junior
Williams has thrown for 623 yards and eight touchdowns with five interceptions while completing 59% of his passes. He has also run for a touchdown.
Hubert Lecours
Asheville School | Wide receiver | Junior
Lecours has caught 19 passes for 406 yards and nine touchdowns. He is averaging 21 yards per reception.
Shiloh Mukendi
Asheville School | Running back | Senior
Mukendi has 1,210 rushing yards, the fourth-best total in the nation. He has also added eight touchdowns on 105 carries.
Zane Cheuvront
Avery County | Running back | Senior
Cheuvront has run for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns on 119 carries through five games.
Kingston Welch
Cherokee | Running back | Senior
Welch has rushed for 803 yards and 14 touchdowns on 118 carries. He has run for over 200 yards in three games.
Mak Anderson
Christ School | Quarterback | Junior
Anderson has completed 43 of 71 passes for 1,107 yards and 16 touchdowns with an interception. He also has run for 231 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.
Jason Dorel Onana
Christ School | Wide receiver | Junior
Onana is a top target for Anderson. He has caught 10 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns.
Dre'Shun Smith
Christ School | Wide receiver | Senior
Smith has hauled in 11 passes for 371 yards and nine touchdowns through four games.
Caden Ingle
Erwin | Quarterback | Senior
Ingle has completed 62% of his passes for 1,074 yards and 15 touchdowns with an interception. He has also run for 285 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.
Jackson Summey
Erwin | Wide receiver | Junior
Summey has hauled in 29 passes for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.
Gabe Harrison
Franklin | Wide receiver | Junior
Harrison has recorded 17 receptions for 298 yards and four touchdowns through four games.
JaRon Ward
Hendersonville | Quarterback | Senior
Ward has completed 64% of his passes for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns with an interception. He has also rushed for 254 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries.
Jaylon Wynn
Hendersonville | Wide receiver | Senior
Wynn has tallied 20 receptions for 340 yards and three touchdowns.
Karod Harris
Roberson | Quarterback | Junior
Harris has completed 66% of his passes for 884 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions. He has also run for 399 yards and four touchdowns on 47 carries.
Tristan Thompson-Wynn
Roberson | Wide receiver | Senior
Thompson-Wynn has 22 receptions for 424 yards and nine touchdowns. He is the reigning All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year.
Rylee Smith
Smoky Mountain | Running back | Senior
Smith has run for 825 yards and 14 touchdowns on 67 carries. He has led the Mustangs to an undefeated 5-0 start.
Elijah Pruitt
Tuscola | Wide receiver | Senior
Pruitt has caught 13 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 25 yards per catch.
Sam Trantham
Tuscola | Running back | Junior
Trantham has led the Mountaineers to a 5-0 record so far in 2026. He has rushed for 1,006 yards and 16 touchdowns on 102 carries. He has also thrown two touchdown passes and caught four passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
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.
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This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Top 20 WNC top offensive football players to watch at midseason
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
