There is only one top-10 matchup on the docket for Week 5 of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season.
Staff writer Zachary Huber (21-11) of the Times-News makes predictions for the top eight games in Week 5.
Game of the Week
No. 1 Hendersonville (4-0) at No. 9 Mitchell (3-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
This matchup will likely be remembered as the de facto Western Highlands Conference championship game in 2026. Hendersonville has the edge entering this game, thanks to all the firepower on offense at its skill positions. Quarterback JaRon Ward turned in a career performance in a 42-35 win against Erwin last week, throwing for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns and running for over 100.
The recipe for a Mitchell upset is simple — keep the ball away from Hendersonville's offense. The Mountaineers
are plenty capable of that with quarterback Owen Riddle, Owen Woody and a strong offensive line. They have combined for 473 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 91 carries.
Huber's prediction: Hendersonville 35, Mitchell 21
Watch NCHSAA football games on NFHS Network all season long
No. 3 Tuscola (4-0) at West Henderson (2-1)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
Linebacker Ty Walker has recorded 38 tackles with six for a loss and a sack to lead a Tuscola defense that is allowing eight points per game. The Mountaineers have collected 32 tackles for a loss this season.
The offense also showed opposing defenses that they can still find success through the air. Tuscola quarterback Isaiah Hyatt completed 10 of 11 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-6 win vs. North Henderson.
Hyatt, running back Sam Trantham and a dominant defense should help Tuscola defeat West Henderson handily.
Huber's prediction: Tuscola 42, West Henderson 13
Watch on NFHS: Tuscola at West Henderson
Erwin (2-2) at Watauga (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
The Erwin offense is operating at an elite level in 2026. Quarterback Caden Ingle is leading the offense and helping it average nearly 34 points. He is completing 67% of his passes for 912 yards and 14 touchdowns with one interception. Wide receivers Jackson Summey and Kobe Lunsford have become two of his top targets. They have combined for 45 catches for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Running back Jah'Baree Tolbert returned after missing the last two weeks after suffering an injury in a Week 1 loss to West Henderson. He ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in a 42-35 loss to Hendersonville last week.
They take advantage of a Watauga defense that is allowing almost 30 points per game this season.
Huber's prediction: Erwin 38, Watauga 34
Watch on NFHS: Erwin at Watauga
No. 10 Asheville School (2-2) at Charlotte Country Day School (2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18
Asheville School running back Shiloh Mukendi has been one of the top running backs in the country this season. He has rushed for 940 yards, ranked ninth best nationally, along with seven touchdowns on 85 carries. He gave No. 5 Asheville High fits, rushing for 260 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in a 38-35 loss last week. He has another big day to help the Blues get back above .500.
Huber's prediction: Asheville School 42, Charlotte Country Day School 28
North Henderson (0-4) at Pisgah (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
Pisgah quarterbacks Jaxon Swanger and Zane Wilson struggled in a 33-7 loss vs. Smoky Mountain on Sept. 11, combining for five interceptions and no touchdowns. The Bears turn back to their bread and butter from the past two seasons with running backs Zaiden Monteith and Easton Frady against North Henderson. They combine for over 150 yards to help the Bears get back in the win column.
Huber's prediction: Pisgah 34, North Henderson 12
Polk County (1-3) at Owen (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
Two dominant rushing attacks will butt heads this week. The Warhorses are led by quarterback Emmett Minks and running back Stephen Anderson, who have combined for 593 yards and nine touchdowns on 86 carries. Polk County running backs Zach McCraw and Styler Blackwell have racked up 748 yards and 10 touchdowns on 93 carries together.
Owen defensive linemen Camden McDonald and Bear Dasher have combined for 49 tackles, with five for a loss. They slow down Blackwell and McCraw just enough to secure the Warhorses' victory.
Huber's prediction: Owen 27, Polk County 20
Robbinsville (0-4) at Hayesville (1-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
The Black Knights' winless start to the 2026 season after reaching the NCHSAA 1A state championship game a year ago has been startling. But they played a grueling non-conference slate against No. 2 Franklin, No. 3 Tuscola and No. 9 Mitchell, whom they fell to 14-13 last week. Tailbacks Benton Gibby and Cameron Allison will help Robbinsville pick up its first win of 2026 against Hayesville this week.
Huber's prediction: Robbinsville 20, Hayesville 6
Madison (1-3) at Avery County (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18
Avery County went winless in Western Highlands Conference play last season but has a good opportunity to start this year's conference slate with a win. The Patriots have struggled to score, averaging only 12 points per game, while the Vikings have scored 41 or more points in their last two games against Asheville Christian Academy and McDowell. They will help Avery County break a six-game conference losing streak on Sept. 18 against Madison.
Huber's prediction: Avery County 36, Madison 28
Watch on NFHS: Madison at Avery County
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: Predicting Week 5 top games for WNC football, including Hendersonville at Mitchell
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