Week 8 of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season is here.
Staff writer Zachary Huber (41-15) of the Times-News predicts the top eight games this week.
Game of the Week
No. 5 Tuscola (6-1) at Pisgah (4-3)
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9
Pisgah has lost two straight County Clash games to Tuscola. Sam Trantham has continued to gash opponents, running for 1,484 yards and 22 touchdowns. Pisgah has allowed Mountain Eight opponents to average seven yards per carry and score 10 rushing touchdowns.
Huber's prediction: Tuscola 42, Pisgah 28
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Erwin (3-3) at No. 4 Enka (6-0)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
Enka is seeking its first win over Erwin since 2007. Three Jets running backs topped 100 yards in a 57-36 win over North Buncombe, led by Tommy McKinney's 175 yards and four touchdowns.
Erwin's defense is allowing 26 points per game.
Huber's prediction: Enka 34, Erwin 24
Reynolds (2-4) at No. 3 Asheville High (5-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
TK Davis and Tay Wadsworth intercepted passes in Asheville High's 23-21 win over Roberson last week. The Cougars are forcing nearly two turnovers per game and averaging more than 30 points. Reynolds upset Erwin last week, but faces a much tougher defense.
Huber's prediction: Asheville High 31, Reynolds 17
Murphy (4-2) at Robbinsville (3-4)
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9
Robbinsville has won three straight while shutting out Hayesville, Andrews and Swain County. Murphy has won two straight, averaging 43 points. Running backs Cameron Clem and Michael Brown have combined for 823 yards and eight touchdowns on 108 carries.
Huber's prediction: Murphy 27, Robbinsville 13
No. 6 Roberson (4-2) at North Buncombe (4-2)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 9
Tristan Thompson-Wynn was held to five catches for 30 yards in Roberson's 23-21 loss to Asheville High. He entered with 424 yards and nine touchdowns. He and quarterback Karod Harris should bounce back against a North Buncombe defense allowing 33 points per game.
Huber's prediction: Roberson 56, North Buncombe 13
High Point Christian Academy (5-1) at No. 7 Asheville School (4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9
High Point Christian Academy defeated Asheville School 50-13 in last year's NCISAA Division II championship. Shiloh Mukendi helps the Blues exact revenge. The running back has 1,609 yards and 13 touchdowns on 132 carries, fifth-most rushing yards nationally.
Huber's prediction: Asheville School 34, High Point Christian Academy 28
Owen (4-3) at No. 1 Hendersonville (6-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9
Sebastian Jacobs leads a Hendersonville defense allowing 11 points per game. He has 58 tackles and nearly three tackles for loss per game. The Bearcats shut down an Owen offense averaging 30 points per game behind running back Stephen Anderson.
Huber's prediction: Hendersonville 41, Owen 14
Madison (1-6) at Polk County (1-6)
When: 7:30 p.m., Oct. 9
Polk County running back Styler Blackwell has 734 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, plus 264 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He helps the Wolverines snap a four-game Western Highlands Conference losing streak against a Madison defense allowing 36 points per game.
Huber's prediction: Polk County 35, Madison 20
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: Who wins between Tuscola vs. Pisgah? Predicting Week 8 WNC football games
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.
