The halfway point of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season has passed.
The Citizen Times and Times-News have highlighted the top 20 All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year candidates at midseason.
Now it's your turn to decide who should be the All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year at midseason. The poll closes on Oct. 2 at noon.
Jams Skyes, Asheville High: Skyes has been quarterback Tay Williams' top target. He has caught 27 passes for 513 yards and six touchdowns.
Shiloh Mukendi, Asheville School: Mukendi has 1,609 rushing yards. He has also added 13 touchdowns on 132 carries.
Mak Anderson, Christ School: 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.
Caden Ingle, Erwin: 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.
JaRon Ward, Hendersonville: 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.
Tristan Thompson-Wynn, Roberson: 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: Smith has run for 1,001 yards and 16 touchdowns on 90 carries.
Sam Trantham, Tuscola: Trantham has led the Mountaineers to a 6-0 record so far in 2026. He has rushed for 1,270 yards and 19 touchdowns on 132 carries. He has also thrown three touchdown passes and caught five passes for 121 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.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Vote for the All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year at 2026 WNC football midseason
