Week 6 marks the halfway point of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season.
Staff writer Zachary Huber (29-11) of the Times-News predicts the top eight games in Week 6.
Game of the Week
No. 7 Smoky Mountain (5-0) at No. 3 Tuscola (5-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
Smoky Mountain has dominated every opponent it has faced this season, averaging 44 points and allowing six points per game. But those opponents have a combined record of 5-18. Tuscola has been similarly dominant, putting up 45 points and giving up 12 points per game. Its opponents have a combined record of 8-16.
Both teams tout two of WNC's top running backs in the Mustangs' Rylee Smith and the Mountaineers' Sam Trantham. Smith has run for 825 yards and 14 touchdowns on 67 carries. Trantham has racked up 1,006 yards and 16 touchdowns on 102
carries.
This one likely comes down to which defense can generate more stops. Smoky Mountain gets the edge here after recording 35 tackles for loss and forcing 15 turnovers.
Huber's prediction: Smoky Mountain 41, Tuscola 35
Watch NCHSAA football games on NFHS Network all season long
No. 9 Asheville School (3-2) at No. 6 Christ School (5-0)
When: 2 p.m., Sept. 26
Asheville School running back Shiloh Mukendi helped his team snap a 13-game losing streak to Christ School with his overtime touchdown last season. Mukendi has run for 1,120 yards, fourth in the nation, and eight touchdowns on 105 carries.
Christ School has been an offensive juggernaut, scoring at least 40 points in every game. It has a plethora of weapons, including quarterback Mak Anderson, wide receivers Dre'Shun Smith and Jason Dorel Onana.
Huber's prediction: Christ School 35, Asheville School 28
No. 5 Asheville High (3-1) at Watauga (1-3)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
Asheville High gets one final nonconference game before a critical Mountain Athletic Conference game against No. 4 Roberson next week. Running back Clement Davidson has had an impressive season, rushing for 460 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 carries.
Huber's prediction: Asheville High 34, Watauga 21
Watch on NFHS: Asheville High at Watauga
Cherokee (3-2) at Murphy (2-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
Murphy has played a difficult nonconference schedule against No. 2 Franklin and Westside (S.C.). Running back Cameron Clem ran for over 100 yards in victories against East Surry and Reynolds after missing Week 1 against the Panthers.
Cherokee has improved a lot this season under first-year coach TC Guyer. Running back Kingston Welch has found success behind an experienced offensive line, logging 803 yards and 14 touchdowns on 118 carries. The Braves have enough to make this competitive, but Murphy's experience against a difficult nonconference schedule gives the Bulldogs the edge.
Huber's prediction: Murphy 27, Cherokee 15
Pisgah (3-2) at No. 2 Franklin (5-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
Franklin is holding opponents to six points per game so far in 2026. Defensive end Daiveon Hall leads the Panthers on that side of the ball, recording 26 tackles with seven for a loss, six sacks and a forced fumble.
Their success also came against teams that run the ball a lot and effectively. That should serve Franklin well against the Bears, who are led by running backs Zaiden Monteith and Easton Frady.
Huber's prediction: Franklin 35, Pisgah 14
Avery County (3-2) at Owen (3-2)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
Four different Owen players scored rushing touchdowns in a 46-27 win over Polk County on Sept. 18. Running backs Stephen Anderson and Donte Middleton combined for 105 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. The Warhorses' balanced rushing attack will be too much for Avery County.
Huber's prediction: Owen 49, Avery County 28
North Buncombe (3-1) at McDowell (1-3)
When: 7 p.m., Sept. 25
North Buncombe quarterback Lucas Keever, running back Kyngston Denson and wide receiver Elias Otis have helped the offense score 42 points or more in each game this season. That should continue against a McDowell defense that is allowing 42 points per game.
Huber's prediction: North Buncombe 48, McDowell 27
Watch on NFHS: North Buncombe at McDowell
Brevard (0-4) at North Henderson (0-5)
When: 7:30 p.m., Sept. 25
North Henderson running back Parker Willis recorded his first 100-yard game of the season last week, running for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in a 40-22 loss to Pisgah. Willis will eclipse the century mark for a second consecutive week and lead the Knights to their first win of the season.
Huber's prediction: North Henderson 27, Brevard 12
Watch on NFHS: Brevard at North Henderson
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 to WNC football games for Week 6, including Smoky Mountain at Tuscola
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.
