Week 1 of the 2026 Western North Carolina high school football season is here after a long offseason.
There is one top-five matchup this week between Franklin and Murphy and several top-20 matchups.
Ahead of the season opener, staff writer Zachary Huber (96-30 in 2025) of the Times-News makes predictions for the top eight games.
Watch NCHSAA football games on NFHS Network all season long
Game of the Week
No. 11 North Henderson at No. 24 Enka
When: 7 p.m.
The storylines surrounding this game made it our top matchup this week. Jim Beatty left North Henderson to coach Enka this offseason. Beatty served as the position coach for North Henderson coach Jake Sell when he played at Mars Hill. Sell also served as an
assistant coach on Beatty's staff for the past three seasons. The Knights are also itching to defeat their former coach.
The Jets should be much improved in 2026 under Beatty, who excels at coaching fundamentals and always builds a physical, hard-nosed team. But North Henderson still has running back Parker Willis, who had the seventh-most rushing yards in North Carolina with 2,148 last season.
Huber's prediction: North Henderson 21, Enka 14
Watch on NFHS: North Henderson at Enka
No. 4 Franklin at No. 5 Murphy
When: 7:30 p.m.
The Panthers are expected to be one of the best teams in WNC entering the 2026 season. Quarterback Anderson Terrell, running back/linebacker Garrett Young, wide receiver/cornerback Gabe Harrison and defensive end Daiveon Hall are talented players who should help Franklin compete with Murphy.
But stopping Murphy running back Cameron Clem will be difficult. Clem helped the Bulldogs reach the state championship game, running for 1,146 of his 1,831 yards last season during their playoff run.
Huber's prediction: Murphy 28, Franklin 24
No. 14 Mountain Heritage at No. 16 Pisgah
When: 7:30 p.m.
Pisgah is carrying a chip on its shoulders after being overlooked heading into the 2026 season after graduating 22 seniors. The Bears had the most impressive performance at the Pat Ryan Buncombe County Jamboree, narrowly falling to Asheville High 21-13.
Running backs Easton Frady and Zaiden Monteith and Pisgah's offensive line should do well against a Mountain Heritage defense that had to replace 10 starters from a season ago. Wide receiver Tahari McLean should also be able to make some plays in the passing game.
Huber's prediction: Pisgah 28, Mountain Heritage 27
No. 13 Robbinsville at No. 8 Tuscola
When: 7:30 p.m.
Robbinsville used a 14-point fourth quarter to knock off Tuscola 28-14 in 2025. But several of those key players graduated this offseason. The Mountaineers return nearly everyone.
Running back Sam Trantham is due for a strong season, following the graduation of quarterback Jett Bartley. He rushed for 1,450 yards and 12 touchdowns on 173 carries last season. I expect Trantham to kick off a strong 2026 campaign in Week 1.
Huber's pick: Tuscola 21, Robbinsville 17
No. 1 Roberson at Huss
When: 7 p.m.
Roberson narrowly defeated Huss 12-10 last season. The Huskies are expected to be better in 2026, but it still won't be enough to avenge that 2025 loss.
The Rams were already expected to be one of WNC's top teams before landing Brevard transfer Tristan Thompson-Wynn, who is the reigning All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year. His addition turns the Rams into a juggernaut who will be difficult to beat this season.
Huber's pick: Roberson 38, Huss 21
Watch on NFHS: Roberson at Huss
No. 19 West Henderson at No. 18 Erwin
When: 7 p.m.
Erwin played to a 10-10 tie against Robbinsville in the Buncombe County Jamboree on Aug. 14. The Warriors' offense was slow going at first but eventually found its rhythm with running back Jah'Baree Tolbert tying the game with less than a minute left.
What they found in the running game should carry over to Week 1. With Tolbert and quarterback Caden Ingle, Erwin should be able to avenge a 27-21 loss to West Henderson last season.
Huber's pick: Erwin 17, West Henderson 14
No. 12 Cherokee at No. 21 North Buncombe
When: 7 p.m.
The Braves are a potential sleeper team in the Smoky Mountain Conference with most of their players back, including running back/linebacker Kingston Welch and offensive and defensive lineman Levi Tramper. They should help Cherokee overpower North Buncombe in Week 1.
Huber's pick: Cherokee 35, North Buncombe 14
No. 27 Madison at No. 30 Andrews
When: 7:30 p.m.
The Patriots have several key offensive players to replace in 2026. But defensive linemen Gage Thomason and Bryson West will help Madison prevail against Andrews this week.
Huber's pick: Madison 21, Andrews 13
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: Franklin-Murphy highlights Week 1 top games, predictions for WNC football games
