Five weeks into the 2026 North Carolina high school football season, several Western North Carolina teams have already rewritten expectations.
Enka and Smoky Mountain are among WNC's undefeated teams, while some traditional powers have struggled early. The first half of the season also has produced high-scoring thrillers, standout individual performances and several players who have emerged as major contributors.
With teams beginning the push toward the NCHSAA and NCISAA playoffs, the Citizen Times looks back at the biggest surprises, games, performances and breakout players from the first half of the season.
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Mountain at Tuscola
Three big storylines at WNC football midseason
Enka undefeated to begin 2026. Enka was viewed as a potential under-the-radar team heading into the 2026 season after it hired Jim Beatty from North Henderson this offseason. But it's doubtful anyone could have predicted the Jets undefeated 5-0 start. They defeated perennial powerhouse Pisgah 26-21 in Week 3, then a much-improved Cherokee 49-0 the week after. The Jets are off to their best start since at least 2012, when they finished 5-7.
Smoky Mountain puts 3-win 2025 in the past. The Mustangs are one of the six remaining undefeated teams in WNC. They graduated only six seniors, but their dominance has been startling. Running back Rylee Smith has helped the Smoky Mountain offense average 44 points, while the defense allows six points per game.
Smoky Mountain Conference struggles. The Smoky Mountain Conference is home to Murphy, Robbinsville and Swain County, three of the most successful programs in North Carolina high school football history. However, the conference started the 2026 season a combined 10-22. The Bulldogs, Black Knights and Maroon Devils are a combined 4-10, with Swain County having to forfeit two games because it didn't have enough healthy players.
Ranking top three games at WNC football midseason
1. Asheville High holds off Asheville School
The Cougars went into halftime with a 23-14 lead over the Blues in Week 4. But they struggled to stop Asheville School running back Shiloh Mukendi. The Blues scored touchdowns on their first three possessions after the break, leading to a second-half shootout. Asheville High quarterback Tay Williams connected with wide receiver Jams Skyes for a 23-yard touchdown with just over a minute left, taking a 38-35 lead. Asheville School quickly moved to Asheville High’s 25-yard line with 14 seconds left. The Cougars secured the victory after defensive back TK Davis outjumped wide receiver Isaiah Wallace in the end zone for the game-sealing interception.
2. Cherokee edges North Buncombe in 2-OT thriller
The Braves and Black Hawks combined for 126 points in their Week 1 matchup. North Buncombe scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with 30 seconds left to tie it 52-52 and force overtime. In the first overtime, both teams scored to extend the game. Cherokee running back Kingston Welch ran the ball into the end zone for his sixth TD of the game, and then the Braves stopped North Buncombe on the ensuing possession to secure the 66-60 victory.
3. Erwin kicker Gabriel Leonardo hits last-second field goal
Leonardo was one of WNC's best kickers last season. He went a perfect 29-for-29 on extra points and 3-for-4 on field goals, including a 37-yarder. But in a Week 1 loss to West Henderson, he missed both of his field goal attempts. Erwin coach Rodney Pruett sent him on to the field with the Warriors trailing Mountain Heritage by one to attempt a 31-yard field goal. Leonardo drilled it as time expired, giving Erwin a 30-28 win over the Cougars.
Ranking top three individual performances at WNC football midseason
1. Asheville School's Shiloh Mukendi runs for over 300 yards
Asheville School running back Shiloh Mukendi ran wild in a 62-31 win over R-S Central in Week 3. He averaged 20 yards per carry, rushing for 343 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. That performance has helped him rank in the top five nationally in rushing yards.
2. Roberson linebacker Riddock Dinwiddie records 20-plus tackles
Roberson linebacker Riddock Dinwiddie recorded 21 tackles, including one for a loss and a forced fumble, in a 41-14 win vs. Watauga to knock off the defending NCHSAA 6A state champions.
3. Hendersonville QB JaRon Ward turns in 400 total yards of offense
Hendersonville quarterback JaRon Ward accounted for 413 total yards and four touchdowns. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 296 yards and ran for 117 yards on 12 carries in a 42-35 win vs. Erwin.
Top breakout players at WNC midseason
Offensive
Erwin wide receiver Jackson Summey has emerged as one of WNC's top receiving threats in his first major season of production. He has caught 29 passes for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defensive
Roberson linebacker Riddock Dinwiddie has nearly matched his entire 2025 tackle total in less than half as many games. He has recorded 74 tackles with four for a loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. His 74 tackles rank second in North Carolina and 20th nationally.
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: See WNC football's top high school games, players, storylines at midseason
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