2026 Quad County 2A/3A/4A Conference Football Preview: Storylines, Predictions, Players to Watch

Welcome to HighSchoolOT's 2026 football season preview for the Quad County 2A/3A/4A Conference. The league features ALA-Johnston, Bunn, Louisburg, Nash Central, Roanoke Rapids, and Wake Prep.

There are few conferences in the state as wide open as this one. Bunn had a breakout season as conference champion last year, but a big loss of talent leaves a lot of question marks for the Wildcats.

That story of losses and new faces can be seen from top to bottom in the league. There is no clear frontrunner or pecking order. Although, Nash Central is looking for a resurgence with a new and proven head coach in Carter Varnell.

Wake Prep aims to keep its momentum going despite losing its highly-productive quarterback-receiver duo. Louisburg had a big year in 2025, but losses will make it tough to replicate. Roanoke Rapids has some central returning pieces that should help it improve. Meanwhile, ALA-Johnston continues to grapple with being the lone 2A school amongst a league of 3A and 4A opponents.

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ALA-Johnston

Players who will be missed: Ian Wands (QB), Elijah Fulton (LB/DE), Anthony Jimenez (RB), DeMarr Williams (RB/LB), Kegian Blanchard (WR)

Returning players to know: Carter Donovan (senior OL/DL), Michael Beasley (senior WR/RB), Grant Bazemore (senior OL/DL), Howard Williams-Smith (senior RB/LB), Josh Avery (senior OL),Josh Williams (senior DT/FB), Helaire Trahan (senior LB/LS)

New faces to look out for: Ronnie Cattelona (sophomore QB), Tyler Worthington (sophomore DB/WR), NaNa Tayhki-Mensah (sophomore DB), Nick Massey (sophomore LB), Brayden Godwin (sophomore RB/S),

Since taking over the program during the school’s founding in 2022, ALA-Johnston head coach Nate Blackburn has put the Patriots on an upward trajectory. In 2024 they captured their first win in program history and went on to finish 7-4 on the season. The Patriots’ following act wasn’t such a straight forward path though.

In 2025, ALA-Johnston dealt with an injury-riddled season as it grappled with being the only 2A school in a conference full of 3A and 4A opponents. That transition wasn’t easy and despite four non-conference wins, the Pats were winless in Quad County play.

The group of seniors were the first four-year class of football players at ALA. Their graduation leaves a hole in veteran leadership. The Patriots also lost starting quarterback Ian Wands, who transferred to Willow Spring after throwing for 1,877 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. In fact, Wands was one of several Patriots to transfer out of the school.

Blackburn said his team will be young this season. He said juggling a roster of new players and a new quarterback will have its challenges, but they are optimistic.

That new quarterback is sophomore Ronnie Cattelona, who transferred in after playing QB on JV at Corinth Holders as a freshman.

At receiver, the Patriots lost some major contributors to transfers as well. Kegian Blanchard moved to Cleveland High School after leading the team in receiving yards with 680 in 2025. Even without Blanchard and other key offensive contributors from last season, the Pats will have senior Michael Beasley, who should have ample opportunity with the ball in his hands as he attempts to break the career program record for all purpose yards and total touchdowns.

Similarly, the Pats graduated their top two rushers in Anthony Jimenez and DeMarr Williams. So, it’s safe to say the offense will look quite different from a personnel standpoint. The same can be said about the defense, which lost its top three tacklers from 2025: Elijah Fulton (transfer), Williams, and Blanchard.

Team outlook: ALA-Johnston is much younger this season, but still looking to get better. To improve, the Patriots must win at least one conference game and maintain a spot in the playoffs. Even with their losses, those are obtainable goals.

Bunn

Players who will be missed: Josiah Rice (QB), Der'Ron Williams (WR/DB), Spencer Riley (ATH), Tyler Perry (RB/LB), John Cooke (WR/DB), John Turner (OL/DL), Mahki Wilder (OL/DL), Ralfael Soto (OL/DL), Corey Mann (WR/DB), Jevon Wright (K/P), Taeshawn Crudup (WR/DB), C.J. Kearney (WR)

Returning players to know: Ethan Watkins (junior OL/DL), Latavion Taborn (junior DE/DT/G), D.J. Smith (senior ATH), Ta'Ron Mitchell (senior DE/T), Cayden Davis (sophomore QB/LB), Jadyn Hicks (senior RB/DB)

New faces to look out for: Elijah Street (sophomore RB/DB), Landen Bell (freshman OL/LB), Keelan Harvey (freshman OL/DL)

Jessiel Romero’s first year as head coach saw a complete turnaround at Bunn. In the three years prior to his arrival as head coach, the Wildcats won seven combined games. In his first year at the helm, Bunn finished 8-3 after winning the conference and hosting a playoff game.

“I feel like the season we had last season kind of put us back on the map,” Romero said. “Winning our conference and playing a good non-conference schedule, I feel like we have a target on our back now. I just want our guys to show everyone that last season was not a fluke and that Bunn football is back.”

However, the following act won’t be easy. The Wildcats graduated 10 seniors, who each played key roles in Bunn’s conference championship run.

“This year we need a lot of guys to step up into those roles, and a lot of them are looking very young,” Romero said. “It's looking like we will start a handful of sophomores and freshmen. We are also showing a new defense with our newly appointed [defensive coordinator], Durand Miles.”

Defensively, the Wildcats lost some of their top guys like linebacker Tyler Perry, but they return some key contributors looking to make another jump like junior defensive end Latavion Taborn.

If graduation didn't cause enough roster shifts, Bunn also lost two key players to transfer decisions. Starting quarterback Josiah Rice moved to Franklinton after throwing for 2,056 yards and 29 touchdowns on 62.4% completion as a junior at Bunn. Also departing was senior receiver and defensive back Der’Ron Williams.

In Rice’s absence, sophomore Cayden Davis steps into the starting QB role. He saw very limited time at the position as a freshman, instead getting most of his field time on defense. Davis typifies the youth of Bunn’s roster in 2026.

While the Wildcats are undeniably much younger, they have some veterans to lean on, namely senior athlete D.J. Smith, who led the team in receiving yards in 2025 with 837. With the team’s next two most productive receivers — C.J. Kearney and Spencer Riley — having graduated, Romero is looking for Smith to step up in a big way this season.

Similarly, Smith will play a crucial role with the running back core, which lost its top rusher in Perry (777 yards). Smith will be joined by senior Jadyn Hicks, who was the team’s second highest rusher in 2025 with 248 yards. Romero said sophomore running back Elijah Street has had an impressive offseason, so be on the lookout for a possible breakout season from him.

Team outlook: The following act won’t be easy considering the personnel losses. However, Romero has established a clear direction for Bunn’s program. Expect them to compete for the top of the conference once again.

Louisburg

Players who will be missed: Mikah McKnight (QB), Dondre Allen (RB), Jahkilah Winston (DL), Demetrius Jacobs (OL), Kaden Grissom (OL), Caiden Gasiewicz (MLB), Travis Brown (WR), Jaylen Pender (DL), Chance Roberson (LB)

Returning players to know: Jeremiah Closs (junior DB/WR), Trashawn Manson (senior DB/WR), Emmanuel Bulson (senior K), Christopher Ian Branch (senior OL)

New faces to look out for: Caiden Allen (sophomore WR/DB), Kenyon Massenburg (sophomore DL/FB), Deaven Holmes (sophomore OL/DL), Ky'Eil Hartsfield (sophomore WR/DB), Ramzi Chapman (junior RB/LB), Grasyn Grissom (junior LB/TE), Jett Hamilton (junior WB)

Last season’s eight wins were the most for Louisburg during head coach Dontae Lassiter’s 11 years with the Warriors.

Louisburg opened the 2025 season 8-0 before ending the regular season with back-to-back losses to the conference’s top two finishers: Bunn and Wake Prep. Following that skid, the Warriors lost a home playoff game to Farmville Central. It certainly wasn’t the finish envisioned after an unblemished start, but it was a move in a positive direction nonetheless.

But much like other teams in the Quad County, a major roster turnover has taken place. Louisburg graduated many seniors and will be young in 2026. One of those graduated seniors will be particularly difficult to replace: 2025 Quad County Offensive Player of the Year Mikah McKnight.

McKnight threw for 1,055 yards and rushed for even more with 1,112 yards on the ground. He combined for 27 touchdowns in his second complete season as starting quarterback. Stepping into his vacant starting spot will be junior Jett Hamilton, who registered just 16 attempts and 68 yards in limited play last season.

Not only did Louisburg lose McKnight’s rushing, it also lost RB1 Dondre Allen, who logged 960 yards in 2025. No player with 100 rushing yards last year is back for the Warriors. The same cannot be said for the receiving core.

While the team’s top receiver from 2025 graduated (Travis Brown), senior Trashawn Manson returns with experience at the position after pulling in 376 yards in 2025.

Similar losses were suffered defensively with the graduation of Caiden Gasiewicz, Chance Roberson, and Jaylen Pender. Across the board, Louisburg will have new faces stepping into big roles.

One spot the Warriors won’t be transitioning in is kicker. Emmanuel Bulson is back after winning conference kicker of the year last season.

Team outlook: After a solid year in 2025, a large graduation will have an impact on the 2026 campaign. Louisburg should still make a playoff push, though.

Nash Central

• Nash Central did not respond to the preseason questionairre.

Players who will be missed: Taliek Morris (RB/LB), Jayden Whitaker (OL/DL), Kameron Tucker (RB/LB)

Returning players to know: Emory Bynum (junior QB/DB), Zaquez Britt (senior RB/DB), David Porter (senior ATH), Avery Flowers (junior RB/LB), Tristan Whitley (junior WR/DB), Braylon Whitley (sophomore LB), David Porter (senior RB/LB)

Carter Varnell is fresh off a season as SouthWest Edgecombe’s head coach in which he led the Cougars to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs (a run that included a win over Quad County champion Bunn in the second round). In six seasons there, Varnell built a strong program and was the conference coach of the year multiple times.

Now, he’s taking over at Nash Central.

Varnell steps in following the retirement of longtime head coach Chris Lee. Just three years ago, Lee led the Bulldogs to an 11-3 record as the team continued an upward trajectory. But most recently, Nash Central fell on hard times with a 3-8 finish in 2025, including a home playoff loss to conference foe Roanoke Rapids.

The new head coach inherits a team that had five players take snaps at quarterback. He will look to instill more consistency for the group and put his own spin on Nash Central football.

He has a handful of veteran players back to smooth the transition, including the most frequent face at QB in 2025: junior Emory Bynum. He will be joined by two of the team’s top rushers in Zaquez Britt and David Porter — who was also the team’s top receiver in 2025.

The Bulldogs suffered their fair share of losses, particularly on defense with the graduation of Taliek Morris (RB/LB), Jayden Whitaker (OL/DL), and Kameron Tucker (RB/LB). However, comparatively the Bulldogs have a higher yield of returning starters than most Quad County teams.

Team outlook: A new and proven head coach could lift Nash Central back to contention sooner rather than later. This could be a high-rising team.

Roanoke Rapids

Players who will be missed: Bobby Hawkins Jr. (RB/WR), Quentez Richardson (WR/SS), Demajay Williams (RB/SS),

Returning players to know: J.T. Bolton (senior LT), Joe Huss (senior WR/CB), Holden Ford (senior QB), Wes Jenkins (senior LB), Ben Snead (sophomore LB), Ta'kuan Harris (senior RB/DE)

New faces to look out for: Malik Yellorday (RB), Justin Barber (junior DT)

It may have been a bit of a down year for the Yellowjackets in 2025, but Chris Lyons’ team still pulled off an upset against conference foe Nash Central and reached the second round of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs.

Now, Roanoke Rapids has some returning seniors and will try to put enough talent around them to surge into the top half of the league in 2026.

The Yellowjackets return starting quarterback Holden Ford after he threw for 554 yards and rushed for 301 as a junior. He makes up the bulk of Roanoke’s returning rushing production. Graduated senior Bobby Hawkins Jr. will be missed after earning 601 yards on the ground in 2025.

Roanoke returns its top receiver in senior Joe Huss, although he is the only starter back with the receiving core. Offensively, Ford and Huss will form the core and a crop of young talent will fill out the lineup.

The return is more plentiful on defense with linebackers Wes Jenkins and Ben Snead ready to make a difference.

Team outlook: Much of the league lost big graduating classes. Roanoke is no different, however, the Yellowjackets do have a select number of seniors it should be able to lean on as it chases another playoff appearance.

Wake Prep

• Wake Prep did not respond to the preseason questionairre.

Players who will be missed: Austin Battle (QB), Everett Holm (RB), Justin Battle (WR), Brad Strait (LB), Hudson Hill (Def.), Bodie Williford (Def.), Myles Peterson (Def.), Jackson Waddle (Def.), Landyn Roberts (RB),

Returning players to know: Raegan Swift (junior WR), Kendrick Crosby (senior def.), Noah Taylor (senior def.), Peyton Mason (senior def.)

Since the program’s start in 2022, Wake Prep has largely been on an upward trajectory. That much is certainly true when you look at the first season under head coach Joe Campbell in 2025. The former co-head coach at North Wake won two NCISAA state championships. He also served as defensive coordinator at South Garner before landing with the Guardians.

In Year 1, Campbell already developed a winning culture at Wake Prep. The Guardians had their winningest season in their short history at 7-4, including a second place finish in the Quad County and a second round trip in the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs.

But much like the rest of the conference, Wake Prep underwent its fair share of offseason losses — namely the Battles.

Quarterback Austin Battle graduated after throwing for 2,398 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions on 65.9% completion. His most frequent target in 2025 was by far Justin Battle, who racked up 1,102 yards and 13 touchdowns. WPA also lost junior athlete Landyn Roberts to South Granville in another major loss for the offense.

As the Guardians transition quarterbacks, grapple with losses on defense, and place more responsibility on returning receiver Raegan Swift, the program will be put through a test to see if it can continue the initial success of the Campbell era.

Team outlook: New team, same story. A lot of youth in the conference this season, but Wake Prep started strong under Joe Campbell and should be a playoff team again.

Conference Superlatives

• Toughest schedule: Nash Central — A game against a strong Northern Nash program highlights a tough slate for the Bulldogs. NCHS also plays at Rocky Mount and Southern Nash.
• Most favorable schedule: Louisburg — Games with Beddingfield and Carrboro provide great winning opportunities. The rest of their non-conference schedule features trips to Southeast Halifax and Franklinton as well as a home game versus Northampton.
• Breakout team: Nash Central — Carter Varnell should help turnaround the Bulldog program after a 3-8 campaign in 2025.
• Team with most questions: Bunn — The Wildcats caught lightning in a bottle in 2025 as conference champions. But with so many impactful players out the door, can they sustain that brilliance?
• Player of the Year favorite: David Smith, Bunn (senior ATH)
• Player who could have biggest breakout: Elijah Street, Bunn (sophomore RB)

Standing Prediction

1. Bunn
2. Nash Central
3. Wake Prep
4. Roanoke Rapids
5. Louisburg
6. ALA-Johnston

Playoff Forecast

• Likely to earn a home game: Nash Central, Bunn
• Likely to make it: Wake Prep, Roanoke Rapids, Louisburg
• On the bubble: ALA-Johnston