Hickory, Watauga pace HSOT’s preseason rankings for the 828 area code
HighSchoolOT has released its preseason football rankings for the 828 area code early to HSOT Insiders.
HSOT has two sets of rankings: a statewide Top 25 and top 15s for each of North Carolina’s six area codes.
Our 828 area code region consists of these counties: Alexander, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey.
Unsurprisingly, defending N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A state champion Hickory tops the first rankings for the 828 area. The Red Tornadoes finished last season with a 16-0 overall record despite many of their best players only being juniors. When a team wins a state championship ahead of schedule, all eyes are going to be on them at the start of the following season. Hickory has one of North Carolina’s very best trios in senior quarterback Brady Stober, senior running back Isiah Lackey, and senior wide receiver Jamien Little. Stober is committed to Samford, while Little will play for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Watauga High out of Boone is another team that impressed in the playoffs despite perhaps being a year early. The No. 2 Pioneers return 95% of last year’s rushing attack, which includes star senior quarterback Maddox Greene. The now-senior rushed for 1,364 yards and 18 touchdowns during his junior season.
A.C. Reynolds comes in at No. 3. The Rockets missed Appalachian State running back commit Max Guest for just about every game of his junior year. Guest is back this year and is expected to have a big season. The biggest story out of Reynolds this offseason has been the addition of junior quarterback Ely Hamrick from IMG Academy. The 6-foot-4 passer has a collection of Power 5 and other FBS offers.
More of HSOT’s North Carolina High School Football Rankings
See the full 828 preseason rankings below. Stay tuned for a new early release each day.
Preseason 828 Area Code Rankings
- Hickory (16-0)
- Watauga (12-1)
- A.C. Reynolds (9-4)
- Christ School (4-7)
- Pisgah (9-3)
- Asheville (5-6)
- T.C. Roberson (9-3)
- Brevard (10-3)
- West Henderson (13-1)
- Mountain Heritage (10-3)
- Bunker Hill (13-1)
- Swain County (11-2)
- Mitchell (9-3)
- Robbinsville (13-2)
- Asheville School (8-3)
828 football fans: save this page. This is where we’ll update these rankings each week. Area code rankings will be updated on Sundays.
Source: highschoolot.com