WeddingtonWeddington (12-2, 6-0 *SCC Champs)
The Warriors are coming off a “disappointing” 2025 season losing in the State-Semifinal game to Grimsley for the 2nd year in a row. The Warriors will need to fill the loss at key offensive positions in 2026. The Warrior QB will be incoming transfer from Independence Jared Street Jr. Street completed 63% of his passes for 2317 yards and 19 TDs for a Patriot team that went 10-3 and ironically losing to Weddington in the 3rd round of the state playoffs in 2025. Street Jr will be protected by an offensive line that will be anchored by junior center Bryce Johnson. Johnson, a 4-year starter was all SCC at center last season and is headed to ECU in 2027. Returning to the backfield will be senior Brian Walker who was productive as a junior, rushing for 321 yards on 33 carries and 5 TDs. The Warriors will need someone to catch passes after graduating 1500+ yards & 22 TDs from Kelson Tate and Jon Manley who graduated. Rising senior tight end Matthew McCoy McCoy, who may be one of Street’s primary targets for the 2026 season, has been a tight end but will see a lot of time at wide receiver and has committed to Wofford University. McCoy played in 16 games during the past two seasons, catching 19 passes for 237 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
The Warrior defense will need to reload in 2026 after graduating 73% of their starters including their top 8 tacklers from 2025. Gone are the UCHSF Defensive POY in Aidan Harris and his twin Drew Harrs who are both Gamecocks, Miles Funderburk and Thomas Davis Jr (Notre Dame). The Warriors have welcomed 2 transfers in senior DE Makai and junior LB Eric Henriquez, the two brothers transferred from rival Porter Ridge in the spring. Makai was 2nd Team All-UCHSF & All-SCC in 2025. That will help 100%. The Warrior Linebackers will be led by senior Rex Conlon, who returns after 35 stops in 2025, will be the main man. Alongside Conlon will be junior LB Beckett Powell, who had 33 stops in limited play in 9 games last season. The Warriors defensive backfield graduates James Colonna but returns senior Ace Clements. Clements was All-SCC and 2nd Team All-UCHSF as a junior after racking up 44 tackles (32 solo) and has committed to Marshall in 2027. His younger brother Major, who is a junior will start at safety for the Warriors this fall. The Warrior special teams will need to replace kicker Owen McNulty who totaled 69 points from XPs and FGs in 2025. Senior Brennan Petko was 2-for-2 on PATs last year. The Warriors open the 2026 football season on Aug. 21st at Mooresville.