Prep: 3A/4A/5A Mid State Conference 2025 Football Preview

As the NCHSAA’s realignment reshuffles the high-school landscape for 2025, the newly minted Mid-State 3A/4A/5A Conference brings together seven Rams, Raiders and Wolfpack under one banner: Bartlett Yancey, Carver, McMichael, Morehead, Reidsville, Rockingham County and Walkertown. Spanning Class 3A through 5A, this league blends small-school scrappers with larger powers. Below is a detailed preview of each program—last season’s résumé, key departures, impact returnees, newcomers to watch—and our projected finish, with Reidsville atop the standings and Walkertown nipping at its heels.

Bartlett Yancey Buccaneers (2A → 3A)

• 2024: 4–6 overall, 4–4 Mid-Carolina Conference
• Key losses: lack of shared stats obscures last year’s talent base
• Returnees to know: Core juniors from a youthful ’24 squad bolster experience—particularly offensive skill-position pieces and line-play stalwarts.
• New faces: Underclassmen push for playing time; TB Sean Hart (Fr) and OL Anderson Williams (So) could emerge.
• Outlook: An uphill climb, but with more varsity snaps on résumé, the Buccaneers should improve on last year’s four-win plateau.

Carver Yellowjackets (2A → 4A)

• 2024: 4–7 overall, 2–5 Conference
• Key losses: Transfers Nasir Conrad and Antonio Samuels
• Returnees to know:
  • Derrick Reid Jr. (Sr. WR/DB): Top receiver, four INTs in ’24
  • Quinton Stone (Sr. RB): Lead back with breakaway speed
  • Cyncere Goff (Jr. QB): Takes reins after sophomore snaps
• Team outlook: Under alum coach Leon Moore, Carver’s upward trajectory (most wins since 2021) should continue.

McMichael Phoenix (2A → 3A)

• 2024: 1–9 overall, 0–6 Mid-State 2A
• Key losses: Tyvon Dalton, Brady Dunn, Brett Menard
• Returnees to know:
  • Kai Tart (Sr. QB): Smart, dual-threat field general
  • Brayden Dalton & Trenton Leonard (SR WR/DB): Top outside threats
  • Zack Williamson (Sr. WR/DB): Locked in after offseason recovery
  • Aiden Curry (Sr. RB): Lead back with versatile skill set
• New faces: Freshman WR Jakeis Vernon; LB Solomon Simpson; OL/DL landings
• Outlook: With 18 starters back, the Phoenix are poised for a rebound and could surprise a deeper league.

Morehead Panthers (2A → 4A)

• 2024: 2–9 overall, 2–4 Mid-State 2A
• Returnees to know:
  • Trooper Wright (Sr. ATH): Inspiring one-arm RB/OLB after ATV accident
  • Brock Blizzard (Sr. LB): Defensive tone-setter
  • Hagen Barker (Jr. OL/DL); Markeis Barbour (Jr. DL/RB)
• New faces: QB Will Goard (Fr) to spark offense
• Outlook: Under new coach Tony McCants, Morehead’s growth hinges on leveraging its standout seniors and building depth.

Reidsville Rams (2A → 4A)

• 2024: 11–1 overall, 6–0 Mid-State 2A
• Key losses: OL Noah Ware, Tyreese Turner; Camron Jones; Johnniyus Sharpe; Jariel Cobb
• Returnees to know:
  • Kendre Harrison (Sr. TE): 6′7″, 5-star Oregon commit
  • Dionte Neal (Sr. WR/QB/DB): Dynamic playmaker, returns to WR/QB role
  • Kadence Pruitt (Jr. DE); Jaquez Tynes (Jr. OL/DL)
  • Michael Smith (Sr. RB/LB): Lead rusher & tackler
• New faces: QB Braxton Johnson (So); DL Jacoby Cannon; WR corps bolstered by transfers
• Outlook: Still the Rams are the team to beat—Reidsville’s blend of size, speed and senior leadership keeps them atop our predictions.

Rockingham County Cougars (3A → 5A)

• 2024: 9–4 overall, 5–2 Mid-State 3A
• Key losses: LS James Gross; MLB Jake Chandler; DB Jacobi Brooks
• Returnees to know:
  • Brady Ross (Sr. WR/DB); Gauge Rakestraw (Sr. HB/P); Christian Dela Cruz (Sr. RB)
  • Alex Page (Sr. OL); Luke Strittmatter (Sr. QB/ATH)
• New faces: QB Luke Fowler (So); LB Malachi Bryant (So); OL Zach Case (Jr)
• Outlook: Now the conference’s largest school, the Cougars’ depth and playoff hunger position them for another top-half finish.

Walkertown Wolfpack (3A)

• 2024: 8–4 overall, 4–2 Mid-State 2A
• Key losses: Mitrend Curry; Camron Torrence-Kelly; J’lynn Sheff; Jerrian Moore
• Returnees to know:
  • Camereon Cartlidge (Sr. LB): 144 tackles, DPOY
  • Santana Garcia (Jr. QB): 2,250 yds, 21 TDs
  • Jacob McLaurin (Sr. WR/DB); Eric Wiley (Sr. WR); Ethan May (Sr. OL)
• New faces: Jerrell Crawford (veteran QB transfer); Hunter Cruise & Amare Mitchell (WR)
• Outlook: With talent influx via transfers, the Wolfpack are primed for a run at second place.

Predicted Conference Finish

1. Reidsville (repeat state-champ caliber core)
2. Walkertown (experienced leaders + impact transfers)
3. Rockingham County (size, returning starters)
4. Morehead (senior depth)
5. McMichael (experience surge)
6. Bartlett Yancey (youth continues to develop)
7. Carver (upward but still building)

Kickoff for the 2025 Mid-State 3A/4A/5A Conference is slated for mid-August, and with these storylines in place—chips on shoulders, rising sophomores and senior send-offs—each Friday night promises electric battles under the lights.