Conference Carolinas football will begin its second season looking much like the first one ended. North Greenville, the reigning champions, were picked to repeat in the league’s preseason poll released this week, while 2025 runner-up UNC Pembroke was tabbed second.
North Greenville was the only league squad to beat UNCP a season ago, winning the inaugural Conference Carolinas Bowl 34-20 to claim the first trophy.
North Greenville received five of seven first-place votes from the league’s head coaches. UNC Pembroke received the remaining two first-place votes to finish just three points behind the Trailblazers overall, 35-32. Barton was selected third, followed by Ferrum in fourth, Chowan and Shorter tied for fifth and Erskine in seventh.
🚨CONFERENCE CAROLINAS “PLAYERS TO WATCH” 2026🚨
Keep an extra eye out for our THREE powerhouses this season !
🏈 Cam Richardson, Linebacker | Malachi Howell, Defensive End | Dez Randolph, Tight End 🏈#chowanfootball #brickbybrick #conferencecarolinas pic.twitter.com/LCQdOQgqDw — Chowan Football (@chowanfootball) July 22, 2026
🏈 Biggest Takeaways
Three North Carolina schools landed in the upper half of the preseason poll, with UNC Pembroke and Barton joining defending champion North Greenville in the top three. The Braves appear poised to challenge for the conference title again after earning two first-place votes, while Barton enters the season with higher expectations after being picked third.
📋 Poll / Players to Watch
Conference Carolinas also unveiled its 2026 Players to Watch list. UNC Pembroke was represented by wide receiver Que Kennedy, defensive lineman Laden Ford and defensive back Justin Foreman. Barton placed wide receiver Jaiden Lee, linebacker Zayvion Brady and defensive back Zyhir Williams on the list, while Chowan was represented by tight end Dezmond Randolph, linebacker Cameron Richardson and defensive end Malachi Howell.
⭐ Players to Watch
UNC Pembroke’s Que Kennedy highlights the North Carolina contingent after earning first-team All-Conference Carolinas honors in 2025. Ferrum wide receiver Omarza Gray also returns after being named the conference’s Offensive Freshman of the Year last season.
🔥 North Carolina Notes
Nine players from North Carolina schools were named to the preseason Players to Watch list, and three of the league’s seven teams are based in the Tar Heel State. UNC Pembroke, Barton and Chowan will all be represented during Wednesday’s media day in Greenville, South Carolina.
⏭️ What’s Next?
Conference Carolinas Football Media Day took place Wednesday in Greenville, SC with coaches and student-athletes from all seven programs meeting with the media ahead of the 2026 season.
NC Football News will have coverage later in the week and in our newsletter, Small-College Saturdays.
The D2 football season kicks off around the state the weekend of Aug. 27-29, including UNC Pembroke hosting regional rival Wingate that first Thursday.
2026 Conference Carolinas Football Preseason Poll
| School | Points (1st Place) | |
| 1 | North Greenville | 35 (5) |
| 2 | UNC Pembroke | 32 (2) |
| 3 | Barton | 25 |
| 4 | Ferrum | 19 |
| 5 | Chowan | 15 |
| 5 | Shorter | 15 |
| 7 | Erskine | 6 |
2026 Conference Carolinas Football Players to Watch
Barton
- Jaiden Lee, Jr., WR, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Zayvion Brady, Sr., LB, Whiteville, N.C.
- Zyhir Williams, So., DB, Newark, N.J.
Chowan
- Dezmond Randolph, Sr., TE, Mableton, Georgia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
- Cameron Richardson, Sr., LB, Wake Forest, North Carolina
- Malachi Howell, Senior, DE, Monroe, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
Erskine
- Gary Maddox III, Jr., LB, Commerce, Georgia (2025 All-Conference Carolinas)
- Hart Cushman, Sr., OL, Beaufort, South Carolina
- Ryan Killmer, So., QB, St. Augustine, Florida
Ferrum
- Eli Foutz, Jr., QB, Rocky Mount, Virginia
- Marquise Varner James, Jr., DL, Greensboro, North Carolina
- Omarza Gray, So., WR, Roanoke, Virginia (2025 Conference Carolinas Offensive Freshman of the Year, 2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
UNC Pembroke
- Justin Foreman, Sr., DB, Greenville, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
- Laden Ford, Jr., DL, Charlotte, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
- Que Kennedy, Jr., WR, Ocala, Florida (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team)
North Greenville
- Ethan Lett, Sr., OL, Pensacola, Florida (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team)
- RJ Glasgow, Sr., DB, York, South Carolina
- Sam Washam, Sr., WR, Indian Trail, North Carolina
Shorter
- Mikey Matos, Jr., DE, Jacksonville, Florida
- Sky Niblett, Jr., TE, Gainesville, Georgia
- Andrew Waldrep, Sr., LB, Blue Ridge, Georgia
