Eight Cabarrus County football programs open the 2026 season Friday, Aug. 21, a week after the county Jamboree on Aug. 14 gave fans their first taste of live action at Jay M. Robinson High School.
Here's where every local team lines up for the first three weeks, according to schedules posted on MaxPreps.
Week 1 — Friday, Aug. 21
Home | Visitor |
|---|---|
Cox Mill | Marvin Ridge |
Central Cabarrus | Montgomery Central |
West Cabarrus | Northwest Cabarrus |
Hickory Ridge (Harrisburg) | Providence |
Mount Pleasant | Concord |
Charlotte Country Day | Jay M. Robinson |
Five of the eight county squads play at home. The Jay M. Robinson Bulldogs, who entered the season ranked No. 3 in the Charlotte Observer's preseason Sweet 16 poll with dual-threat quarterback Aury Greenfield returning, travel to Charlotte Country Day.
The Concord Spiders head to Mount Pleasant for a county rivalry to open the year.
Week 2 — Friday, Aug. 28
Home | Visitor |
|---|---|
Northwest Cabarrus | Central Cabarrus |
Concord | A.L. Brown (Kannapolis) |
Jay M. Robinson | West Cabarrus |
Rocky River (Mint Hill) | Cox Mill |
Carson (China Grove) | Mount Pleasant |
Hickory Ridge does not have a Week 2 opponent listed on MaxPreps, suggesting a bye.
The Spiders host crosstown rival A.L. Brown of Kannapolis, while the Bulldogs welcome West Cabarrus for an all-Concord matchup.
Week 3 — Friday, Sept. 4
Home | Visitor |
|---|---|
Hickory Ridge (Harrisburg) | South Iredell |
Concord | North Gaston |
Jay M. Robinson | A.C. Reynolds |
West Cabarrus | Lake Norman |
Mount Pleasant | Central Cabarrus |
Cuthbertson (Waxhaw) | Cox Mill |
Ashbrook (Gastonia) | Northwest Cabarrus |
Central Cabarrus spotlight
Head coach Donnie Kiefer enters his second season in his second stint leading the Vikings, who reached the playoffs in 2025, according to the Independent Tribune. Central Cabarrus opens at home against Montgomery Central before back-to-back road trips to Northwest Cabarrus and Mount Pleasant.
What's ahead
The full season schedule, including conference play, is available on each team's MaxPreps page. The first all-county clashes arrive Week 2 when Central Cabarrus visits Northwest Cabarrus and West Cabarrus travels to Jay M. Robinson on Aug. 28.
