Last season

Record: 6-5 overall, 3-2 in Tobacco Road 6A/7A conference (third)
Playoffs: Lost in 7A first round to Marvin Ridge

2026 preview

Chapel Hill’s 2026 outlook can be compared to tiger stripes.

Like the way they combine colors, the Tigers, who graduated 18 seniors, will be on the prowl with varying experience on its roster. To make it all fit into a pattern of winning, Chapel Hill will operate on the “next man up” mentality.

“Two years ago, we had a couple of quarterbacks go down in the first week of the season,” Chapel Hill coach Ryan Horton said. “And we were able to bounce back and have guys that maybe didn’t play that role step up and still have us competitive and still win games. So, when that happens, it kind of sets the tone for like ‘Alright, at anytime I might be put in this position that I’m not expecting.’ And when it’s your turn to do that, you’ve got to be ready.”

That message, although not due to injury, rings true for the quarterback position once again.

Last season, Sam Zimmermann ended his high school career with over 1,600 passing yards, 20 total touchdowns (15 passing and five rushing touchdowns) and nine interceptions in 11 games. He helped the Tigers average 25.7 points per contest.

This summer, junior Landon Cuthrell and sophomore Max Wehr are in the running to be Zimmermann’s successor. Neither saw much varsity action last fall.

“We’re trying to let them battle it out and put them in as many situations as possible to see who kind of separates themselves at that position,” Horton said. “It’s going to be a good kind of fight here coming into camp.”

Whoever takes over at the offense’s helm will have solid options to give the ball to, though.

Senior Christian Brooks-McMillan will return at running back and linebacker for the Tigers after rushing for a team-high 11 touchdowns in 2025.

“He’s the definition of a do-it-all-type kid,” Horton said. “We can put him at multiple positions on defense, multiple positions on offense. He’s a leader in the weight room (and) the locker room. So, he’s a kid that you love having coming back because he kind of sets the tone for everything that you want to do.”

At receiver, senior Michael Sanders looks to emerge from the graduation of last year’s receiving leaders, which included Austin and David Campos and DJ Jeter. Sanders is a big, versatile target who can make plays down the field and in short yardage situations. During a 7v7 session at Northwood on July 14, Sanders notched a one-handed catch in the back corner of the end zone.

“He’s another kid that is poised for a big senior season,” Horton said. “He came to us and got a little bit of JV time in as a sophomore. Then last year, kind of figuring his way out. He’s busted his tail in the offseason. So, he’s another kid that can play wide receiver. He can play multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. You see when he can make plays like (the one-handed catch), those are the type of game-changing plays that you need if you’re going to win against competitive teams, and we’ve got quite a few of them on our schedule.”

Schedule
*conference game

Aug. 21 — at Seaforth
Aug. 28 — vs. Orange
Sept. 4 — at Carrboro
Sept. 11 — at Apex
Sept. 18 — vs. Sanderson
Sept. 25 — BYE
Oct. 2 — at Southern Durham*
Oct. 9 — vs. East Chapel Hill*
Oct. 16 — vs. Hillside*
Oct. 23 — at Northern Durham*
Oct. 30 — vs. Riverside*