Curt’s Picks — Week One

Here we go. We are already off to a strange start to the 2026 high school football season, with games being moved to Thursday Night Football instead of Friday Night Lights due to the possibility of weather.

North Moore vs. Fike

The Mustangs are coming off a 3-8 (0-4) season, while Fike finished 4-7 (2-4).

In the preseason, I had this written off as one of North Moore’s five losses, but after their showdown with Western Harnett at the Classic last week, it gave me some hope for this Mustang team.

Even though I have some hope for the Mustangs to finish better than my original pick of 5-5, it is hard for me to give a 3A team a win over a 5A team. Last week, the Mustangs took 6A Western Harnett to the wire, and a failed two-point conversion kept them from tying it.

I think this will be a lot closer than last year’s 27-point loss.

Curt’s Pick: Fike over North Moore by 7.

Union Pines vs. Westover

The Vikings came away from last week’s Classic with a to-do list of things to work on after playing a tough Richmond team.

Westover finished last season 3-8 (2-3), while the Vikings are coming off their historic season and playoff run.

I have a lot of confidence in this Viking team this year, and I think they will start the season off the right way. This week, the Vikings open their new artificial turf field, and I think they will do it with a big win.

Curt’s Pick: Union Pines over Westover by at least 20.

Pinecrest at Cleveland

The Patriots finished 8-3 (4-1) last season with a heartbreaking first-round loss in the playoffs. Cleveland finished its season 10-2 (5-1).

The Patriots looked good last week against Apex Friendship, but it will be a different scene in Clayton Thursday night against a tough Cleveland team.

Last year, Cleveland beat the Patriots in Southern Pines, 60-19. The Rams graduated 16 players in June, but several of their key players are returning for their senior season.

I don’t think it will be another blowout, but I do think Cleveland gets the win.

Curt’s Pick: Cleveland over Pinecrest by 10.

Father Capodanno at Sandhills Classical Christian

We have a crosstown rivalry showdown to start the season for these two private schools.

Last season, the Father Capodanno Grunts finished 5-5 (4-5), while the Sandhills Classical Lions finished 8-2 (7-1).

The two teams went at it twice last season, with the Lions taking both wins, 38-12 and 40-0.

I’m giving this matchup to the home team. I think the Lions start their season with another big win over the Grunts.

Curt’s Pick: Sandhills Classical over Father Capodanno by at least 28.