Western Highlands Conference football coaches have tabbed defending conference champion Mountain Heritage as the team to beat this season.

In a poll conducted by NC Prep Football News Yearbook, the league’s seven coaches named the Cougars as the preseason favorite. Coaches also tabbed Mountain Heritage junior quarterback Trey Robinson as the preseason player of the year. Polk County placed fifth in the preseason poll.

The complete rankings:

1. Mountain Heritage

2. Hendersonville

3. Mitchell

4. Owen

5. Polk County

6. Avery

7. Madison

– article submitted by PolkSports.com