Predicting Every Team’s 2023 MVP: Region III-5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With SCHSL football spread over five classifications and 36 regions, the talent pool in South Carolina is as vast as it is diverse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're going to tackle it unlike ever before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Red Zone South Carolina team is going to predict every team's MVP for the 2023 football season. Over the next several weeks, you're going to be able to read about which player is leading the way for his team. We'll even give you a whole bunch of highlight films to back up our predictions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Are you ready?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION III-5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blythewood Bengals</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='440461' first='Harrison' last='Collins'] </strong>QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins has a cannon for an arm and can deliver it to where only his receiver can catch it. He has great pocket presence, which allows him to make accurate throws. While he may not be the fastest on the field, he can scramble around and make plays on the run or read option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15741651/63921090041eef0c48018540' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd186"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Clover Blue Eagles</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589011' first='Dion' last='Brown'] </strong>WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is one of the best returning wide receivers in the region in 2023. He is a home run threat to score every time he catches the ball and he can fly right by you with his world class speed. He finished 2022 with 51 catches for 1125 yards and 11 TDs. He is currently committed to Clemson to play baseball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15087198/6348193e041d7a0c4c06710a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd1b5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Fort Mill Yellow Jackets</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Josh Welch </strong>LB<br>Welch makes an impact from his linebacker spot. He reads and reacts to plays quickly and has the speed and the quickness you need at the position, which is why he's used on special teams as well. He comes at the ball carrier at full speed. Accompanying him on defense will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142626' first='Gavin' last='Brandwood'], </strong>who was 5th in the region in tackles in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16865925/6362c0e115f64e0d2000a4cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd1d6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Nation Ford Falcons</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154863' first='Jeremiah' last='Hailstock']</strong> RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's one word to describe Hailstock, it's speed. He can absolutely fly with the ball in his hands and that's why he was on special teams in 2022 – he's a threat to take it to the house. You will also see him line up in the slot at receiver or at running back. We saw him make catches out of the backfield and sprint up field without losing momentum. He runs track as well and runs a 4.40 in the 40.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14559187/631e513119b0100c2c7a35a6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd1f3"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rock Hill Bearcats</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139293' first='Matthew' last='Wilson'] </strong>QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson (pictured above) will be one of the top quarterbacks in the area in 2023, and with good reason. The Region III-5A offensive player of the year from 2022 is athletic and creates plays on the run, whether it be with his feet or in the air allowing his receivers to get free and make plays downfield. One of those receivers is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012834' first='Malik' last='Clark']</strong>, who boasts multiple Division I offers and another emerging downfield threat in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360412' first='EJ' last='Ratley']</strong>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/05/2023-spring-review-rock-hill-bearcats/">who caught our eye during spring practice in May.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15071221/63937b8164df380d00186452' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd20d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Spring Valley Vikings</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267471' first='Devan' last='Crumpton'] </strong>DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crumpton will be leaned on as one of the leaders for the Vikings this year. He had a remarkable 2022 season as he attacked opposing offenses with his closing speed on the ball when the ball was in the air and ability to come up and make huge hits against the ball carrier. His ability to recognize run plays is impressive to not allow the runner to get much going after maybe two to three yards. His stat line was impressive as he had 73 tackles, 2 INTs, 6 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles during the 2022 season. Keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='404456' first='Alan' last='Hartwell'] </strong>on the offensive line as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15159836/636b2b955caa7105080c1b06' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487ce58dd227"} /-->