Predicting Every Team’s MVP in 2023: SCISA 3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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>[player_tooltip player_id='589061' first='Tucker' last='Tevepaugh']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DB/P</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hilton Head Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tremendous Swiss Army knife for the Eagles, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='589061' first='Tucker' last='Tevepaugh']</strong> should give Ron Peduzzi's squad a bit of everything in 2023. The rising senior has quickly earned praise for his efforts at free safety, flying to the ball with strong alertness while possessing the hands to finish the play and force turnovers. He's also a weapon in the punting game, earning numerous accolades as one of the best punters in the country in his class. Tevepaugh will be turned to at several different roles this season, and could do enough to bring the Eagles back to one of the best squads in Class 3A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AJ Barger</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WR/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6-1, 170lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hilton Head Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consistently one of the most reliable on his team on both sides of the ball, <strong>AJ Barger</strong> possesses excellent speed and hands at wideout and defensive back for the Hilton Head Prep Dolphins. He can be lethal in the return game and is especially strong in getting separation on the deep ball. On defense, Barger is a grinder who will relentlessly find ways to make important stops. The Dolphins will need to find ways to get him the ball to invigorate their offense in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christian Tilton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5-10, 169lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Paul II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most electric players in SCISA 3A , <strong>Christian Tilton</strong> is set to return for his senior season under new head coach Shayne Milligan. A phenom in the run game, Tilton displays stellar quickness and agility to break through open holes in the defense. His calling card is in the run game, but he's shown some ability to excel with the deep ball too. With still lots of potential talent on the field, Milligan's expertise could be vital in helping Tilton take that next step as a game manager and a game-breaker.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Benjamin Bessinger</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6-0, 240lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>First Baptist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A beast in the heart of the Hurricanes' defense, <strong>Benjamin Bessinger</strong> is set to shine in his senior year campaign. The 240-pound linebacker has excellent strength for shedding blocks and shows his physicality on a play-by-play basis to rack up tackles. Bessinger has a high motor and knows when to pursue and finish off a tackle. His leadership and awareness on the field will be paramount for First Baptist's defense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley Vicars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northwood Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riley Vicars</strong> is an experienced player who can fill in lots of roles at Northwood Academy. The rising junior has become an excellent piece of the backfield with great upper-body strength to fend off tacklers alongside some efficient lateral movement. He's also been working hard on the defensive side of the ball, showing good instincts and tackling skills at linebacker. Vicars should only improve over the next two years for a Chargers team looking to take the next step.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corley Watson IV</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MLB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6-0, 215lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pinewood Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a monster junior year for the Panthers, <strong>Corley Watson IV</strong> is ready to amp it up again for what could be a stellar senior season. Watson is strong and physical at linebacker with a terrific&nbsp; burst and reaction at the snap. His strong tackling skills paved the way for 115 stops last year by making quick and efficient reads to the ball-carrier. He can play excellent pass coverage on top of his run-stopping prowess and loves to use his quickness to rush the quarterback. A knowledgable linebacker with excellent speed and athleticism, Watson will be a rock for Pinewood's defense in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='262434' first='Juels' last='Huntley']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5-9, 165lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florence Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the brightest stars in all of SCISA football, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262434' first='Juels' last='Huntley']</strong> is set to return to Florence Christian for his senior season. Huntley took SCISA 3A by storm last year, showcasing his blazing quickness and agility at running back for the Eagles. He finished last year with an eye-popping 1,915 rushing yards while averaging 7.7 yards per touch. A show-stopping player to watch, Huntley can fly towards the end zone if he gets enough open space. He uses that speed on the defensive side as well, shutting down passing lanes and racking up an impressive six interceptions. He should be a must-see talent again for the Eagles in his final season at the high school level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tristan Heckman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5-6, 140lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pee Dee Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles of Pee Dee Academy will lose a lot from last year's state championship squad, but the door will open for rising sophomore <strong>Tristan Heckman</strong> to get his name noticed. Playing both ways, Heckman produced as both a running back and linebacker and should get lots more of the work this time around. He may not have the strongest build, but he's lightning-quick to the football and is excellent at wrapping up tackles. He came through in the clutch throughout the state playoffs, including in the championship game a year ago. The experience and leadership developed should do wonders heading into Heckman's important sophomore season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clark Kinney</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5-10, 175lbs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilson Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024</strong><br>A stud performer under center for the Wilson Hall Barons last year, <strong>Clark Kinney</strong>'s name will be one to watch in his senior season. Kinney does a great job of getting the ball out quickly and making effective reads for his offense. He likes to run the ball especially in goal line situations and is an excellent leader and competitor. After falling just short to Florence Christian in the SCISA 3A semifinals last year, Kinney will have the motivation to push his game further in what could be a wide-open division this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->