Predicting Every Team’s 2024 MVP: Region IV-4A

The newest South Carolina High School League realignment has created an even more formidable Region IV-4A.   With Gilbert and region champions Brookland-Cayce and Class 2A runner-up Gray Collegiate moving up in classification, the 8-team region will be among the most competitive on a week-to-week basis.   “Me and the other coaches talk about it all the time,” said Airport head coach Shane Fidler about the region makeover. “The team that finishes last in our region could win one or two of the other regions. That's how good our region is going to be.   “So, there might be some teams in our region that look worse than they had, but they're actually a better team and they're going to be better prepared for the playoffs if they're still standing because it's just going to be seven straight weeks of a bloodbath. Just guys, team just hammering each other. Physical football teams with good coaching, great players. It's going to be wild!”   Here's a list of eight players who could potentially emerge as MVP candidates for their respective teams:   REGION IV-4A   Aiken Hornets   [player_tooltip player_id='816737' first='Cam'Ron' last='Frazier'] ATH   The one bright spot for the future which stood out for the winless Hornets last season was the 6-foot-1, 180-pound rising junior. His natural speed has allowed him to excel both on the track and on the football field. Having emerged as a deep threat at wide receiver, Frazier looks to have his talents utilized in more effective areas on offense.   Airport Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='1158030' first='Bryant' last='Cherry'] LB   Defense was the catalyst for the Eagles during their 5-2 season under first-year head coach Shane Fidler. Opponents averaged 8.4 points a game in the five victories. Leading the way was the 5-foot-11, 3-sport senior who tallied a team-best 112 tackles. When not making tackles, he was putting teammates in position to make plays as the primary play-caller on defense. Such leadership attributes has earned him high interest from South Carolina State.    Brookland-Cayce Bearcats   [player_tooltip player_id='860400' first='Dre'von' last='Dopson'] QB   As a sophomore last season, Dopson found himself primarily in a backup role to [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] as both battled for the starting role in the preseason. The War Eagles also utilized Dopson at other positions when necessary. With the graduation of William Young, Dopson has another opportunity to play for the starting quarterback job. He's expected to compete with [player_tooltip player_id='1020770' first='Brogan' last='Sox'] and presents similar dual quarterback traits as Young with a more seasoned arm and knowledge from playing for a offensive-minded coach in Adam Holmes.    Gilbert Indians   [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] RB   Any lingering question, post-[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'], about the Indians' running game were put the rest with the play of [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1157968' first='Krew' last='Morris']. Along comes a dynamic freshman who proceeds to take over the position in putting together a string of 100-plus rushing yard games with three or more touchdowns. Having added 20 pounds of muscle to his solid frame and already one of the fastest players on the team, Williamson is one reason to expect Gilbert to maintain its winning ways in the post-Chad Leaphart era.    Gray Collegiate War Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] QB   What more could have been asked for a first-year starter who played one of the most difficult non-region schedules for a Palmetto State team in recent memory and managed to lead them to the Class 2A title game. The 6-0, 185-pound rising sophomore emerged early in the preseason as the War Eagles' starter with strong efforts at passing camps during the spring and summer. He developed a strong connection with wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id='139316' first='Zai' last='Offord'] and [player_tooltip player_id='91353' first='Jamarious' last='Lockett'] and finished with 1,501 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. His elusiveness in the pocket also makes Waller a threat to run when necessary. Having played the likes of IMG Academy (a team Gray Collegiate will play host to this season), do not expect Waller to flinch from the challenges of a higher classification.    Midland Valley Mustangs   [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins'] LB (pictured)   Playing bigger than his height has become the 5-foot-7, 205-pound rising senior. His 187 total tackles (51 solo) and 13 quarterback pressures played as much a factor in the Mustangs' success on defense as 3,000-yard running back [player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar'] did on offense. Hawkins was ubiquitous on the field, whether it was making tackles at the line of scrimmage and disrupting pass plays both in the backfield or secondary. Expect him to receive more attention with the graduation of senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='141041' first='Jadyn' last='Simpkins'] for the defending region champions.    North Augusta Yellow Jackets   [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] QB   The 5-foot-11, 170-pound rising senior emerged as an offensive threat for the Yellow Jackets. He amassed just over 2,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns last season. With [player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown'] at wide receiver and [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe'] at running back, Tillman was able to stretch the field with his arm and use his blazing speed to set up long running backs on his own or with Doe out of the option. With most of the offensive line back as well, look for improved numbers from Tillman as well as increased interest.    South Aiken Thoroughbreds   [player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] RB   In three seasons, the 5-foot-9, 195-pound rising senior was selected Class 4A All-State twice, rushed for a school-record 4,215 yards and scored another school-record 52 touchdowns. Last season, he played in eight games and set a single-game school mark with 442 yards and six touchdowns in 42-41 win over Aiken in the regular season finale. With the graduation of quarterback Terrance Smith, expect Edwards to become even more of the offensive centerpiece. Along with his field vision and instincts, Edwards is also a valuable extra receiver. He's received offers from Coastal Carolina, Army, Charlotte, Charleston Southern and East Carolina.

The newest South Carolina High School League realignment has created an even more formidable Region IV-4A.