Predicting Every Team’s 2024 MVP: Region VII-5A
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While the neighboring Region VIII-5A probably gets a little more run, we can’t help but think that the little brother in the Charleston metro big-class market is rising in a hurry. The six frontrunners for team MVP honors below are…
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Continue ReadingWhile the neighboring Region VIII-5A probably gets a little more run, we can’t help but think that the little brother in the Charleston metro big-class market is rising in a hurry.
The six frontrunners for team MVP honors below are a big reason why.
Of the teams in the current conglomeration, five are coming off postseason berths from last fall, with three of them advancing to the second round. World beaters?
Probably not, but you gotta start somewhere.
Behind these six players, the next evolution appears closer than where anyone was thinking this time last year.
BERKELEY STAGS
Henry Rivers Henry Rivers 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Berkeley | 2027 State SC QB (2027)
Berkeley is one of the fastest-rising Class 5A programs in the state versus where it was not all that long ago. At the center of it all is Rivers, the team’s projected four-year starting quarterback. He burst onto the scene last fall by throwing for four touchdowns and 200 yards (and rushing for another score) in the season opener. All told, he wasn’t done until he’d thrown for 2,302 yards and 25 touchdowns against eight picks. As he continues to progress, there’s no telling what he can do as an upperclassman. But he’s got another year to prepare for that status.
CANE BAY COBRAS
Malachi Dickerson Malachi Dickerson 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Cane Bay | 2025 State SC DB, 2025
The Cobras tight-knit rushing formations on offense leads this team to a lot of close games, especially in the most important part of the season. Want examples? Three of the team’s four region games (win over Stratford, losses to Goose Creek and Stall) were decided by an average of just three points. That’s where Dickerson enters the picture. He played a roll in five turnovers from his spots at safety and corner. Also, just looking up and down this region, the potential for opponents to be airing it out is quite high. All of that makes him even more important to the Cobras’ roster and their plans of yet another trip to the postseason.
GOOSE CREEK GATORS
Meliq McGowan Meliq McGowan 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Goose Creek | 2026 State SC RB, 2026
Before McGowan (pictured) put on a little more weight and had a fantastic spring, he had already rushed for 1,600-plus and darn near hit 2,000 total yards as a sophomore. He’s got all the physical tools to play this position for years to come (you don’t accidentally rush for that many yards, after all). But what we really like about this rising junior is his instincts. Little things like switching the ball to the proper arm, having a feel for where defenders will be after the snap and preparing to change directions after a catch aren’t natural for most. For McGowan, it’s just part of his repertoire.
LUCY BECKHAM BENGALS
Hank Aeppli Hank Aeppli 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Lucy Beckham | 2025 State SC LB, 2025
Mass exodus doesn’t even feel strong enough to describe what graduations will do to Lucy Beckham right as the Bengals are preparing for a move to Class 5A. Eight of the team’s top 12 defensive players are moving on. Aeppli, though, remains. His 71 total tackles last season were tied for third on the team. He also led the way with 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. In a lot of ways, he padded the blow felt by the absence of all-star selection Drake Bull for most of the season. Now, Aeppli will have to serve as the rallying point for a defense made up almost entirely of new starters.
STRATFORD KNIGHTS
Jachin Davis Jachin Davis 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Stratford | 2026 State SC QB, 2026
Davis is coming on hot of late in the recruiting realm, as he’s been picking up offers relatively consistently since the end of the regular season. Those colleges are seeing the same thing we are – a potential starting quarterback on Saturdays. Davis topped 2,000 yards of combined passing/rushing yards as a sophomore and turns the ball over pretty rarely for a player asked to do as much as he is. Many of the Knights’ other top players are also back, meaning his part of the nucleus should improve, too.
WANDO WARRIORS
Brock Feinberg Brock Feinberg 6'1" | 230 lbs | ATH Wando | 2025 State SC LB/TE, 2025
Second verse, same as the first. Like we did a year ago, we’re predicting that Feinberg will hold this title at the end of his senior season, too. At 6-foot-1 and 225 or so pounds, he’s a solid of combination of strength and speed to get the job done at this level. He teams up well with fellow linebacker Brayden Berry on defense and and pitches in on offense as an H-Back. While we like his skill set there, he’s probably more influential as a linebacker and most certainly improved his college prospects after performing well on that side of the ball in his first year last fall.