Predicting Every Team’s 2024 MVP: Region VIII-5A

Region VIII-5A might be Summerville's to lose. The back-to-back Class 5A Lower State runner-up is bring back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and is well positioned to make another postseason run.   Yet, the rest of the region is prepared to make the Green Wave earn it.    The addition of a former Class 4A school with a realignment multiplier will make things interesting. So, too, will a state powerhouse that lied in wait during a tumultuous two-year span. Factor in a pair of potential sleeping giants and a squad with nothing to lose and 2024 will be historic in a lot more ways than just realignment.   The following players are leaders in their respective clubhouses to make noise even when their teams aren't making a run toward Columbia.     ASHLEY RIDGE SWAMP FOXES   [player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] QB, 2026   While [player_tooltip player_id='589052' first='Derrick' last='Salley'] was getting most of the attention for his near-national leading receiving figures, it was Kalisz who was feeding him the rock. And while the quarterback might possibly not hit his 2,989 yards from last fall, he doesn't necessarily need to in order to be effective. In a more spread around offense, Kalisz can dictate pace, keep the scoreboard lights rotating and possibly even make this a much better squad late in the year. The bigger number to pay attention to him is his interceptions. If he cuts down even somewhat on his 12 picks from last fall, Ashley Ridge will be even more potent than it already was.    FORT DORCHESTER PATRIOTS   [player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell'] RB, 2026   Campbell has seen significant reps in each of his first two seasons on the Fort D varsity squad, and now he becomes the top tailback. There's little reason to believe he can't top his 700 yards from the regular season, even if he doesn't maintain his semi-insane 11 yards per carry during that stretch. He led the team in rushing touchdowns a year ago despite giving up a ton of work to primary ball carrier Davion Brown (who took over the job not long after transferring in to the program. The Patriots will have their third coach in as many seasons, but Shaun Lorenzano has already mentioned Campbell by name multiple times in getting ready for his first year at the helm.    JAMES ISLAND TROJANS   [player_tooltip player_id='605524' first='Amor' last='Scott'] RB, 2025   The story of James Island's 2023 season vs. it's 2024 one couldn't start with a much bigger premise. The Trojans will have to navigate a bump to Class 5A after losing a bunch of seniors (especially on offense). But returning and needing to take on a bigger load will be Scott. Last fall, he was part of a crowded rotation of tailbacks. He still managed to lead the way with 757 yards and 11 touchdowns. But at 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds (verified), the player nicknamed “Tank” might be the team's best bet to power through year one of realignment.     STALL WARRIORS   [player_tooltip player_id='1360142' first='Montrell' last='Davis'] ATH, 2025   The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Davis does a bunch of everything for the Warriors. He plays corner and safety. He lines up as a tailback and at receiver. He's all over the special teams units. What keeps him on the field seemingly non-stop is that he handles his workload just fine. Stall hasn't won a region game in three years and has just two in the last 12 seasons. And while that trend might not change in the Warriors' numbers deficit any time soon, a little bit of positive momentum can't hurt. Davis is that momentum.    SUMMERVILLE GREEN WAVE    [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] DB/WR/RB, 2027   For us to say that a rising sophomore is going to be the MVP of a Class 5A team should tell you something. But we'll give you some detail anyway. Last fall, as a freshman, the top overall player in our Class of 2027 rankings amassed 110 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 pass break-ups, four interceptions and a fumble recovery. This year, head coach Ian Rafferty has already said that Kelly-Murray will play some offense. Whether he's behind center in the backfield alongside 3,000-yard passer [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] or split out wide as a target, we can't envision a scenario where he becomes [player_tooltip player_id='771065' first='Yannick' last='Smith'] 2.0 on that side of the ball.     WEST ASHLEY WILDCATS   [player_tooltip player_id='1249843' first='Davion' last='Kinard-Taylor'] DL, 2025   Who wouldn't love a 225-pounder who is often listed as an outside linebacker but more likely to put his hand in the dirt inside a pass-rushing edge rusher? Kinard-Taylor (pictured) is a bulldog in purple and black. He's strong enough to take on interior and exterior offensive linemen alike and his 24 tackles for loss in 12 games equates to a pretty nice average for the weight disadvantage he normally finds himself facing. West Ashley is a gritty squad that often needs to grind out close victories. And those TFL along with his seven sacks from his junior year go that much further because of it.

Region VIII-5A might be Summerville's to lose. The back-to-back Class 5A Lower State runner-up is bring back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and is well positioned to make another postseason run.