Predicting Every Team’s MVP: Region IV-5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How competitive and formidable was Region IV-5A last season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5A championship game was an All-Region affair with defending champion Dutch Fork and White Knoll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All five teams made the post-season, amassing a 10-4 record there. Nine players were South Carolina Football Coaches Association's Class 5A All-State first-team selections.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The addition of last year's Class 4A Lower State finalist Irmo after realignment provides even more star power to the region as well as the renewal of longtime rivalries. With the classification splitting into two divisions in the playoffs, the potential exists for two or more teams reaching a final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at which players who can emerge as team MVPs in 2024:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>REGION </strong><strong>IV</strong><strong>-</strong><strong>5</strong><strong>A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>CHAPIN EAGLES</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</u>&nbsp;</strong>QB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-10, 190-pound rising senior had a dominant showing during a six-game undefeated stretch for the Eagles. He finished the regular season with 2,505 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and threw only five interceptions. Should the Eagles develop a running game to go with an offensive line which returns starters like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851128' first='Nathan' last='Gilley']</strong>, it would take some of the pressure off Albro carrying the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15187465/64f01039578d76085082b986' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631b9ff8ced5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>DUTCH FORK SILVER FOXES </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions']</u>&nbsp;</strong>DB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Silver Foxes rode their experienced defense to an eighth state title since 2016. Because of the stellar play up front from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142746' first='Dakota' last='Jordan']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142713' first='Deon' last='Winsley']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771217' first='Terrance' last='Wells'] </strong>and <strong>Bryce Nutail</strong>, Sessions had what was considered a “quiet” season in the secondary. Cornerback <strong>Peyton Butts </strong>even led the team in interceptions. During recent combines in Atlanta and York, Sessions provided a reminder of why he's a game-changer on the field with his speed and tenacity in defending wide receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13771893/656e8315b018ba034c3897ce' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631ba426f62f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>IRMO YELLOW JACKETS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</u>&nbsp;</strong>QB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brand is an obvious choice, as the three-year starter has cemented himself as one of the top dual threats in South Carolina. His 4,000 total yards and 62 touchdowns last season dwarfed the numbers posted by some entire teams. With the graduation of running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'],</strong> look for Brand to make greater use of his legs. It also helps to have a valuable target in wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] </strong>to keep opponents honest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13506735/64fb52bbe984ab1544d65502' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631b9ff8cf11"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LEXINGTON WILDCATS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Matt McAule</u>y</strong> LB/RB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the graduation of leading tacklers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448988' first='Christian' last='Sexton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='997334' first='Montrell' last='Byrd']</strong>, it appeared the 6-foot, 190-pound rising senior would be the heir apparent at linebacker. Instead, it appears head coach Dustin Curtis has other ideas to take advantage of his “explosive” play on the offensive side. Curtis believes McAulay could potentially start at running back. He's demonstrated steady hands at the Carolinas Coaches Combine at York High School and could potentially provide the Wildcats with a running threat similar to All-State standout <strong>Jonah Norris</strong> from two seasons ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13630543/654ba4f2688ec50298a98cbf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631b9ff8cf33"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>RIVER BLUFF GATORS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] </u></strong>QB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators took a rare step back last season with their second losing season in three years under head coach Blair Hardin. While the rising senior threw for more yards (1,620 yards), he did under increased duress without an explosive running back. If River Bluff is to contend once again for the region title, it will be predicated on getting additional weapons for Murray to work with besides senior wideouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin']</strong>. Look for Hardin to use the spring to get Murray to settle back to the steady play he provided as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13002993/6501f73315f59307e04afaa6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631b9ff8cf51"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>WHITE KNOLL TIMBERWOLVES</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</u>&nbsp;</strong>RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season's historic breakthrough for the Timberwolves came in various areas. There was the consistent play of quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong>, clutch receiving from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham']</strong> and an intimidating defense led by seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142518' first='Demenico' last='Banks']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142785' first='Lincoln' last='Ilunga'] </strong>and then-junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi']</strong>. White Knoll also brought in a freshman who boosted the ground game with 826 yards and 11 touchdowns. As the defense goes through a transition having graduated key starters, head coach Nick Pelham may have to lean upon the offense to keep things afloat which means more touches for Fanning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18510055/651b6c723863fb0514a5debe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6631b9ff8cf6e"} /-->