Predicting Every Team’s MVP: Region IV-5A
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How competitive and formidable was Region IV-5A last season? The Class 5A championship game was an All-Region affair with defending champion Dutch Fork and White Knoll. All five teams made the post-season, amassing a 10-4 record there. Nine players were…
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Continue ReadingHow competitive and formidable was Region IV-5A last season?
The Class 5A championship game was an All-Region affair with defending champion Dutch Fork and White Knoll.
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.
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.
Here’s a look at which players who can emerge as team MVPs in 2024:
REGION IV–5A
CHAPIN EAGLES
Brady Albro Brady Albro 5'10" | 190 lbs | QB Chapin | 2025 State SC QB, 2025
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 Nathan Gilley Nathan Gilley 6'1" | 250 lbs | OL Chapin | 2025 State SC , it would take some of the pressure off Albro carrying the offense.
DUTCH FORK SILVER FOXES
Elgin Sessions Elgin Sessions 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC DB, 2025
The Silver Foxes rode their experienced defense to an eighth state title since 2016. Because of the stellar play up front from Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC , Dakota Jordan Dakota Jordan 6'1" | 215 lbs | DL Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC , Deon Winsley Deon Winsley 6'3" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC , Raleigh Salters Raleigh Salters 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC , Terrance Wells Terrance Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC and Bryce Nutail, Sessions had what was considered a “quiet” season in the secondary. Cornerback Peyton Butts 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.
IRMO YELLOW JACKETS
AJ Brand AJ Brand 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Irmo | 2025 State SC QB, 2025
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 Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC , look for Brand to make greater use of his legs. It also helps to have a valuable target in wide receiver Donovan Murph Donovan Murph 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Irmo | 2026 State SC to keep opponents honest.
LEXINGTON WILDCATS
Matt McAuley LB/RB, 2025
With the graduation of leading tacklers Christian Sexton Christian Sexton 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC and Montrell Byrd Montrell Byrd 6'1" | 185 lbs | LB Lexington | 2024 State SC , 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 Jonah Norris from two seasons ago.
RIVER BLUFF GATORS
Parker Murray Parker Murray 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB River Bluff | 2025 State SC QB, 2025
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 Stephen Collier Stephen Collier 6'3" | 210 lbs | WR River Bluff | 2025 State SC and Aaron Griffin. Look for Hardin to use the spring to get Murray to settle back to the steady play he provided as a sophomore.
WHITE KNOLL TIMBERWOLVES
Tiyon Fanning Tiyon Fanning 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB White Knoll | 2027 State SC RB, 2027
Last season’s historic breakthrough for the Timberwolves came in various areas. There was the consistent play of quarterback Landon Sharpe Landon Sharpe 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB White Knoll | 2025 State SC , clutch receiving from Austin Cunningham Austin Cunningham 6'0" | 175 lbs | ATH White Knoll | 2024 State SC and an intimidating defense led by seniors Jaiden Kimble Jaiden Kimble 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC , Demenico Banks Demenico Banks 5'10" | 225 lbs | LB White Knoll | 2024 State SC and Lincoln Ilunga Lincoln Ilunga 6'0" | 195 lbs | DL White Knoll | 2024 State SC and then-junior Devin Geronomi Devin Geronomi 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB White Knoll | 2025 State SC . 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.