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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a couple teams moving into the 5A ranks, a couple more programs on the rise, and one of the powerhouses of the state's biggest regions, Region I-5A is loaded. Here's a look at the players who we think will lead their respective teams this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Easley Green Wave</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1025811' first='Jay' last='Stoker'] QB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stoker stepped in as a sophomore and played really well for the Green Wave last season. He had one huge game, nearly 400 yards against Wade Hampton, and racked up a 60 percent completion percentage on the year, accounting for more than 1,500 yards of total offense in just eight games. Stoker is an experienced QB with a new coach in a new system, and should have every opportunity to shine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17731672/65f78a7c66562e0a2ce3485a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6672254cf1eb2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <em>Greenville Red Raiders</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'] DB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bruton (pictured) is a turnover machine. He's nabbed 11 interceptions in the past two seasons, and he's an elite cover guy. Bruton has great instincts, he's fast, and he's able to shut down the opposition's top target on any given nights. Bruton's a defender who's able to influence a game simply by his presence - opposing offenses routinely decide they just shouldn't bother. Sometimes, that's wise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16056913/656795e6d2259e08c0aaee99' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6672254cf1eea"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Hillcrest Rams</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1046263' first='Caleb' last='Costantino'] LB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams were absolutely loaded with fantastic senior LBs last season, but Constantino more than held his own in his junior year. He had 46 tackles with three for loss, notched five hurries, picked off a pass, and knocked down three more. Defense will carry the weight early for Hillcrest as the offense adjusts to life without Thomas Stanley and Avery McFadden, and Constantino's solid, steady play will be a big part of what they do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15189794/655ff982b018a60d34fa9d91' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6672254cf1f0c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>J.L. Mann Patriots</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1249774' first='Nacyus' last='Morrison'] RB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrison is one of the most intriguing players in the state. He was an offensive leader on a fantastic J.L. Mann team last year, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards on a team that had a 3,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers, and another back (<strong>OJ Jones</strong>) who topped 600 yards. Jones is back, and with [player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin'] transferring in, the Patriots' offense will be explosive again. Morrison is athletic enough to line up in a bunch of spots for Mann, and could be on the cusp of a remarkable season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16162038/656df62b0dcaa605249645bb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6672254cf1f2c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Mauldin Mavericks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1254103' first='Trey' last='Moon'] OL, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mavericks struggled in 2023, but Moon was a bright spot. Offensive success usually followed right off his back, as he often won one-on-one matchups against some of the best DL in the region. His long arms and his strength make him a perfect fit at tackle, where he's equally comfortable in pass protection or blocking for the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18241162/65456a74664b9c13f05a1980' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66722efa5451b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='Kedarrion' last='Patterson'] RB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The nature of the Yellow Jackets' offense leads to a crowded backfield with carries split among a number of talented backs. Patterson certainly made a case for most explosive. He finished with more than 1,700 total yards and 29 total TDs, and he's a patient runner who's able to shed tacklers after contact. His speed makes him a home-run threat on every carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13907199/6507974c6899990b6445436c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66722efa54541"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Woodmont Wildcats</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='421471' first='Jordan' last='Sink'] QB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sink quietly put together a great performance at QB last season, and could be the key to a breakout year for the Wildcats. There's not a throw he can't make, as he proved by passing for more than 1,800 yards and 16 TDs in Woodmont's run-heavy offense. He sees the field well, and he's got a great grasp of exactly what he wants to do in the framework of a play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16087432/64f2df25a681440ef82e056e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66722efa5455e"} /-->