Predicting Every Team's 2024 MVP: Region II-5A

One of the power regions in 5A when it was limited to five teams, the addition of a couple of Greenville County squads will make the talent pool even deeper in Region II. Here's a look at the guys who we think have a chance to lead the way for their squads this season.   Boiling Springs Bulldogs   [player_tooltip player_id='1012707' first='Lincoln' last='Huskey'] QB, 2025   Huskey is a bit of a different look at QB from most guys in the region. He's got plenty of arm talent and can make all the throws, but when he's on the move, he looks more like a fullback than a QB. He's a big, tough, strong runner who's deceptively quick when he takes off, but you have to be careful when you force him out of the pocket, because he throws well on the move, too. If the Bulldogs can put together a healthy year on offense, Huskey will be a problem.    Byrnes Rebels   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB, 2027   Is this a lot of pressure to put on a sophomore RB? Yep. Has Segarra indicated he can handle it? Without a doubt. He put the Rebels on his back on a couple of occasions as a freshman, rushing for more than 1,100 yards in his first varsity season. He scored 11 TDs and averaged nearly 100 yards per game, and did all that for a Byrnes team sometimes needed to let him carry the load and win games with defense. Under a new offensive scheme, Segarra could have an even bigger impact this season.    Dorman Cavaliers   [player_tooltip player_id='1359211' first='Keenan' last='Arcega-Whiteside'] WR, 2025   Arcega-Whiteside is a really interesting player to watch. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he's got the size and physical tools to play H-Back for the Cavaliers. However, his true calling is turning into a role as a field-stretcher. He's got good speed, way above average leaping ability, and the ability to run great routes. Arcega-Whiteside is a guy who can present a matchup problem just by lining up. When it's snapped, it gets worse for defenses.    Eastside Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='1025807' first='Eli' last='Foster'] RB, 2026   Eastside has already shown its identity: the Eagles are going to be a hard-nosed, run-first squad. Foster fits right in. Kalvin Banks was the go-to guy last season, but Foster was second on the team in rushing. He's not a carbon copy, but he runs hard and he's got a physical edge and great balance. He'll be key to the Eagles' success.    Gaffney Indians   [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] RB, 2026   Gaffney's set at receiver. They've got a new, highly-touted QB. They're absolutely loaded on defense, and along the OL. But McDowell is SPECIAL. He does a little of everything offensively for the Indians, and he's just as good catching the ball out of the backfield. He's fast enough to be a breakaway threat every time he touches it and from anywhere on the field, but he's tough enough to handle short-yardage wildcat duties when everybody in the stadium knows he's getting it. McDowell is a game-changer.    Riverside Warriors   [player_tooltip player_id='1025814' first='Jaiden' last='Taylor'] WR, 2026   Okay, Taylor's not going to be the biggest player on any field he's on. In fact, he's usually going to be the smallest. He's also going to be one of the fastest, one of the surest about what he's doing, and one of the best. Taylor, nicknamed "Speedy". caught 51 balls for 770 yards and 10 TDs last season, even as the Warriors used a two-platoon system at QB. He's poised for a breakout year.    Spartanburg Vikings   [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] LB, 2025   As many top-flight offensive threats as the region puts on the field, it's still a defense-first league. And Smith is as dynamic a defensive guy as you'll find anywhere. Our top-ranked linebacker in the 2025 class, Smith is fast, physical, and technically sound. He's also a violent and prolific tackler, and he virtually lived in opponents' backfields at times, with 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season. Oh, and he can cover, too. Spartanburg's defense was one of the best in the region last season, and Smith is the guy who makes it go.    Wade Hampton Generals   [player_tooltip player_id='1254204' first='Mehki' last='Hentz'] DB, 2025   Speaking of defense in the region, what do you need one guy to do? Linebacker? Check. Defensive back? Yep. Safety? Sure. Hentz does every bit of that for the Generals, and does it well. He was one of the team's defensive leaders a year ago, with 40 tackles, an interception, and five pass deflections. The Generals have a new coach, a new system, and a new outlook, and Hentz will be a big part of what they're trying to do.

One of the power regions in 5A when it was limited to five teams, the addition of a couple of Greenville County squads will make the talent pool even deeper in Region II. Here's a look at the guys who we think have a chance to lead the way for their squads this season.