Predicting Every Team's 2025 MVP: Region V-5A

The first season of the newly realigned Region V-5A saw competitive play in the top half of the standings.   Such competition produced five teams which advanced past the first round. It also had six All-State players, three from region champion Sumter in running back Jordan Peeples, offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1253946' first='Jerius' last='Williams'] and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison']. There was also defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders'] of Blythewood, who was selected to the Shrine Bowl, and [player_tooltip player_id='1157942' first='Cleve' last='Tellery'] of Ridge View and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='790770' first='Christian' last='Smith'] of Lugoff-Elgin.   With four teams sporting new head coaches, their prospective Most Valuable Players could prove even more vital towards success this season.   Here are seven names who have a chance to carry the mantle for their respective teams.   BLYTHEWOOD BENGALS   [player_tooltip player_id='1418100' first='Johnny' last='Collins'] QB, 2026   The rising senior has shown his throwing ability in two sports. A baseball commitment to the College of Charleston and the S.C. Baseball Coaches Association's Class 5A Pitcher of the Year, Collins took to the quarterback mantle with equal confidence. His first season as a starter saw him throw for 2,371 yards and 28 touchdowns. Wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='473013' first='Carter' last='Coleman'] was a beneficiary of nearly half of Collins' touchdowns. An improved second half could see the Bengals in contention with Collins leading the way.    LUGOFF-ELGIN DEMONS   Fernando Simeul LB, 2027   The 5-foot-10, 190-pound rising senior was a tackling machine for the Demons. He tripled his total from 33 to 99 tackles last season to go with two sacks and nine quarterback hurries. Simeul sees an opening in an offense and attacks it with ferocity. With the Demons playing for a third head coach in three years, having an established leader to help with the latest transition will be important.    RIDGE VIEW BLAZERS   [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] QB, 2027   With fast, athletic wide receivers throughout the lineup, the Blazers' offense is a perfect fit for the rising junior. With a third year of varsity experience, Howard is the perfect leader. His offensive knowledge and ability to make accurate passes gives Ridge View an opportunity to win every week. Howard has displayed his talents at past Carolinas Coaches Clinic camps. He's also coming off a sophomore year in which he threw for 2,774 yards, 25 touchdowns and completed 60 percent of his passes. As Howard continues to grow, the lethal combination of physical and mental talent will keep eyes on View County.    SUMTER GAMECOCKS   [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] QB, 2027   The Region V-5A Player of the Year merely scratched the surface of his potential. As a first-year starter as a sophomore, Richardson often used his legs to produce big plays for the Gamecocks. He still provided a duel threat offensively with 1,209 passing yards and 15 touchdowns to go with 984 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. With the 1,000-plus yard backfield of Peeples and [player_tooltip player_id='1012696' first='Kameron' last='Fortune'] gone, look for Richardson to carry an even bigger load of the offense.    SPRING VALLEY VIKINGS   Brent Mills LB, 2026   Seeing a motivated player on a team riding a 24-game losing streak has to encourage new head coach Norman Washington. The 6-foot, 190- pound rising senior showed high enthusiasm on both sides of the football. He can catch the football and lead block out of the backfield and make stops from middle linebacker. If a turnaround is to begin in Columbia, it will need to be sparked by a player who has not lost his zeal for the game.    WEST FLORENCE KNIGHTS   [player_tooltip player_id='1025773' first='Romello' last='Patterson'] LB, 2026   Whether at outside linebacker or defensive end, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound rising senior (pictured) was a disrupter. He would continually fight off blockers to make a stop. His nose for the football forced quarterbacks to look cautiously in his direction. Under new head coach Chad Wilkes, Patterson is the type of player who will get utilized in various defensive packages.    WESTWOOD REDHAWKS   [player_tooltip player_id='1734497' first='Darryl' last='Jones'] DL, 2026   It did not take long for new head coach Stephen Burris to find his defensive star. The 6-foot, 200-pound rising senior had 53 tackles and three sacks last season. An All-Region player, he provided consistent pressure upfront from the end position. His ability to command double-teams opened up opportunities for teammates. He also displays speed which allows him to drop back in coverage and eventually chase down the quarterback. How he performs will determine the team's success, according to Burriss.

The first season of the newly realigned Region V-5A saw competitive play in the top half of the standings.