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

Spring practice is in the books, graduation is over, and it's time to take a look at the 2025 football season.   With that, we're taking a look at some of the expectations surrounding teams - and individual players - as we inch ever closer to summer competition and practice just around the corner.   In Region II-5A, the story is much the same as it always is - the region is absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball. Gaffney looks like an early favorite, but the region is wide open and there are a bunch of new faces that will make it possible for nearly everyone to have a say in the final standings.   Here's a look at eight guys who have a shot to be their team's MVP this fall.   Boiling Springs Bulldogs   [player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'] DB, 2026   Favorite is a no-doubt, lockdown guy who takes away half the field. But he's much, much more than that for the Bulldogs. He's a defensive leader, making everybody on that side of the ball better. He's a nightmare as a return man. And while he's played a little bit on the offensive side of the ball, he might be in line to do even more this season.    Byrnes Rebels   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB, 2027   Segarra was sidelined by an injury for much of the season last year, and his absence was glaringly obvious. He is, put simply, the engine that makes Byrnes' offense go. When he has the ball, he's a step away from the end zone, no matter where that step is on the field. Last year showed just how much better the Rebels are with him than without him, and his return to full-go will pay immediate dividends.    Dorman Cavaliers   [player_tooltip player_id='340230' first='Meek' last='Slydell'] QB, 2026   Dorman's got a couple of highly-regarded guys on the defensive side of the ball, so why are we picking an offensive player as a potential MVP? Simply because for a couple of years now, the off-season question has centered around the triggerman for the Cavaliers' offense. Well, that question looks to be put to rest as Slydell has transferred in from North Carolin and grabbed the job. He's looked like the real deal in the Spring, and just having some stability as an answer to the "who's the guy" question will do wonders for the Cavaliers as they adjust to a new offense.    Eastside Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='1734598' first='Peyton' last='Schrader'] QB, 2026   Speaking of stability at QB, Schrader is coming off a year with more than 1,200 combined offensive yards, including being the Eagles' second-leading rusher. He brings true dual-threat ability to the position, and returns to an Eagles' squad that's deep with returning juniors and seniors at a bunch of the skill positions. Eastside has to find a way to put up points in a rugged defensive region to have success, and Schrader will play a key role in doing that.    Gaffney Indians   [player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] RB, 2026   The Indians are loaded. There's talent at every offensive skill position, along both lines, at linebacker, and in the defensive backfield. Any number of players from any of those positions can fill this slot. But McDowell is just SUCH a problem to match up against. He's a speedster. He can run over you. He catches the ball so well out of the backfield that he's basically often another WR. He does a lot for the Indians, he'll be called upon to use all of those talents, and he'll put them in a great position.    Riverside Warriors   [player_tooltip player_id='1025814' first='Jaiden' last='Taylor'] WR, 2026   Will Taylor often be the smallest player on any field on which he's playing? Yes. Will he often also be among the most talented? Also yes. As the Warriors embark on a new era without the multi-talented [player_tooltip player_id='1012616' first='Mikkel' last='Skinner'] to count on, they'll need to find a way to replace his talents, particularly in the passing game. Taylor's the guy. He's a burner, a matchup problem, and a guy you've got to account for on every play.    Spartanburg Vikings   [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] RB, 2027   Lynch (pictured) is making his mark on the RB class of 2027 as a guy who can do it all. He'll run over, around, or through you, and it doesn't often seem like it matters to him a whole lot which one he does. Spartanburg's offense does a great job of taking what the opposing defense gives, and Lynch is the picture of that. Need him to get you some crucial yards? Done. Need a big catch out of the backfield? No problem. Need an extra blocker? Cool with that, too. And the scary thing is, he's getting better every time out.    Wade Hampton Generals   [player_tooltip player_id='1172362' first='Angel' last='Gomez'] LB, 2027   Gomez is an absolute animal at LB for the Generals. He's a standout on a unit that had some growing pains last season, and he's a clear leader for Wade Hampton. He flies to the ball, is violent when he gets there, and puts his teammates in a good position. He'll be absolutely crucial to the Generals on the defensive side of the ball, and to their success overall.

Spring practice is in the books, graduation is over, and it's time to take a look at the 2025 football season.