Predicting Every Team’s 2025 MVP: Region I-3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you're looking at the 2025 season, Region I-3A is bound to draw some attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First off, the defending Upper State champion is there, and there will be a ton of interested in how BHP replaces a couple of graduates and what the Bears will look like. Crescent and Pendleton both played well last season, Walhalla had a couple of outstanding performers, and West-Oak surpassed expectations and has a bunch of experienced guys coming back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some players we think will have a hand in leading their teams this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Belton-Honea Path Bears</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin']</strong> ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How much could a sophomore mean to the 3A Upper State champions? Just look at Watson-Martin. Last season, he caught 45 balls for 899 yards and 13 touchdowns, made 32 tackles with two for loss and a sack, knocked down seven passes, recovered a fumble and forced another, had 211 return yards, and added two more scores on defense and special teams. Oh, and he recorded two carries and threw a pass. The Bears are stacked, but they'll clearly look to Watson-Martin to lead them in a bunch of different ways in his junior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19446071/66e75e0e96342c2aab530a7e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68407d2c60b51"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Crescent Tigers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans']</strong> QB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, Evans quietly went about taking a leadership role for the Tigers in just his sophomore season. He threw for more than 1,400 yards and rushed for more than 300, accounting for 18 total touchdowns while directing an offense that featured a workhorse back and a change of pace who were both seniors. Evans will shoulder even more of the load this season, but he's got a burner back at WR in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395080' first='Amiri' last='Acker']</strong>, and his 12 games of experience as a starter will be invaluable as he continues to improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19505473/673cf41d4d2691bd2dd34595' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68407d2c60b95"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Pendleton Bulldogs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bray Spear</strong> RB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a really interesting situation that could turn into a big year for Spear. He was the Bulldogs' leading rusher a year ago, churning out nearly 650 yards and eight touchdowns on an offense that showed a bunch of balance. Well, some of those components have changed, with a QB having transferred and the team's top WR graduating. Will all of the bulk of those losses fall on Spear? Well, no. But he WILL likely have increased opportunities, and his running style and performance show that he's more than up to the task.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17018449/672ee3d1b8639319350b651d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68407d2c60bca"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Walhalla Razorbacks</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592619' first='Kai' last='Nathan'] </strong>WR/DB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nathan was the Razorbacks second-leading tackler last season with 97 total stops, and he's tough to handle any way you look at it. He made 47 of those tackles solo, with 5.5 for loss. He also picked off a pass and knocked down 13 more, making him a true lockdown guy for Walhalla. That's on top of a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and occasional production on offense. With a couple of really good offensive pieces lost to graduation, Nathan could play an even bigger role there. What's certain is that he'll be near every play on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18902831/66d5580ba31f2aad24578d16' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68407d2c60bfc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>West-Oak Warriors</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Ballard</strong> LB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballard is an accomplished wrestler, and brings that mindset to his position at LB. A returning all-region player, he leads a ton of returners for the Warriors, who bring back experience on both sides of the ball. Ballard is what you want from a middle linebacker. He diagnoses plays quickly, he holds his ground, he flies to the ball, and he's a big hitter when he gets there. With experience in their favor, the Warriors have a chance to rely on their defense. And their defense will rely on Ballard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18657978/66f08de8e24b565754c87b7b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-684077528ce8f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->