Predicting Every Team’s 2025 MVP: Region I-5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue our look at the players who have a chance to be their team's MVP this season, Region I-5A stands out for the sheer number of guys who can factor in. From young guys to seniors, guys up front on both sides of the ball to skill players, there's a huge variety of guys who can have an impact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the players we expect to lead their teams in Region I-5A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Easley Green Wave</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1327713' first='Matthew' last='Hillstock'] WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillstock (pictured) will be an important piece for the Green Wave on both sides of the ball. A pair of Easley QBs combined for 2,000 passing yards last season and really spread the ball around, but Hillstock was the common denominator. He caught 44 balls for 631 yards and five scores, and the next three closest guys were all seniors. Hillstock's speed and ability to evade defenders will be huge for the Green Wave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17931050/673137ff084dd514252fecbe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954befe6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Greenville Red Raiders</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592567' first='Bradley' last='Lucas'] LB/DE, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lucas was a tackle machine last season for the Red Raiders, with 116 stops including 95 solo. He added eight tackles for loss, a sack, three hurries, an interception, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal. The Red Raiders are adjusting to a new coach, a bunch of new faces, and a new QB on offense. But what's the old saying? Defense travels. Lucas is bringing an outstanding game with him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19758724/673f97366536928fd4acdbaf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf014"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Greenwood Eagles</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] QB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you've been around high school football in South Carolina for any length of time, you've got a picture in your head of what a Greenwood QB looks like. Yeah, [player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis'] is that guy. He's big, strong, and capable of taking over a game with either clutch throws or power runs, and happy to do both. Last year, Lewis put up more than 2,200 combined offensive yards, and he's got the potential to do even more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17925742/674f0d58bc459a4ba4270394' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf035"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Hillcrest Rams</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free']</strong> QB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Free was in an interesting situation last season, throwing for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns while splitting time with a senior. This time around, the job's his. The Rams will be breaking in a new crop of receivers, but a pair of talented backs return, and Free's got the arm and the pocket presence to take advantage of all the skill the Rams have to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18326451/67c0c84ac34a90306977ff3a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf054"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>JL Mann Patriots</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809307' first='Shaun' last='Carvalho']</strong> LB, 2027 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Patriots head coach Bryce Smiley is a defensive guy, so when he points out a defender as somebody to watch, you take notice. Carvalho is absolutely an eye-opener. He flies to the ball, and he's already made a huge impression, standing out in the Patriots' Spring Game and raising expectations even higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22554715/68123cdee7298492d60fd1b8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf072"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mauldin Mavericks</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans']</strong> DL, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans gives the Mavericks something they badly need up front: something to build around. He's strong with a quick first move and a good bull-rush, and he plays well beyond his age. He holds his ground and sheds blockers well, and has no problem getting upfield. Having Evans around for a couple more seasons will be crucial for what Mauldin is trying to build.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20172228/673f5754a403a896489940a3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf090"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>TL Hanna Yellow Jackets</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579733' first='Walker' last='Kelley']</strong> TE/LB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelley's the total package at both positions. He's big, fast, and strong, which is obvious. What you have to look a little closer for is how well he does the little things. Kelley seems to always be in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing. He's a great blocker. He finds the ball and helps set the edge on defense. He always seems to be around the play. Add great hands, great instincts, and a high motor, and it's easy to see why he's on this list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15170022/66f0b637e24b565754c8c977' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf0ad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Woodmont Wildcats</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adrian Estrich</strong> OL, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New Woodmont head coach and former Liberty University standout Malcolm Boyd knows a thing or two about high-level offensive line play, and was quick to single out Estrich as one of the Wildcats' standouts. While they're adjusting to Boyd's scheme, the Wildcats' play up front will be critical, and Estrich has a chance to lead the way. He can play both tackle and guard, and does both with a nasty streak and a physical nature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17907696/67ab7ae2f67078a576405b4f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6841f954bf0ca"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->