Predicting Every Team's 2025 MVP: Region II-1A

As the 2025 season inches closer, our MVP series for every team in the state continues. Region II-1A has some dynamic playmakers where a couple of them had great sophomore seasons and will be looking to build on them heading into their junior seasons. And there is one quarterback in the Pee Dee that we expect to turn heads again heading into his final year on the prep gridiron.    Here are our picks for team MVPs in Region II-1A:   CA JOHNSON HORNETS   Terrell Golson RB, 2027   Golson was the go-to target for the Hornets in 2024, and we expect that trend to continue in 2024. He has great size at the running back position. With the offense that the Hornets run, they can move him around which makes him a matchup problem for opposing defensive backs and he can sneak out of the backfield and get wide open for quick yards. He has a great burst of speed once he's in the open field to elude defenders.    GREAT FALLS RED DEVILS   Zaquan Talford WR, 2027   Talford returns for his junior season as the leader in the receiver room for the Red Devils. He is a downfield, vertical threat who can make plays with the ball in his hands. He can also keep plays alive by extending his routes and finding a way to get open. He's also a difference maker on special teams in the kickoff return game.    LAMAR SILVER FOXES   [player_tooltip player_id='1165108' first='Zori' last='Pierce'] QB, 2026   Pierce (pictured above) is back after a 2024 campaign where he threw for 1719 yards, 28 passing touchdowns while rushing for 438 yards and six touchdowns. He is a dynamic dual threat who has great pocket presence to be able to stand in and make accurate throws to his receivers. It is even more fun to watch when the play breaks down or on rollouts. But if you get too focused on the pass game, he can beat you in the run game if he finds a seam on the designed quarterback runs.    LEE CENTRAL STALLIONS   Xavier Reed RB, 2027   Reed is a perfect fit for what the Stallions want to do offensively in their double wing, option attack. He can take the ball on a jet sweep and run defenders over while maintaining a good head of steam to make good north and south progress. We expect him to be one of the feature backs for the Stallions in 2025.    LEWISVILLE LIONS   [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] DB, 2026   Strong returns for his senior year and he will be one of the leaders for the Lions defensively. He is a hard hitting, downhill safety that can come up in run support and make a quick tackle on the ball carrier. He diagnoses plays well and is also a difference maker on kickoff coverage, as he stops many returns before the guy can get going and build momentum.    MCBEE PANTHERS   Jakari Holloman RB/DB, 2026   Holloman brings a level of physicality that is fun to watch. When he is at running back on offense, he is tough to bring down and runs with a good combination of speed and power to be able to keep his momentum going while also running someone over. On defense, he can hit the hole and make an immediate tackle on the ball carrier. We expect a huge senior season from him.

As the 2025 season inches closer, our MVP series for every team in the state continues. Region II-1A has some dynamic playmakers where a couple of them had great sophomore seasons and will be looking to build on them heading into their junior seasons. And there is one quarterback in the Pee Dee that we expect to turn heads again heading into his final year on the prep gridiron.