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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With spring practice and graduation officially in the books, the 2025 season is just over two months away in the Palmetto State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region III-5A not only has the defending, undefeated state champion Northwestern looking to defend its title, but it will be loaded with veteran pieces, some who are receiving major college interest. Simply put, the competition across the board will be exciting to watch when the season kicks off on August 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are our picks for team MVPs in region III-5A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>CATAWBA RIDGE COPPERHEADS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson']</strong>, DB 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Copperheads will be led on defense by Dobson, who garners numerous offers from major Power Four programs, including Texas A&amp;M, Penn State, Notre Dame and Tennessee. He has great athleticism for his position and can get into the hip pocket of receivers. He can anticipate routes well and you can tell that he's a student of the game. He can time his jump perfectly to make plays on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9823173/6728dde36b236b5c50a44843' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10bb7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>CLOVER BLUE EAGLES</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603816' first='Grady' last='Stone']</strong>, RB 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone saw significant playing time in 2024 behind his older brother, Landon, who is now graduated. He took advantage of his opportunities last year, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns and we expect him to be a workhorse for the Blue Eagles in 2025. Once he hits the hole and hits that second gear, it is likely a house call. He'll have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] </strong>accompanying him on offense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20190114/67a4f0b5d3335cf49c0c72e5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10be6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>FORT MILL YELLOW JACKETS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267211' first='Gray' last='Patterson']</strong>, LB 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson is an attacking, downhill linebacker who opponents will have to be aware of in 2025. His ability to cover ground quickly in space and make tackles is fun to watch. He keeps his eye in the right place and can react quickly when the ball is in the air as he made several acrobatic interceptions when we turned on his film from 2024. He's not afraid to put his hand in the dirt and make plays in short yardage situations as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17734140/673391c4a70f69d818f529f5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10c08"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>INDIAN LAND WARRIORS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</strong>, ATH 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Patterson heads into his junior season, he has the eyes of the country on him as he has offers from Georgia, Indiana, Michigan State, Syracuse, South Carolina and Tenneseee to name a few. He is dynamic with the ball in his hands and has great speed once he gets into the open field. Once he catches it, he gets up field quickly to gain yardage. At cornerback, he can anticipate what the receiver will do because of the experience on that side of the ball. He can pluck the ball out of the air or come up and make tackles quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18930380/66cca292fc017c5408c47467' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10c29"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NATION FORD FALCONS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734443' first='Jayden' last='Scott'], </strong>WR 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scott is one of the more shifty and speedy receivers in this region, and with the ball in his hands, he can do some damage. He can catch a quick bubble screen and make it a 10 to 15 yard completion. He has world class speed, and he can even line up in the backfield and throw a double pass, like we saw on his film during the 2024 season. We saw him during <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/on-campus-nation-ford-falcons/">spring practice back in May</a>, and with the supporting cast he has around him, he could have a special senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17765289/676356afbf0da977e27f8c9a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10c48"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>NORTHWESTERN TROJANS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance']</strong>, WR 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vance (pictured above) is back for his senior season for the Trojans, and he returns as their leading pass catcher with 1126 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. He is a precise route runner from his slot position and knows how to find the green grass. While Northwestern will need to replace quarterback Finley Polk, he will be a leader for a Trojan offense that should put up points again in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18134598/6704835fd52f734be99f055a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10c67"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>ROCK HILL BEARCATS</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592521' first='Kason' last='Canupp']</strong>, QB 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canupp returns for his senior season under new head coach Leon Boulware. The first thing that comes to mind when watching his film is how quick he is on the run. He can take a read option keeper and get up field for yards quickly. His ability to escape pressure a few times was great to see. He has good pocket presence to find the open receiver and hit them for a big completion. Boulware was high on <strong>Kameron Wilson, </strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/on-campus-york-county-spring-showcase/">when we visited spring practice back in May</a> and so it will be interesting to see how the chemistry between the two develops in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18248492/6744c4a278502dc5c9e9c360' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-683cf37e10c87"} /-->