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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is no secret that Summerville is the cream of the crop in not only Region VIII in the 5A classification, but the Green Wave are among a very small number of teams expected to compete for a state title in Class 5A, Division I.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That keeps the rest of Region VIII-5A knowing where its target is going to be this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each of the five not named Summerville will need huge performances from stars to shake up the division, and here are some likely front runners from all six squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ASHLEY RIDGE SWAMP FOXES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402509' first='Trevor' last='Kalisz'] </strong>QB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kalisz was a star under center as a junior last season and many big things are expected of him again this season. He threw for 3,560 yards and 33 touchdowns and added 208 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in the ground game. His 16 interceptions and six fumbles lost are things that will need to be addressed. If he is able to improve that ball security a little more, he could be well on his way to 4,000 passing yards in his senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14725735/672ae57cd12540ec9a47bc40' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6849131546084"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>FORT DORCHESTER PATRIOTS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639818' first='Jordan' last='Wright']</strong> DB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With last season's leading rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell']</strong> now at Ashley Ridge, Wright's influence in the defensive backfield becomes more important. He will hope to improve some impressive defensive numbers from last season, when he had had 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery. When going up against the powerhouse offenses like Summerville and Ashley Ridge, Wright's ability to force a turnover and give his team an extra possession will be much needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18992882/672a9ce6866dd4a803def2cf' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68499556e7155"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>JAMES ISLAND TROJANS</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler']</strong> QB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dantzler will be back under center for James Island this season after a junior campaign that saw him throw for 1,529 yards and 15 touchdowns, and best of all, winning a state championship in baseball. The ball security was good, as he threw just four interceptions, but the 51% completion percentage will need to be improved a bit. Just 39 total rushing yards can be expected to improve this season, meaning with a better completion percentage, Dantzler should be in for an all-around better year as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15247490/6732c175a3670f630b41599e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68491315460d2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SUMMERVILLE GREEN WAVE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams']</strong> RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What an incredibly hard decision it was to take Williams (pictured) over <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray']</strong> - our No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2027. But it was just too hard to ignore Williams' 2,007 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. In total, Williams edged out Murray 2,157 to 1,594 in all-purpose yards last season. Those two will be an unstoppable duo again this season and should have Summerville headed toward another deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18404426/67df3ce315404f8e9fb857e9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68499556e71d4"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WEST ASHLEY WILDCATS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn']</strong> DL, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Biegenzahn made a major impact on the defensive side of the ball and will look to do the same thing again this season. He finished his junior year with 68 tackles, 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups, with the pass breakups as an edge player may be the most impressive stat of all. He makes his presence felt all over the field, including on offense with a bit of time spent at tight end. The defensive line is his home, though, and he is expected to have a monster senior season for West Ashley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18000966/66d91dad4243115260d5ef16' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68499556e7222"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>STALL WARRIORS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryce Williams</strong> ATH, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams may be the best returning player on a Stall team that is looking to have a much-improved season in 2025. When watching his film, Williams can cover almost any route on the route tree, as well as being able to make open field tackles on both running backs and receivers. His speed allows him to make up when he gets beat over the top and he can make the plays and force incomplete passes. He should be well in line for a solid senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19730563/678206479649c9eb4b31e2b9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68499556e726d"} /-->