Predicting Every Team’s 2025 MVPs: Region III-A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region III-A has seen three teams – Blackville-Hilda, Calhoun County, and Hunter-Kinard-Tyler – amass recent success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The trio of schools produced four of the region's five S.C. Football Coaches Association All-State Class A selections. Of that group, two-way athlete <strong>Jaquan Holman</strong> of Blackville-Hilda is now at the University of South Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, linemen <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1003565' first='Jayden' last='Dash']</strong> of the Hawks is back for another season. The lone All-State player outside of that group who's also returning is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816739' first='Rayfield' last='Bell']</strong> of Wagener-Salley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both players are among the six SC Prep Redzone sees as potential Team MVPs for the upcoming season in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Blackville-Hilda Hawks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1003565' first='Jayden' last='Dash']</strong> OL, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A South Carolina Football Coaches Association's All-State Class A selection last season. He's already received an invitation to the Hawaii Tiki Bowl in Honolulu. He's also grown three inches after being one of the biggest Hawk linemen on the roster. On a team that graduated several senior starters, Dash's leadership will be key in keeping Blackville-Hilda in contention for the region title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17976110/6759c421765bfa04957dc82c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68474779199e0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Calhoun County Saints</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223929' first='Markest' last='Davenport']</strong> OL, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fifth-rated offensive lineman (pictured) in the SC Prep Redzone Class of 2027. An All-State selection as a freshman, he graded 90 percent at left tackle with 18 pancake blocks last season. A powerhouse upfront, Davenport also sees action at defensive tackle. At 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds, he just visited Clemson and has future trips planned for South Carolina and Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19812189/6738db6e0b69e5ada7cea404' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6847477919a1e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Trojans</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darion Stroman </strong>RB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9, 167-pound rising senior was a S.C. Football Coaches Association All-State Class A selection. Paired with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664511' first='Trenton' last='Summers'</strong>], he gives the Trojans arguably the most physical and explosive backfield in the region. He's also making plays with his hands both as a receiver out of the backfield and at outside linebacker, forcing turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17996027/67606c3fcf70e3fc302fdb16' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6847477919a50"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ridge Spring-Monetta Trojans</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway']</strong> ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans' offense revolved around the 5-foot-10, 155-pound rising junior. He accounted for 1,153 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns and 1,010 passing yards and five touchdowns. Holloway even had a receiving touchdown and accounted for 33 tackles and two interceptions on defense. His play guided RS-M to its first winning season in four years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19886651/673cbdc8f75fefe28ca9c7e0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6847477919a7e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Wagener-Salley War Eagles</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816739' first='Rayfield' last='Bell']</strong> DL, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A major bright spot for the War Eagles' last season. An All-State Class A selection, the 6-foot, 230-pound rising senior is an aggressive pass rusher at the end spot. He also gives no ground when switched to guard on offense. If Wagener-Salley can improve from a record standpoint, college interest could further increase for Bell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17947376/67259ac3375c4e87172ca8d2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6847477919aa8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Williston-Elko Blue Devils</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kadin Wright </strong>LB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-8, 185-pound rising senior is a tackling machine for the Blue Devils. He's averaged over 100 tackles the past three seasons at middle linebacker. A leader on defense, he's described by head coach Kenny Lipsey as a "smart" player who's always in the middle of the action. On film, he's often one of the first defenders to bring down the ball carrier. After a 4-win improvement following a winless 2023 season, the Blue Devils seek their first winning campaign since 2017. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17975954/6797f3bdb911c6228212d0b0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68478da31fd6a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->