Predicting Every Team's MVP: Region I-A

Nowhere is versatility more important than Class A. If you can play, odds are your team is going to need you doing a bunch of different things on both sides of the ball. Some of these guys do that, others are a little bit more specialized, but they all do things that have them in line to contribute in a big way this season. Here's a look at potential team MVPs in Region I-A   Abbeville Panthers   [player_tooltip player_id='1700046' first='Darius' last='Riley'] RB, 2026   The Panthers long history of success, including last year's state championship, is built around a rugged running game. Riley fits right into that plan. He rushed for more than 800 yards and 19 TDs last season in a very crowded backfield, and with graduation losses, Riley will be in line for more production this year. He can absolutely become the engine that makes Abbeville go.    Calhoun Falls Blue Flashes   Preston-Thomas Smalls QB, 2028   The Blue Flashes are still going to struggle with numbers, but in their fifth year under coach Zak Theus, Calhoun Falls is miles from where they were. They've got 17 returning starters back, with a veteran offensive line and athletes all over the place. Chief among those is Smalls (pictured). When he was shifted to QB last season toward the end of the year, offensive production skyrocketed. He throws a pretty ball, and he just seems to have whatever "it" is that sets quarterbacks apart.   Dixie Hornets   [player_tooltip player_id='1267345' first='Brandon' last='Nance'] RB/CB, 2026   The first thing you might notice about Nance is his stature. You should look closer. He's absolutely electric, and he helped lead Dixie to an 8-3 record last year. Nance rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns on just 105 carries last season, and he added 22 tackles and six pass deflections on defense. He's a guy who can truly change a game in an instant.    McCormick Chiefs   Quantrell Hearst RB/DB, 2026   Hearst is another undersized burner who looks right at home in the offensive backfield and is more than capable of making you pay for a miss. He's quick and shifty, but he brings a decent amount of power as well, and is more than happy to show it off by running through you if he needs to. You're not going to arm-tackle him, so buckle up. He catches it well out of the backfield and brings a little pop when he's on defense, too.    Ware Shoals Hornets   [player_tooltip player_id='1267314' first='Elijah' last='Brown'] LB, 2026   Brown's part of the heart of a Ware Shoals defense that returns from last year's upstart squad. He's exactly what you're looking for in a linebacker. He assesses plays well on the fly, he gets to the ball in a hurry, and he's physical when he gets there. The defense will lead Ware Shoals, and Brown will be a leader for the defense.    Whitmire Wolverines   [player_tooltip player_id='1467816' first='Kingston' last='Green'] RB, 2028   The Wolverines are going to run the football. That much is plain to see. They didn't throw it 70 times last year, while running on 524 snaps. But WHO will run it for Whitmire? Well, Green is a solid bet. He had the most attempts of any player who wasn't a senior on last year's roster with 48, and picked up 228 yards, averaging nearly five yards per carry and scoring twice. Whitmire has a young core of RBs back, and Green is capable of leading the way.

Nowhere is versatility more important than Class A. If you can play, odds are your team is going to need you doing a bunch of different things on both sides of the ball. Some of these guys do that, others are a little bit more specialized, but they all do things that have them in line to contribute in a big way this season. Here's a look at potential team MVPs in Region I-A