2025 Preview: Midland Valley Mustangs

The 2025 high school football season will be here before you know it. Impress your family, friends and neighbors with how much you know by gaining access to everything Prep RedZone South Carolina produces by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">becoming a subscriber today</a>. We are currently running a 40% off special on all annual subscriptions to the site. Simply use the offer code Guerin40 at checkout to take advantage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] wasn't in high school yet two years ago when Midland Valley ran through region play undefeated. But he was last season, when another squad grabbed the torch and ran with it.    The 2028 receiver fixed his eyes firmly on that "other program."   "I'm most amped up to play that black and gold team. I think they're called 'North Augusta,'" Gleaton said Friday during the Prep RedZone Media Day at Westwood. “Our guys are better than their guys. When we line up, we'll be able to prove that we're better."   Gleaton (pictured) and his teammates will have plenty of time to think about all that, as the defending region champs and Class 4A Lower State finalist won't come to Graniteville until Halloween night. And while the Yellow Jackets are among the preseason leaders in the clubhouse to not only win the region but to compete for a state crown, Midland Valley has shown itself over recent months to be even more prepared to get back into the statewide conversation that it was a year ago.   In fact, circling what the Mustangs do inside the region is an apt place to state. All five of their wins a season ago came during that stretch of the season. This year, Midland Valley will play the back-half of the two-year contracts with Class 5A programs JL Mann, Blythewood and Lexington before cranking up Region IV-4A at home against Gray Collegiate.   We mention those four schools, because if Gleaton's state title talks prove even somewhat accurate, there indications will be there well in advance of October 31.   That's where youthful bravado will give way to the product second-year head coach Brent Dorn can put on the field. The players themselves have inspired plenty of confidence for Dorn, too.    "I think a lot of our guys have taken that next step this offseason and understand the game even more than," he said. "I feel very confident in what we're doing offensively and defensively, what we've got going on. [Player like] [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] and Aaron Adams, they all took that took that next step during spring ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1614255' first='Allen' last='Cummings'] has done a good job. Our defensive linemen are back healthy and doing a better job. Just across the board, our guys took that next step. Even in the weight room, everyone is feeding off everyone's energy and pushing each other."   Midland Valley's stars and its lesser known commodities all driving themselves will be huge, if for no other reason that there are weapons all over the offense and defense.   Collectively, they all hope they are hoisting some hardware.   And, in the process, retaking the region crown away from you known who.    "We're looking for that state title," Gleaton said. "We're looking to prove ourselves. We're ready to compete."   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] QB, 2027 - The 6-foot, 195-pound signal caller used last fall to get his feet under him at the position, throwing for 866 yards and seven touchdowns. While those figures won't raise too many eye brows, his completion percentage (62%) showed some excellent decision making, especially in the team's biggest games. Now, the team is ready to throw much more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1010338' first='Cameron' last='Gleaton'] WR, 2028 - Gleaton put himself on the map during the offseason when he posted a 22.54 mile-per-hour speed at the Carolinas Coaches Combines. After appearing in seven games (nine catches, 110 yards, two touchdowns) as a freshman while playing more of a traditional tight end role, he's going to be phased into a true hybrid and will be all over the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith'] RB, 2028 - Gleaton won't be the team's only rising sophomore expected to help lead this bunch. Smith was second on the team in rushing yards and carries during his introductory campaign, finishing with 85 carries for 592 yards and six scores. He's already got some excellent size and strength and will be a powerful inside rusher.   [player_tooltip player_id='1506464' first='Charles' last='Richardson'] DB, 2026 - Richardson had one tackle as a sophomore for Midland Valley. One. We mention that first because his junior year was every bit of a breakout season. He led the Mustangs with 129 of those bad boys, constantly putting his 5-foot-9, 145-pound frame into the thick of the action. He can support in the run game and cover across the middle or deep.   FILM REVIEW   Aaron Adams DL, 2026 - Adams has every chance to craft himself into a strong college recruit over the next six months. He's 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds and has transitioned very well to the high school defensive end position. He will occasionally drift inside more, but his length and immediate burst could be a boon against some of the passing attacks Midland Valley will see this year.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Andon Hawkins LB - Hawkins didn't run out of eligibility until after he piled up 464 career tackles over the course of four seasons with the Mustangs. That included three consecutive seasons in the triple digits.    Preston McNair RB - McNair used his one season as the starting tailback last fall to rush for 1,016 yards, average 9.2 yards per carry and finish with a team-high eight rushing touchdowns.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL    [player_tooltip player_id='1614255' first='Allen' last='Cummings'] 2027 and Kaleb Hester 2028, WRs - Gleaton is going to draw a ton of attention at some point this season, and the Mustangs have no choice but to get other receivers active right away. That's where Cummings and Hester will be asked to contribute consistently and effectively. Cummings caught 11 passes last fall, while Hester added one of his own. But they're both going to be targeted early and often to let Geter open up that part of the offense and make this a much more two-dimensional attack.    Pollard adds even more speed to a Midland Valley squad. He's was on the verge of cracking that 22 mile-per-hour mark at the combine, something that allows him to play much bigger than his 5-foot-8 height.    While he was initially a receiver during his first year at the high school level, he was given 10 games on defense last year, enough to prove he could not only handle the assignment, but start to excel.

The 2025 high school football season will be here before you know it. Impress your family, friends and neighbors with how much you know by gaining access to everything Prep RedZone South Carolina produces by becoming a subscriber today. We are currently running a 40% off special on all annual subscriptions to the site. Simply use the offer code Guerin40 at checkout to take advantage.