Metro 6A/7A Preview: Predicting Every Team's MVP

Conference preview season rolls on. We've already looked at a bunch of conferences in the higher classifications (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-central-piedmont-7a-8a/">Central Piedmont 7A/8A</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mip-greater-neuse-river-7a-conference/">Greater Neuse River 7A</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/quad-city-seven-8a-preview-predicting-every-teams-mvp/">Quad City Seven 8A</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/cap-8a-conference-preview/">CAP 8A</a>) and I looked at some intriguing conferences on the eastern part of the state (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-sandhills-5a-6a/">Eastern Sandhills 5A/6A</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-plains-2a-3a/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A</a>, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/mid-south-7a-8a-conference-preview/">Mid-South 7A/8A</a>, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-coastal-5a-6a-conference/">Coastal 5A/6A</a>). Matt Morrow has previewed several Charlotte area conferences like the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/meck-power-6-conference-preview/">Meck Power 6</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/greater-metro-athletic-6a-7a-conference-preview/">Greater Metro Athletic 6A/7A</a> Conferences. I also dipped into the area to cover the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-catawba-shores-2a-3a-4a/">Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A</a> charter school Conference.   After looking at an excellent <a href="http://prepredzone.com/2025/07/triangle-six-6a-7a-preview-predicting-every-teams-mvp/">Triangle Six 6A/7A Conference</a>, I'm looking at another great 6A/7A group in the Triad. Lets look at the Metro 6A/7A conference. Which players are the most important to their teams? Plus, I have other thoughts and a predicted order of finish.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Metro 6A/7A MVPs</h2>   The Triad is one of the areas of difficulty when it came to making conferences, but I actually think the NCHSAA did a great job creating the conferences there. In actuality, the state just combined teams from the old Metro 4A and Mid-State 3A conferences into one, but the teams are much closer together geographically now.   This conference contains the reigning 4A champions, 3A semifinalists, and several teams just trying to get back to .500, which adds some intriguing.   The talent here is undeniable, so which players could be their team's MVP? And how do we see the standings shaking out? Let's dive into the Metro 6A/7A Conference.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ben L. Smith Golden Eagles (6A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='866216' first='Eliyus' last='Wall'] (DB/WR)   Even as a freshman, Wall made his mark on a talented Smith defense that allowed just 23 points per game. He plays corner, but he was at his best in outside run support where he can lower the boom against unsuspecting ball carriers. There's a lot of uncertainty on the offense, but quarterback Darius Chukwuemeka has the dual-threat upside to cause defenses problems. Can he be consistent enough to elevate a struggling offense?   Others Considered: Darius Chukwuemeka (QB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dudley Panthers (6A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1607877' first='Vermont' last='Carmack'] (WR/TE)   Dudley's [player_tooltip player_id='1607877' first='Vermont' last='Carmack'] is a fast-riser on the recruiting trail, but it's more for what he's done in camp settings than his accolades on Friday nights. Dudley loses its top six receivers from a 13-1 squad that has hopes of making a state title in 2025, so Carmack needs to step up as the go-to guy. Defensively, the Panthers lose a huge piece on the defensive line, so the other veterans on the front seven will need to be at their best.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='284091' first='Jacoree' last='Smith'] (DL), [player_tooltip player_id='1393063' first='Robert' last='McCollum'] (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ragsdale Tigers (6A)</h3>   Ja'mere Sesley, RB   A typically run-heavy offense, the Tigers were forced to pass a bit more than they'd have liked last year due to the game-script and an occasional inability to get things rolling on the ground early. After losing a 1,200-yard rusher, Sesley is up. The rising senior averaged almost seven yards a carry last season, but never found the end zone, something he'd like to change in 2025. The defense loses a lot in the front seven, but [player_tooltip player_id='1047155' first='Kingston' last='Chandler'] is back and could take a massive step forward.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1047155' first='Kingston' last='Chandler'] (DL)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Western Guilford Hornets (6A)</h3>   Timothy Baker, RB   Few teams in the state had worse close-game luck than the Hornets last season, who lost half of their conference games by one score. If Baker, who had nearly 1,000 yards last season, can take that next step as a back, it will take Western Guilford to the next level, as the 4-7 record wasn't really indicative of its talent last season. The Hornets are experienced, losing just one of their top five skill players, and three of eight leading tacklers on the defensive side of the ball. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hornets take a big step forward simply based on development and some return to the mean on luck.   Simeon Libby (Edge)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grimsley Whirlies (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1607067' first='Andrew' last='Rogers'] (Edge)   While all eyes are on one of the country's top quarterbacks in [player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'], it was the pass rush that turned the tide against Weddington in the state semi-finals last year. Brandon is back, but the Whirlies lose a key edge rusher. In comes Rogers, who starred for Dudley last year. If he can continue that production on a new team, it's hard to find reasons why the Whirlies can't repeat as state champions   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='909357' first='Kaden' last='Catoe'] (WR)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Page Pirates (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616216' first='Zamari' last='Williamson'], QB   Despite a disappointing 3-8 record last season, there were plenty of encouraging signs for the Pirates, whose leading passer, rusher, and receiver last season were all freshmen. They'll return four of five leading tacklers and most of the secondary defensively. In 2025, Page will be both one of the youngest and most-experienced teams in the conference, with underclassmen who have already started all over the field.   The biggest opportunity for growth in terms of overall impact of course comes at the quarterback position, where Williamson flashed as a freshman. If he progresses from a promising 10-touchdown and seven-interception freshman season, the Pirates will be a tough out.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='424705' first='Zion' last='Malloy'] (WR/DB), [player_tooltip player_id='870039' first='Jesse' last='Poole'] (RB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Southwest Guilford Cowboys (7A)</h3>   Jalen Farrar, WR/DB   Things weren't exactly rosy for the Cowboys last year, who struggled to move the ball for most of the year. After losing one of their top receivers, they'll need someone to step up to take on the challenge of being the top guy. Farrar flashed on both sides of the ball last season and is one of the team's leading tacklers. He'll need to have a big year if the Cowboys want to raise their ceiling.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1110374' first='Jeramyah' last='Clarida'] (DB)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicted Order of Finish</h2>   1. Grimsley   2. Dudley   3. Page   4. Ragsdale   5. Ben L. Smith   6. Western Guilford   7. Southwest Guilford   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3>   At least this season, it's a two-horse race for the conference title, featuring two teams that could challenge for a state title in their respective classifications. Dudley and Grimsley should be the class of the Metro 6A/7A Conference, but I like the potential of a few of these other teams.   I'm especially interested to see if this stellar group of rising sophomores at Page can take a step forward in 2025. If so, the Pirates could be destined to return to their former glory of the mid 2010s. There's some individual talent everywhere in the conference, the question will be more about which teams can put together the most consistent, steady 10-game schedule.   Want to send this article to someone else? Promo code Helms30 will give them 30% off their first billing cycle.

Conference preview season rolls on. We've already looked at a bunch of conferences in the higher classifications (Central Piedmont 7A/8A, Greater Neuse River 7A, Quad City Seven 8A, and CAP 8A) and I looked at some intriguing conferences on the eastern part of the state (Eastern Sandhills 5A/6A, Eastern Plains 2A/3A, Mid-South 7A/8A, and Coastal 5A/6A). Matt Morrow has previewed several Charlotte area conferences like the Meck Power 6 and Greater Metro Athletic 6A/7A Conferences. I also dipped into the area to cover the Catawba Shores 2A/3A/4A charter school Conference.