Predicting Every Team's MVP: Greater Neuse River 7A Conference

Realignment should shake up a lot of things at the high school level in North Carolina. While some rivalries will carry over, the move from four classifications to eight will expand the playoffs and make conference play even more vital.   We've looked at different ways of doing conference previews here at Prep Redzone and we're trying another one here. In this piece, I'm assigning a potential Most Valuable Player for each of the seven teams in the Greater Neuse River 7A Conference. That isn't necessarily the best player, but the one most important to his team's success. Which players will play key roles for their teams this season?   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Every Team's Most Valuable Player</h2>   A note: This isn't necessarily the team's highest-ranked or best player. I think of it more as, "if this player plays well, so will the team." There's room here to write about the top, top players, but I'd rather focus on the guys who could be key to their team's success.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton Comets</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='561878' first='Terris' last='Hobbs'], Ath (WR/RB)   Last year Scott Chadwick surprised everyone by unleashing the triple option for the first time in his long coaching career. The cat's out of the bag and with [player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls'] again behind center, you can count on the Comets being multiple on offense. The key guy, in my opinion, is the versatile Hobbs. He's going to operate a bunch out of the slot as a gadget guy, pitch man, and jet sweep fiend. Sure, he'll line up in the backfield and take some traditional handouts, but his biggest impact will be felt as a guy who can manipulate the defense with motion and varying alignments, making people miss as a running back and screen guy.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='366314' first='AK' last='Crumel'] (Safety), [player_tooltip player_id='1309271' first='River' last='Fiore'] (TE), [player_tooltip player_id='1165755' first='Keshawn' last='Stancil'] (DL)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cleveland Rams</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert'], QB   The quarterback position is vital to any team's success, but nowhere in the state more than Cleveland. The Rams are a QB factory and have traditionally moved from four-year starter to four-year starter. That won't be the case this year, as the Rams are likely to roll with junior [player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert']. He throws an excellent ball and can run the offense in rhythm. He has some weapons, guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1600153' first='DeAngelo' last='Ruffin'] who have experience, but it's all going to run through the quarterback position.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1600424' first='Jaylen' last='King'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1076281' first='Cameron' last='Melvin'] (DL/Edge)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fuquay-Varina Bengals</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1421052' first='Matthew' last='Ziglar'], RB   Ziglar was a bright spot for the Bengals as a freshman, putting together an excellent--and efficient--first-year campaign. He's back as a focal point of the offense and that's great news to a team that loses some talent on offense. He should have more volume as a sophomore, which should help him be closer to the state leaders as a rusher and receiver, because he's explosive and had great numbers in limited reps last year. If he can get going, Fuquay-Varina can control the clock and put itself in favorable situations.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1129856' first='Jackson' last='Bordelon'] (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garner Trojans</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle'], DB   Randle is the type of defensive playmaker who can turn a game around almost single-handedly. A strong-safety-linebacker hybrid, he's tough to gameplan against because he can be in so many places and impact the game in so many ways. A big interception or two could help take the Trojans to the next level and help a veteran team earn an extra win or two.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='369167' first='Eric' last='Chisley'] (WR/Ath.), [player_tooltip player_id='1702833' first='Tyquan' last='Richardson'] (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Smithfield-Selma Spartans</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1702937' first='Jamie' last='Groves'], RB/DB   Groves was Smithfield-Selma's leading rusher and second-leading tackler last season, racking up over 300 yards on just 55 carries and finishing the year with 52 tackles as a corner. He's a leader on both sides of the ball and will be a key cog in the Spartan offense. He should get more touches this season, which should help both boost his own numbers and help his team.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1655115' first='Johnavon' last='Cox'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Davion' last='Hurst'] (RB/WR)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Garner Titans</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='651090' first='Devin' last='Shoulars'], QB   South Garner is loaded with talent, but struggled to find an offensive identity last year. That could change if Shoulars lives up to the hype. The rising junior doesn't have much experience but is an electric playmaker at the quarterback position. His abilities to both break off big plays as a runner and push the ball down the field gives this offense an entirely new danger that it lacked last season. He has some playmakers, like [player_tooltip player_id='1607095' first='Randolph' last='Ross'], at receiver and should have the protection as well.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1156972' first='Ebenezer' last='Ewetade'] (Edge), [player_tooltip player_id='1580801' first='Joseph' last='Bailey'] (Safety)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman'], RB/Ath.   There are several options here, partially because Southeast Raleigh is so balanced offensively, but Freeman gets the nod. He's had a huge offseason, racking up offer after offer. He's a big play waiting to happen, but only had 91 touches last season. When the Bulldogs got off script and played from behind, he didn't make a huge impact. This year, I think there will be a renewed focus on getting him the ball early and often, where he can help Southeast Raleigh control the clock and play from ahead.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1251476' first='James' last='Adams'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1318732' first='Adam' last='Saunders'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='648670' first='Keysaun' last='Eleazer']

Realignment should shake up a lot of things at the high school level in North Carolina. While some rivalries will carry over, the move from four classifications to eight will expand the playoffs and make conference play even more vital.