Predicting Every Team’s MVP: Central Piedmont 7A/8A

We're in the middle of conference preview season and realignment has made these previews more fun and more challenging. In a new format this year, I'm looking at which players will be key top their teams' success. This isn't necessarily the best player on the team (Though it could be) but rather the key cog that makes the whole thing go.   We've looked at some other conferences in higher classifications (<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mip-greater-neuse-river-7a-conference/">Greater Neuse River 7A</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-plains-2a-3a/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-coastal-5a-6a-conference/">Coastal 5A/6A</a>), but I haven't yet touched the Piedmont area. Here, I'm predicting the MVP for every team in the Central Piedmont 7A/8A Conference.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Central Piedmont 7A/8A Team MVPs</h2>   In the grand scheme of things, the Central Piedmont 7A/8A Conference is one of the more stable conferences in this round of realignment. Five of the six teams shared a conference last year with Mount Tabor and Glenn dropping to the 6A level and Davie County moving to the North Piedmont Conference. Only Northwest Guilford is new to this group, joining West Forsyth as the two 8A teams in this combined-class conference.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East Forsyth Eagles (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1707495' first='Cannen' last='Rottweiler'], RB   I don't know what to make of this East Forsyth team. A team that typically reloads year over year, this will be one of the staff's toughest tests. After losing one of the state's top 2025 quarterbacks and multiple elite receivers, the Eagles will need to replace a ton of proven production with several players who have upside, but are relatively unknown at the varsity level. While [player_tooltip player_id='1070820' first='Jaire' last='Richburg'] is the biggest recruit, I think Rottweiler is the key to the offense's potential success. If he can continue to be as steady as he was last season, it will take pressure off the passing game.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1070820' first='Jaire' last='Richburg'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='1671991' first='Omaryon' last='Hayes'] (IDL), [player_tooltip player_id='1080916' first='Jabian' last='Shabazz']   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Parkland Mustangs (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1707501' first='Anthony' last='Elder'], Edge   Elder was one of several talented edge rushers on a strong defensive line last year. This year, he's the main guy off the edge and he'll need to scale his production so the defense can keep humming. He's undersized, but excels at firing off the ball and getting to the quarterback. He's a leader on a team that is young and largely inexperienced.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1707505' first='Jason' last='Day Jr.'] (WR), Vernon Champion (RB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">RJ Reynolds Demons (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1707515' first='DeAndre' last='Charles'], DB/WR   An impressive two-way player, Charles' biggest contribution was on the defensive side of the ball last year, with a team-leading six interceptions as a junior. I'm interested to see if he can make a bigger impact on offense this season after 12 catches last year. RJ Reynolds loses multiple key offensive playmakers, so the opportunities could be there for Charles.   Others Considered: Ziare Bennett (RB), Jaylen Wheeler (DL)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northwest Guilford Vikings (7A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1707841' first='Anders' last='Mitchell'], QB   Quarterback is always an important position for a team, but Mitchell may be feeling the pressure a bit more than most. There's opportunity here, as Mitchell was good last year, but didn't use his athleticism to the fullest extent. He has talent around him and Northwest Guilford is a good team when he plays well. He threw for just 146 yards in Northwest Guilford's three losses last season, but was fantastic the rest of the season, throwing for 15 touchdowns and just six interceptions on over 60% completion. If he can go from that good category to "game-breaker" Northwest Guilford will challenge for a conference title.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1130290' first='Rob' last='Lange'] (Edge), [player_tooltip player_id='1395227' first='Rakem' last='Hammock'] (WR)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reagan Raiders (8A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616114' first='John' last='Evans Jr.'], RB   The rising sophomore running back was the best player on the field for his offense last season, but didn't have an extraordinary amount of volume. He's quick, and has the ability to function both as a home run hitter and a chain-mover, but occasionally got lost in the game script against better teams. This year, don't be surprised if he surpasses 1,000 yards and gets more consistent run as a true workhorse back.   Others Considered: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/leo-housel-rajacich/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='1644205' first='Leo' last='Housel-Rajacich']</a> (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1617737' first='King' last='Kalama'] (Edge)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Forsyth Titans</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1707863' first='CJ' last='Blevins'], RB   West Forsyth's 8-4 record is misleading, as losses three of the four losses were to Weddington and crosstown rival East Forsyth, whom they nearly beat in the regular season. But whereas East is ravaged by graduation, West Forsyth has one of the most experienced and proven rosters in the state this season. The Titans have weapons all around, and if I knew for certain who the quarterback starter will be (perhaps transfer [player_tooltip player_id='267064' first='Haines' last='Robitzer']) he might go here. As is stands, expect Blevins to get an even bigger workload in 2025.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='267064' first='Haines' last='Robitzer'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='953021' first='PJ' last='Dean'] (DL)   Want to send this article to someone else? Promo code Helms30 will give them 30% off their first billing cycle.

We're in the middle of conference preview season and realignment has made these previews more fun and more challenging. In a new format this year, I'm looking at which players will be key top their teams' success. This isn't necessarily the best player on the team (Though it could be) but rather the key cog that makes the whole thing go.