Predicting Every Team's MVP: Coastal 5A/6A Conference

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 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 the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-plains-2a-3a/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A Conference</a>. I'm staying on the eastern side of the state to look at an interesting, and potentially excellent conference. Here, I'm predicting the team MVP for every team in the Coastal 5A/6A conference.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Every Team's Most Valuable Player</h2>   Conference realignment affected different teams in different ways and all things considered, there's not a ton new about this new conference. Havelock and Northside come over to join Croatan, Dixon, Richlands, Swansboro, and West Carteret, which were all in the same conference together last season. Swansboro is the only 6A team here, while Havelock is likely the true favorite in the conference as a strong contender to win the 5A state championship.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Croatan Cougars (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1705645' first='Andrew' last='Boucher'], RB/CB   A strong two-way player, Boucher led the Cougars in rushing and receiving yards last season and picked off two passes when playing on defense. He's not the biggest guy, but he does well to avoid contact and keeps his legs moving when hit. He's a key cog in both the offensive and defensive schemes for Croatan and his production should only continue to go up as an upperclassman.   Others Considered: Cutter Bryant (OL/DL), Carter Abalos (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dixon Bulldogs (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1604514' first='JJ' last='Gulat'], RB   Dixon's offense is relatively simple: Give the ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1604514' first='JJ' last='Gulat'] and let him run. In fact, the Bulldogs often ran simple power concepts out of the Wildcat with the veteran Gulat, who amassed over 1,750 yards last season. He led the team in passing as well, throwing for over 200 yards. He's the undisputed key to the offense and a guy who is critical to the team's success.   Others Considered: Caleb Tipton (DB), Keoni Terukina (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Havelock Rams (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='612252' first='Christopher' last='Bispham'], Edge/DL   The Rams could be vulnerable this year after losing a ton of production on offense and some pretty talented defenders as well. The best way to help a young offensive unit is to play solid defense, and Bispham is a disruptor who can wreck drives. Last season, he had 39 tackles for loss and 14 sacks while playing both inside and outside, and those drill-killers will be key for a young team.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1665917' first='Jayden' last='Howard'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1705638' first='Zyking' last='Patillo'] (DB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Northside - Jacksonville Monarchs (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1687459' first='Reginald' last='Gray'], QB/Ath./WR   It remains to be seen how Gray will be used as a sophomore, but one thing is certain: he's vital to Northside's success. Last season, he finished first on the team in receiving touchdowns, first in rushing touchdowns, and also threw for two touchdowns. He plays everywhere on the field and even as a freshman, was a guy defenses had to account for. Whether he plays receiver, running back, or quarterback, he's going to have a huge impact, and if he can take a step forward, so too should the Monarchs.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1607071' first='Matthew' last='Smoot'] (DB), [player_tooltip player_id='534079' first='Rahlai' last='Anderson'] (RB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Richlands Wildcats (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1705622' first='Tyler' last='Clouatre'], WR   Richlands loses three of its four leading receivers from a year ago, so Clouatre needs to be even better. Last season, he was one of the elite deep threats in the state, averaging over 35 yards a catch. This year, he'll probably need to be more of a safety blanket and if the Wildcats can get the ball in his hands more than 1.7 times a game, he'll have a bigger capacity to take over and should help his younger quarterbacks.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1705626' first='Noah' last='Leblanc'] (RB), Tanner Brinson (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Carteret Patriots (5A)</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne'], QB   It's not cheating to pick the quarterback when the quarterback is so vital to the team's success. After assuming the starting job at the beginning of last season, Payne threw for nearly 2,800 yards and 32 touchdowns. The issue here is that the Elon commit loses three of his top four targets from a season ago. Expect him to use his legs more and perhaps break out as a dual threat. Expect him to rely heavily on tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1581460' first='Jay' last='Murray'] this season as the only receiving threat with over 10 catches last year to return.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1702456' first='Joshua' last='Bauman'] (RB), [player_tooltip player_id='1581460' first='Jay' last='Murray'] (TE/Edge)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Swansboro Pirates</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='894199' first='Jordan' last='Coleman'], WR/DB   Coleman was key for the Pirates last season, racking up over half of their offensive yardage for the season. He's shifty and able to get open and help his quarterback, no matter who is behind center. Defensively, he's also the top returning tackler and was productive on the ball as well, forcing and recovering a fumble and picking off a pass. Not much went right for a young Swansboro team last season, but Coleman was a bright spot and should be even better as a junior.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1561350' first='Connor' last='Wagers'] (Edge/LB), <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/keyondre-wright-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keyon'Dre Wright</a> (DB)

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.