Predicting Every Team’s MVP: Eastern Plains 2A/3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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>) so now I'm looking at an intriguing small-school conference in the eastern part of the state. Here, I'm predicting the MVP for every team in the Eastern Plains 2A/3A Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Every Team's Most Valuable Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only 2A team in the combined 2A/3A Eastern Plains Conference is also the favorite, as reigning state champion Tarboro returns a ton of production. But, Ayden-Grifton, Farmville Central, Kinston, and Greene Central all had winning seasons last year and this conference looks excellent on paper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tarboro Vikings (2A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1408773' first='Tyler' last='Powell']</strong>, Edge/QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I went back and forth between Powell and McDowell-Moore here as the pick, so much so that I'll write about both. Powell isn't just a game-wrecking edge rusher, he's also a contender for the best passer Tarboro has ever had at quarterback. He's accurate and can go through progressions, making it almost unfair for opponents that have to account for his arm in addition to Tarboro's virtually unstoppable rushing attack. I really hate I didn't get to scout him at edge in person after he had to miss our Prep Redzone camp with a nagging hamstring injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDowell-Moore is a walking highlight reel on both sides of the ball. He averaged 14 yards a carry last season and picked off three passes as a defensive back. A legitimate Division 1 running back prospect, he should be in line for another huge season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kamerin-mcdowell-moore/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[player_tooltip player_id='473838' first='Kamerin' last='McDowell-Moore']</a></strong> (Ath.), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704821' first='Keivious' last='Bridgers'] </strong>(LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ayden-Grifton Chargers (3A)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704839' first='EJ' last='Ruffin'], </strong>RB/LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruffin was all over the place last year, with over 63% of the team's total rushing yardage, 82 tackles, and six interceptions to lead the team. He's a huge piece on both sides of the ball and has elite athleticism for Ayden-Grifton. If they want to again compete, this time in a tougher conference, Ruffin will be a key on both sides of the ball, and special teams. The Chargers also lose their quarterback, so Ruffin will be a key safety blanket out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704848' first='Nygel' last='Morgan'] </strong>(WR/DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704843' first='Loyalty' last='Fuller'] </strong>(LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beddingfield Bruins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704826' first='Jahtavious' last='Johnson']</strong> Ath. (WR/DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beddingfield lost one of its best two-way players to transfer, so there's a hole to fill on both sides of the ball. Johnson has the talent to do that and more. Last year, he flashed in limited opportunities on both offense and defense, with over 100 rushing yards, 150 receiving yards, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He should play some running back and receiver this season and don't be surprised if he steps up his game, because he's shifty and tough to bring down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>Sam Finch </strong>(QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704825' first='Darrian' last='Jones'] </strong>(WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Farmville Central Jaguars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704814' first='Benjamin' last='Gardner']</strong>, QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Jaguars will go as their dual-threat quarterback will go this season. Last year, he threw seven touchdowns and just three picks in Farmville Central's wins, but had the opposite splits in losses. Part of that is that the Jaguars want to control the clock and aren't build to play from behind--and Gardner has no fears about pushing the ball down the field, especially when trailing. He has a great arm and can do damage on the ground as well, something he did more of during a three-game winning streak down the stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704818' first='Kamarion' last='McDowell'] </strong>(RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704820' first='Cameron' last='Hall']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Greene Central Rams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704830' first='Dejuan' last='Cobb'], </strong>RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cobb only played in eight games last season, but still led the Rams in rushing, averaging over six yards a carry. Over the course of a whole season, he'd have been on pace for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. He's a slasher, able to consistently pick up chunks of yards to move the chains. As the team loses some receiving options, he's a candidate to get a bigger workload in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704835' first='Chris' last='Dildy'] </strong>(LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1704833' first='Devaun' last='Brewington']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kinston Jaguars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper'], </strong>WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Copper has long been one of our favorite receivers in the class and some Division 1 schools finally recognized that this summer. A recent commitment to NC State has him on everyone's radar now and he'll have the chance to shine as a senior. An elite route-runner, he also has speed to burn and the ability to make people miss after the catch. He can do it all and he and the coaching staff deserve credit for how he's able to adjust to what any given defense throws at him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1337049' first='Tyler' last='Jones']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1539536' first='Brennan' last='Chambers'] </strong>(WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->