Quad City Seven 8A Preview: Predicting Every Team's MVP

Conference preview season rolls on. We've already looked at some other conferences in 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>, 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.   Here, I'm moving back to the RDU area to cover an excellent Quad City Seven 8A 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 Quad City Seven 8A Conference MVPs</h2>   One of just two conferences entirely comprised of teams in the newly-created 8A class (CAP 8A) the Quad City Seven features five teams in last year's 4A Southeast Wake conference, plus C.E. Jordan and Willow Spring. Two of the top three teams from last year's 4A Southeast Wake conference went elsewhere, but Jordan presents a new contender.   It's an intriguing mix of familiar teams and old foes and there are a few teams that return the bulk of their production. Here, we're breaking down each team's most important players and predicting the order of finish.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Cougars</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1658594' first='Kaiden' last='Dupree'], RB   While some of it was determined by game-script and score, Dupree was far more effective in wins than losses, averaging over seven yards per touch in wins and just over four in losses. He's a guy who can take over the game if he can get into a rhythm and he flashed that last year. This year, Apex will be a better team if the Cougars can get him the ball win more consistency. The offensive line is a veteran group and the Cougars return most of their production elsewhere on offense, which should make it a dangerous unit.   There aren't many stars on the defense, but more importantly, there aren't many holes either, with impact players at all three levels. If one or more of the six defensive players in our rankings begin to separate themselves, they'll move up in the rankings.   Others Considered: Kyle Hulse (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='923936' first='Austin' last='Herndon'] (Edge), [player_tooltip player_id='979687' first='Tasman' last='Clayton'] (DB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Friendship Patriots</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1727998' first='Benjamin' last='Everett'], RB   Apex Friendship's offense ran through a 2,000-yard rusher who graduated last year. Now, attempting to replace its bell cow back, starting quarterback, and top three receivers, the Patriots need a game to step up and be a star. Everett's limited touches suggest he could be that guy. He's not the most elusive, but he gets downhill and keeps the chains moving. If he can give the offense a star runner, everything else will fall into place for Apex Friendship to get close to replicating its 2024 success.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1078753' first='Ethan' last='McGarrigan'] (QB), [player_tooltip player_id='1607822' first='Jayden' last='Butler'] (Ath.)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Green Hope Falcons</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1728009' first='Mar'kee' last='Jackson'], WR   Jackson provided a spark for an offense that desperately needed one last year, and he'll be relied on even more heavily in 2025 after the Falcons lost their top receiver. This team is searching for more consistency on the offensive side of the ball and if Jackson can elevate his game, Green Hope will get back in the win column.   Others Considered: Joey Umbra (LB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Green Level Gators</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1616159' first='Aaron' last='Sadler'], WR/RB   Sadler burst onto the scene last year to lead Green Level in both receiving and rushing as a freshman and the Gators will rely even more heavily upon the rising sophomore in 2025. He's a guy who can operate at multiple positions across the offense and has to be accounted for on every play, opening things up for the rest of his offense.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1709350' first='Ashish' last='Varadaraju'] (DB), Andrew Burkall (WR), Luke Pagan (RB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jordan Falcons</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='735579' first='Landon' last='Melton'], QB   A talented quarterback covers a multitude of holes in an offense and the best way to replace a 2,000-yard rusher is to have the quarterback take another step forward. Melton had a huge junior year, averaging over 10 yards per attempt and throwing 22 touchdowns and just three picks (with another 700 yards on the ground). Jordan will likely need him to do a bit more from a volume perspective, however, as the Falcons threw the ball on just 28.6% of their offensive snaps last season. Expect that number to tick up and expect Melton to spread the ball out to a strong group of skill players, even if the Falcons don't end up having one offensive star.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='321266' first='Noah' last='Clark'] (IDL), [player_tooltip player_id='1607844' first='Xavier' last='Perkins'] (Edge)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Panther Creek Catamounts</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='1678328' first='Jaysen' last='Oriol'], Edge   Panther Creek loses some talented players off the offense and a key piece or two in the secondary, but the Catamounts returns the bulk of their fearsome defensive line, led by rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1678328' first='Jaysen' last='Oriol'] and rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1679986' first='Lacina' last='Coulibaly']. In all, the Catamounts had 33 sacks last year from players returning, the highest number I can find in the Raleigh area. If that group is as good or even better this season, it will help a younger secondary and put plenty of pressure on opposing offenses.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1679986' first='Lacina' last='Coulibaly'] (LB/Edge), [player_tooltip player_id='1658599' first='Travis' last='Woodard'] (RB)   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Willow Spring Storm</h3>   [player_tooltip player_id='563219' first='Greyson' last='Mosley'], WR   We saw enough of Mosley this offseason to believe that he could have a bigger season as a junior and if deployed correctly, he could thrive as a route-running specialist. Last year, the offense faced some limitations that kept Mosely underneath as a gadget guy, but he has well above average technical abilities and can get open at all levels of the field. Expect him to operate down the field with a bit more frequency in 2025. If he can stretch the defense, it will unlock another dimension of an offense looking to diversify.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1612488' first='Camden' last='Toni'] (OL), Aydric Spivey (LB/DB)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicted Order of Finish</h2>   1. Jordan   2. Apex Friendship   3. Panther Creek   4. Apex   5. Willow Spring   6. Green Level   7. Green Hope   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Final Thoughts</h3>   The addition of Jordan to this group really elevates the ceiling of the conference. Apex Friendship had an excellent year in 2024, but still stalled out in a playoff loss to the Falcons. Jordan is not just talented, but it's a veteran team that could have its best shot to challenge for a state title this season. The defensive line talent in this conference is excellent and that's something I'm eying this season.   I do think most of these teams can win in the non-conference to elevate their respective ceilings, but I find it hard to imagine one of these teams can truly challenge Jordan if the Falcons play to their potential. Second place is a fantastic race, with Apex Friendship, Panther Creek, and Apex all having a real shot at beating one another. There's a ton of talent here, and I'm looking forward to scouting a couple of these teams in person.   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 some other conferences in higher classifications (Central Piedmont 7A/8A, Greater Neuse River 7A, 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.