Predicting Every Team’s 2026 MVP: Region V-3A

The 2026 football season will be here before we know it.   Over the course of the next three months, teams will participate in workouts galore leading up to the start of preseason camp. And while the summer is sure to include mass transfers - thanks to the SCHSL's policy that went into effect for this academic year - we have enough information to start making some educated assumptions about each team's likely most valuable player.   In Region V-3A, there's a clear-cut expected favorite to win the title. But when we start breaking down the teams themselves, we're seeing some individuals ready for a huge stage.   BISHOP ENGLAND BISHOPS   [player_tooltip player_id='1172361' first='Matthew' last='Ponkow'] DL/LB, 2027    From the Brothers Tonon (Chase and Trevor) to [player_tooltip player_id='1822203' first='Charlie' last='Sakre'] to the return of [player_tooltip player_id='1640504' first='Luke' last='Russell'] to any number of others, the Bishops' defense has a chance to be elite in Class 3A this fall against some pretty heady competition. At the center of it all now is Ponkow, who has more game-wrecking ability than he needs and the potential to upend every offensive unit that will line up against him this fall. His high-impact numbers prove it. Over 34 career games, he's already put up 68.5 tackles for loss, 31 sacks, nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. There are teams in the state that struggle for that type of production. Ponkow does that by getting himself exactly where he needs to be, which is also why he has 279 career tackles and hasn't finished a season with fewer than 88 stops. Some of the others on that side of the ball might cut into his tackles figures some, but creating a turnover or burying an opponent behind the sticks is a universal game changer.    GEORGETOWN BULLDOGS    [player_tooltip player_id='1825017' first='Trent' last='Singleton'] ATH, 2028   Two years ago, the vibe from Georgetown football wasn't good. As in, there was talk about the weight room being optional. Flash forward a bit, and Singleton is a good example of the small, yet important, strides being taken. As of January, his bench max was 185 pounds. Then, in March, he did four reps at that weight during the Carolinas Coaches Combine to go along with a strong medicine ball throw and broad jump. Factor in that he's all of 5-foot-8 and 148 pounds and we know things are progressing in Georgetown for a team that went 0-11 last fall. In 2026, though, Singleton can play the biggest role in getting back into the win column. He's going to play defensive back. And receiver. And some tailback. And some wildcat snaps. And return some kicks and punts. He's a small but complete package of skill sets that will all be utilized.     HANAHAN HAWKS   [player_tooltip player_id='1615084' first='Tripp' last='Gallus'] QB, 2028    Gallus had such a quick rise that he went from freshman part-timer to full-timer in a flash. His career numbers include 2,645 passing yards and 23 touchdowns and another 273 rushing yards with another score. What we're most interested to see, though, is how quickly he can go from reliable starter to someone who can take over a game. The biggest part of that will be increasing his production without adding to the turnover ratio. Over 18 career varsity games, he's better pretty good on that front. Gallus has thrown seven total picks (in 317 pass attempts) and only lost one fumble. Every series he doesn't put the ball on the ground or give one away through the air is another opportunity for a pretty balanced Hawks' offense to keep winning the field position game. Tack on a short, quick delivery with some zip and he's the motor of this team.    NORTH CHARLESTON COUGARS    [player_tooltip player_id='1467808' first='Anthony' last='Simmons'] DL/OL, 2028   North Charleston opponents have already had their fill of Simmons. He's been a starter since Day 1 of high school and has been highly effective. Over that span, he's put up 30 tackles for loss, a couple forced fumbles and sacks, nearly 15 quarterback hurries and 80 total tackles. Here's why we think he's about to be even better. The nose guard has been doing that at 330 pounds or more for most of his career. This offseason, though, he's slimmed down to the 300-pound mark and is as nimble as he's ever been without sacrificing any power. Alongside his 79-inch wing span, and the ability to get close to a ball carrier or execute his moves will be more evident, too. The weight loss also won't hurt the fact he's going to likely start at one of the team's offensive guard spots. Wrap it all together, and Simmons is a force.    OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE LANDSHARKS   [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] QB, 2027 (pictured)   The pressure of expectations can't be much higher for Manavian. After all, how to you build off a three-peat at this level without anything other than a fourth consecutive state championship not being the base line? Everyone and their mother already knows Manavian has the goods to put up monster production. He threw for 4,000 yards last fall after hitting 3,000 as a sophomore. But, he's also got a slew of weapons around him to continue confounding defenses unable to slow him down. No, he probably doesn't need to hit the 4k mark again for the Landsharks to be considered the favorite, but this isn't simply about stats. Manavian has got to be the day-in, day-out leader at Oceanside.

The 2026 football season will be here before we know it.