Predicting Every Carolina 1A/2A Team’s MVP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's June, which is close enough to the season to start preseason content, at least in my mind. We're bringing back one of my favorite series from last season, but this time it's a bit earlier in the summer. Here, we're looking at several conferences to predict one player per team as their team MVP. Let's look at the Carolina 1A/2A Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Four Rivers 3A/4A Team MVPs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's Note: Since we started these much later in the offseason, we rolled these into conference previews. We'll preview conferences in the future, but here, we're just focusing on team MVPs.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Other Team MVP Pieces: <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-albemarle-conference-teams-mvp/">Albemarle 2A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-southern-carolina-teams-mvp/">Southern Carolina 6A/7A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-quad-city-seven-teams-mvp/">Quad City Seven 8A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-carolina-pines-teams-mvp/">Carolina Pines 6A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-each-big-carolina-teams-mvp/">Big Carolina 6A/7A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-eastern-plains-teams-mvp/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-big-east-teams-mvp/">Big East 5A/6A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-each-cap-8a-teams-mvp/">CAP 8A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-northeastern-coastal-teams-mvp/">Northeastern Coastal 3A/4A/5A</a> | </em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-four-rivers-teams-mvp/"><em>Four Rivers 3A/4A</em> </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While it doesn't have elite teams in either class, the Carolina 1A/2A Conference is one of the most balanced conferences in the lower classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East Columbus Gators</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2228900' first='Dawson' last='Crosby']</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crosby is a big, highly athletic dual-threat quarterback for the Gators. While he was inconsistent as a passer last season, he ran for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. When he's at his best, East Columbus has the offensive firepower to score on most teams. If the offense can improve in the passing game, the Gators will be dangerous in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>Jacob Stukes</strong> (Edge)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">East Bladen Eagles</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815500' first='Jaden' last='Lewis']</strong> | RB/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top two-way players in the 2A class, Lewis was excellent last season. He ran for nearly 1,500 yards as a running back and picked off four passes as a defensive back. He's added a bit of weight this offseason, which should help as he sees a likely uptick in volume this season. If the Eagles want to make a run, Lewis will be one of the guys to lead them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655441' first='Riley' last='Collins']</strong> (RB/DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hobbton Wildcats</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2148880' first='Amir' last='Tate']</strong> | RB/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hobbton has a lot of talent, but also loses some key playmakers. Tate is back after splitting reps at running back last year and still putting up nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards. I'm interested to see if he's used more often near the goal line this season, or if another play steps up in that role. Either way, I like the talent on this team and think the Wildcats could make noise in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>Javont'e Johnson</strong> (DB/RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lakewood Leopards</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106564' first='Calvin' last='Lacewell'] </strong>| RB/LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lacewell is one of the state's top running backs regardless of class, and we got to see him work out as a linebacker earlier this offseason. He anchors the offense, and he could play more defense this year as his potential future side of the ball in college. The Leopards have some talent on both sides of the ball, and look like they could have another winning record in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>Jayce Smoot</strong> (OL/DL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1611127' first='Reed' last='Ammons']</strong> (DB/QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">North Duplin Rebels</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2228880' first='Jayden' last='Pope']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Duplin loses two of the best players in the 2A class, one from each side of the ball, but the Rebels still return plenty of talent. Pope averaged 50 yards per game as the primary backup, and that number should jump drastically this season as the starter. He leads a versatile rushing attack that can control games and put up points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2228882' first='Noa' last='Quintanilla'] </strong>(LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Union Spartans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616528' first='Tobias' last='Cromartie']</strong> (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Spartans struggled in conference last season, they return a lot of talent on an offense that was better than their scoring average suggested. Cromartie was one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/1a-2a-rbs-to-know-cameron-clem-leads-strong-class/">top running backs in the 2A</a> class last year, averaging nearly 150 yards and over a touchdown per game. The defense is also in good shape, and the Spartans could be in line for a bounce-back season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169847' first='Kenny-Ray' last='Bailey']</strong> (DB/WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">West Columbus Vikings</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2135592' first='DJ' last='Graham']</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the 2A class, Graham has the potential to lead West Columbus to a big comeback season. The Vikings were 3-8 last year, but return most of their production from last year, and could be one of the best sleepers in the 2A class. Graham threw for 18 touchdowns and just four picks last season, while adding 800 yards and another nine touchdowns on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2135593' first='Sam' last='Battle']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2135594' first='Xavier' last='Savage']</strong> (DB/WR)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>. Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->