Predicting Every Carolina Pines Team's MVP

It's June, which is close enough to the season to start preseason content, at least in my mind. Our friends at Prep Redzone South Carolina started a fun series that we picked up on later in the offseason last year. We're bringing it back this season, 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 Pines 6A Conference.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Carolina Pines 6A Conference Team MVPs</h2>   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.   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>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Harnett Central Trojans</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1135515' first='Koby' last='Howard'] | QB   Last year, the Trojans rode a top offensive unit to a 7-5 record and second-round playoff berth. Most of the key guys on that side of the ball return. Howard is one of the best quarterbacks in the 6A class, and any team that returns a 2,500-yard passer has a chance. He loses his top target but the Trojans return three other top playmakers at the skill positions.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1853146' first='Kole' last='Thompson'] (WR), [player_tooltip player_id='2143614' first='Ro'Shawn' last='Towson'] (RB)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lee County Yellow Jackets</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2147849' first='Daniel' last='Prince'] | DL/Edge   The Yellow Jackets had an odd 2025, with six of their seven wins coming by 15 points or less and all five of their losses by 17 or more. It seemed like there was a different hero in every win as well, with balanced play on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. In 2026, I expect the defense to be the better of the units, given the disparity in returning starters on either side. Prince led the team with seven sacks while tying up linemen for his talented linebackers.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1636768' first='Tyler' last='Buchear'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='2159574' first='Dylan' last='Jones'] (DB)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">South Johnston Trojans</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1727145' first='Isaac' last='Barefoot'] | DB   Everything runs through South Johnston's defense. Not only are they a talented unit, but they were consistent last year, as well, allowing more than 22 points just once. Barefoot is one of a couple key returners, finishing second on the team with 67 tackles and picking off four passes. The offense loses a 1,600-yard rusher, but returns two of its top receivers.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='2153309' first='Iman' last='Johnson'] (Edge/LB), [player_tooltip player_id='2147418' first='Cayden' last='Odle'] (WR)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Southern Lee Cavaliers</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2104567' first='Kessler' last='Petrarca'] | WR   On a struggling team, Petrarca was a bright spot, eclipsing 1,100 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns. He's an excellent deep threat, but can thrive underneath, as well. The Cavaliers were probably a bit better than their record suggested last season, and they should be able to pull off a few more wins in 2026.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1688937' first='Kaiden' last='Blackshear-Watson'] (RB/WR)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Triton Hawks</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1521147' first='Jamarcus' last='Shaw'] | RB/LB   While Shaw is a multi-year contributor at linebacker, last year was his first as the starting tailback. He had a big season, especially near the goal line, scoring over half of the team's touchdowns. I expect his volume to tick up this year, and we could see him approach 1,000 rushing yards on the season. While the defense wasn't amazing last season, the Hawks return several starters on that side of the ball.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1658476' first='Tracey' last='Brown'] (DL)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Union Pines Vikings</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1610573' first='Adrian' last='Colon'] | RB   The Vikings enter 2026 looking to repeat as Carolina Pines Conference Champions, and they'll once again look to ride Colon as the featured playmaker. He'll be especially important after they lose their quarterback and starting receiver. The defense was one of the best units in the class last year and returns a ton of talent, including several potential FCS prospects.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1610572' first='Josiah' last='Sandler'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1610571' first='Dylan' last='Benedict'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='1706217' first='Duncan' last='Obst'] (DL)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">West Johnston Wildcats</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1698691' first='Gavin' last='Bullock'] | LB   West Johnston's defense was outstanding last year, all things considered, allowing fewer than 20 points per game against 6A teams. The Wildcats lose some top guys, especially in the front seven, but return linebacker/edge prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1698691' first='Gavin' last='Bullock'], who had five sacks last year. He can play in coverage, too, and they'll need him to have a big year.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='2137679' first='Case' last='Holland'] (QB)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Western Harnett Eagles</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='1727189' first='Creig' last='Matthews'] | RB/WR   Last season, Matthews burst onto the scene for a young Western Harnett offense, finishing first on the team in rushing, second in receiving, and scoring over half of the team's touchdowns. This year, he's a known commodity, and the Eagles will rely on him to provide consistent offense on a younger team that should improve this year.   Others Considered: [player_tooltip player_id='1149031' first='Logan' last='Kellam'] (LB), [player_tooltip player_id='2137668' first='Aiden' last='Shupe'] (QB)   Our preseason coverage is just getting started. 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It's June, which is close enough to the season to start preseason content, at least in my mind. Our friends at Prep Redzone South Carolina started a fun series that we picked up on later in the offseason last year. We're bringing it back this season, 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 Pines 6A Conference.