Predicting Every Greater Neuse River Conference Team’s MVP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We started conference-wide coverage earlier this preseason, and we've been looking at the top player on each team across various conferences. Here, we're looking at one of the top conferences in the state, the Greater Neuse River 7A Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Greater Neuse River 7A Conference 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:&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-albemarle-conference-teams-mvp/">Albemarle 2A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-southern-carolina-teams-mvp/">Southern Carolina 6A/7A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-quad-city-seven-teams-mvp/">Quad City Seven 8A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-carolina-pines-teams-mvp/">Carolina Pines 6A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-each-big-carolina-teams-mvp/">Big Carolina 6A/7A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-eastern-plains-teams-mvp/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-big-east-teams-mvp/">Big East 5A/6A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-each-cap-8a-teams-mvp/">CAP 8A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-northeastern-coastal-teams-mvp/">Northeastern Coastal 3A/4A/5A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-four-rivers-teams-mvp/">Four Rivers 3A/4A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-carolina-1a-2a-teams-mvp/">Carolina 1A/2A</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton Comets</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Damacio Cueto</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting quarterbacks on Scott Chadwick-coached teams always have high expectations—and high potential. Cueto comes over to Clayton with huge shoes to fill after the Comets graduated a strong senior class that led them to the 7A state title game in 2025. Expect the dual-threat quarterback to be one of the top players in the 7A class this year. If he can avoid mistakes and make plays when asked, the Comets will once again be tough to beat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='444280' first='Jordan' last='Hamm']</strong> (Edge), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='366314' first='AK' last='Crumel']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cleveland Rams</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Hulbert</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New head coach, same offense for Cleveland. But this year, expect second-year starter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702810' first='Owen' last='Hulbert']</strong> to have more license to both improvise and throw the ball around the field. The Rams were abnormally run-heavy last year, but I expect them to get back to their air raid roots. If they can find balance on offense, they can beat any team in the state thanks to talent and versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1608325' first='Kaleb' last='Ferrell']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2133929' first='Markus' last='Medley']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Fuquay-Varina Bengals</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1643341' first='Demetrius' last='McKoy']</strong> | RB/LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bengals struggled in their brutal conference last year, but had several bright spots, including the budding McKoy. He brings an explosive element to the offense that the Bengals have missed in recent seasons. I'm interested to see how the touches are split on offense, because Fuquay-Varina has plenty of talent at the skill positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421052' first='Matthew' last='Ziglar']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2102329' first='Cayden' last='Yount']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Garner Trojans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1397877' first='AJ' last='Randle']</strong> | LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Randle has the best game speed of any linebacker in the 2027 class in North Carolina. He's all over the place for a talented defense. The Trojans weren't far off from a truly historical season last year and return a ton of top talent in 2026. Randle and the defense should once again be one of the best units in the 7A class. If the offense can hit its potential, we could be talking about Garner as a potential <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/7a-sleepers-in-2026/">state-championship sleeper</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1625015' first='Christian' last='Ormandy']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1225217' first='Amir' last='Wallace']</strong> (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Smithfield-Selma Spartans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2102339' first='Jeremy' last='Smith']</strong> | WR/DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smithfield-Selma has some individual talent, but it lacked depth last season. Smith had one of the better seasons that went largely unnoticed in 2026, picking off six passes while averaging 14 yards per catch and flashing as a kick returner. He's versatile enough to win on more than just athleticism, and he's part of a strong receiver group. There's a ton of potential on Smithfield-Selma, especially out wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1702934' first='Davion' last='Hurst']</strong>&nbsp;(WR/DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1655115' first='Johnavon' last='Cox']</strong> (QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">South Garner Titans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607095' first='Randolph' last='Ross']</strong> | WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year was supposed to be a breakout year for the Titans, but injuries decimated the passing game and forced the offense to turn into an old-school direct snap rushing attack. Everybody's healthy now, so the Titans should have the talent to compete, even in a brutal conference. Ross is a huge receiver with elite ball skills, and he's developed both as an underneath route-runner and as a blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580801' first='Joseph' last='Bailey']</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='651090' first='Devin' last='Shoulars']</strong> (QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Southeast Raleigh Bulldogs</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378921' first='Christian' last='Freeman']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While there's a ton of talent on Southeast Raleigh's roster, it all goes through Freeman on offense. The Bulldogs added a ton of size on the outside, which should add a new dimension to the passing attack. I'm interested to see what Freeman and the skill players can do behind a dynamic offensive line. The defense should be strong this year, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1192754' first='Caden' last='Jones']</strong> (WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2168898' first='Josiah' last='Heath']</strong> (LB)</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,&nbsp;<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>.&nbsp;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 -->