Predicting Every Mid-South Team’s MVP

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We started conference-wide coverage earlier this preseason, and we've been running one "every team's MVP" piece each day. So far, we've covered nearly 15 conferences. Here, we're looking at an intriguing conference in the eastern part of the state, the Mid-South 7A/8A Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Mid-South 7A/8A 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>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-four-rivers-teams-mvp/">Four Rivers 3A/4A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-carolina-1a-2a-teams-mvp/">Carolina 1A/2A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-eastern-sandhills-teams-mvp/">Eastern Sandhills 5A/6A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-greater-neuse-river-conference-teams-mvp/">Greater Neuse River 7A</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-central-piedmont-teams-mvp/">Central Piedmont 7A/8A</a> | <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-triangle-six-teams-mvp/">Triangle Six 6A/7A</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jack Britt Buccaneers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1718784' first='Phoenix' last='Barnes']</strong> | TE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From a pure talent perspective, Barnes is the top player not only on Jack Britt's squad, but possibly in the entire conference. His numbers last year didn't reflect that, and as the Buccaneers lose some talented and productive playmakers, I fully expect them to prioritize feeding Barnes. He excels after the catch and showed a surprisingly robust route tree this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210498' first='Gabriel' last='Suarez']</strong> (RB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Overhills Jaguars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607055' first='Ryyan' last='Coley']</strong> | WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coley's raw numbers in 2025 weren't what they were the year before, as the entire Overhills offense took a step back. The Jaguars, however, have the talent to compete and are less affected by graduation than most of their conference competition. Coley operates primarily underneath, and he's dangerous after the catch. Expect a bounce-back year from Overhills' top playmaker in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880225' first='Connor' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/connor-smith-4/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>(Edge),&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2077458' first='Mark' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mark-smith-2/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong>(LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pine Forest Trojans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2234167' first='Perry' last='Moore']</strong> | WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A smaller guy, Moore was a bright spot for an inconsistent offense last season. He led the Trojans in scrimmage yardage as a sophomore by a wide margin and returns in 2026. If the Trojans want to take a step forward in 2026, they'll need another playmaker or two to become secondary options in the passing game, while Moore operates underneath and excels after the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2225694' first='Tiysan' last='Pollar']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Richmond Senior Raiders</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2050368' first='Chance' last='Crowder']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's conference champions are decimated by graduation at the receiver position and on the defensive front. Where they are experienced, though, is at running back and offensive line. Crowder grew into the starting role last season, with 40 percent of his season yardage coming in Richmond's final three games. The Raiders will run the ball a lot and rely on a talented secondary to keep opposing passing games at bay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687750' first='CJ' last='Covington']</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687751' first='Ty' last='Covington']</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2169841' first='Elijah' last='Ingram']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hoke County Bucks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110732' first='Kameron' last='Campbell']</strong> | Edge/DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a Hoke County fan looking for good news, look at the defensive line. The Bucks have two of the top 2029 defensive linemen in the entire state, with Campbell looking like a future Power Four edge rusher. He and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110731' first='Davon' last='Bronson']</strong> form quite the one-two punch. On a defense that loses a lot in the secondary, those two will likely take steps forward, giving the Bucks a fierce pass rush. They'll need more consistency offensively, but this young group could surprise people.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2110731' first='Davon' last='Bronson']</strong> (IDL), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720433' first='Dontrell' last='Mims']</strong> (LB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pinecrest Patriots</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1059980' first='Najee' last='Gillis']</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinecrest's offense loses its top rusher, and it will probably be a group effort to replace his production. Personally, I think we'll see the Patriots go to the air a bit more now that Gillis is more comfortable at quarterback. He was efficient last season, completing 60 percent of his passes with 17 touchdown passes. He gets two of his top four targets back, with a talented tight end who is healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered:&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1149026' first='Finn' last='Morgan']</strong> (LB/TE), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1720446' first='Eric' last='Melton']</strong> (WR), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2147887' first='Zelden' last='Marsh']</strong> (DL/Edge)</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 -->