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<p>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. Here, we're looking at several conferences to predict one player per team as their team MVP. Let's look at the Quad City Seven 8A Conference.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Quad City Seven 8A Conference Team MVPs</h2>
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<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>
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<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></em></p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Friendship Patriots</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1743751' first='Tyler' last='Goebbel']</strong> | LB</p>
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<p>A recent Charlotte commit, Goebbel had his best year last season for Apex Friendship with 17 tackles for loss and five and a half sacks. He's a game-changer who can make impact plays from his linebacker position. The Patriots weren't far off last year, falling in overtime to Rolesville in the playoffs. Goebbel is the leading returning tackler after the Patriots graduate two senior defenders who finished just ahead. If they can get just enough from the offense, they could <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/way-too-early-8a-top-10/">make noise this fall</a>.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1078753' first='Ethan' last='McGarrigan']</strong> (QB)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Apex Cougars</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1969828' first='Jackson' last='Hunter']</strong> | Edge</p>
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<p>The Cougars lose some key pieces up front, but return top pass-rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1969828' first='Jackson' last='Hunter'] for the 2026 season. The defense wasn't the issue for the 2-8 Cougars last year, as they allowed just 25 points per game, holding some of the best teams on their schedule under 20. The offense has to replace its top two rushers, and Apex needs more from a unit that averaged just 11 points per game last year. Hunter should have a huge year defensively. The question is whether the Cougars can get enough from some of the other playmakers.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1332157' first='Dylan' last='Piver']</strong> (WR)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jordan Falcons</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616112' first='Jonah' last='El-Amin']</strong> | QB</p>
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<p>The most talented team in the Quad City Seven Conference loses a ton of talent, including last year's starting quarterback. But from what I've seen of El-Amin, he's completely ready to take over as the full-time starter. I think the dual-threat quarterback can guide an inexperienced receiving corps to new heights. The front seven will once again be elite, and the Falcons return a 1,200-yard rusher. But its the passing game that will determine their ceiling.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607878' first='Damien' last='Hayes']</strong> (RB) | <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607844' first='Xavier' last='Perkins']</strong> (Edge)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Green Hope Falcons</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146842' first='Jack' last='Slone']</strong> | WR</p>
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<p>The Falcons have one of the deepest receiver groups in the 8A class, and it'll be a question of how the offensive line and quarterback situations play out when determining the ceiling of that unit. Slone has the size, speed, and route-running nuance to thrive, while the other receivers have the speed to get over the top and open holes in the underneath coverage. I'd love to see Green Hope build on its first winning season in half a decade.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2146864' first='Landon' last='Corley']</strong> (WR) | <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715611' first='Bridger' last='Guillory']</strong> (DB)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Green Level Gators</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1853129' first='Derek' last='Monroe']</strong> | Ath.</p>
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<p>One of the top overall players in the 2029 class, Monroe plays both ways and excels on special teams for Green Level. I think that he'll take his game to another level as a sophomore. There are some excellent individual pieces on this roster, and if the depth comes together, the Gators could surprise some people.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272624' first='Luke' last='Pagan']</strong> (RB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1854294' first='Luc' last='Mohamed']</strong> (Edge)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Panther Creek Catamounts</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2155938' first='Finn' last='Stevenson']</strong> | LB</p>
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<p>The Panther Creek front seven has been its calling card for the last several seasons, and 2026 should be no different. While they lose their top pass-rusher, Stevenson returns at linebacker after a huge 2025. The rising senior lived in the backfield last year, and he'll get his running mate back from injury this season. I have questions about the offense's consistency, but the defense should once again be one of the best units in the class.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679986' first='Lacina' last='Coulibaly']</strong> (LB/Edge)</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Willow Spring Storm</h2>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2166397' first='Tyler' last='Hodges']</strong> (LB/Edge)</p>
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<p>Hodges is an excellent prospect with huge potential at either linebacker or edge. He primarily plays middle linebacker for the Storm, where he excels against the run. Willow Spring loses several key playmakers, but brings in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650566' first='Ian' last='Wands']</strong> at quarterback from ALA-Johnston, and he, too, could help the Storm take the next step.</p>
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<p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1650566' first='Ian' last='Wands']</strong> (QB)</p>
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<p><em>Our preseason coverage is just getting started. Coaches, if you want your team featured in a team preview, </em><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">fill out our survey</a>.<em> Want to share Prep Redzone with a friend? Help them get 30% off their first billing cycle with promo code Helms30.</em><br><br><br></p>
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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. Here, we're looking at several conferences to predict one player per team as their team MVP. Let's look at the Quad City Seven 8A Conference.
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