Predicting Every Southern Carolina 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. 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. First up, the Southern Carolinas 6A/7A Conference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predicting Southern Carolinas 6A/7A 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:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Charlotte Catholic Cougars</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2145591' first='Max' last='Whalen']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one of the youngest Charlotte Catholic Cougars teams I've seen in the last two decades. But legendary head coach Mike Brodowicz returns to the sidelines, meaning they'll be disciplined and relentless. Whalen was the second-leading rusher last season for the Cougars, and he has the patience and leg drive you look for in a back in that particular offense. Some guys will step up, I'm just not sure which younger guys I need to have on my radar at this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2124734' first='Jackson' last='Williamson']</strong> (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Piedmont Panthers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687754' first='RJ' last='Sherrod']</strong> | Ath.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm taking the glass half-full approach here; if the Panthers are better this season in a brutal conference, it'll be because a young group of skill players have developed. Sherrod, along with some other playmakers, flashed last year, but there just wasn't enough consistent offensive firepower to hang with some of the deeper teams. The defense, led by senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1957195' first='Davis' last='Weycker']</strong>, has some talent, but the Panthers will go as their offense goes. If Sherrod and some other guys get going early, they'll improve on last year's win total.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1957195' first='Davis' last='Weycker']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2220838' first='Khedric' last='Bell']</strong> (Ath.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sun Valley Spartans</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1607758' first='Joshua' last='Bell']</strong> | RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans had a fantastic season last year, falling by three to eventual state champion Watauga in the third round of the playoffs. That was a senior-laden roster with a ton of experience. This year, they're starting over with a lot of new faces. Bell ran for 400 yards as the second back and flashed starter potential. The Spartans will likely build around him as the focal point of a young offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2049170' first='Quasir' last='Williams']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cuthbertson Cavaliers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1426916' first='Cobel' last='Nkembeng']</strong> | LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year was a youth movement for the Cavaliers, and there were some growing pains in that. Interestingly, an overwhelmingly young defense was the bright spot, compared to the older offense. With multiple true freshman starters on defense, the Cavaliers are in good shape. Nkembeng grew into the varsity squad as the year progressed, and he's looked good this offseason. He should lead a solid defensive unit. My main question is about whether the offense can take a step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2005619' first='Wyatt' last='Edwards']</strong> (LB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1662114' first='Austin' last='Davis']</strong> (QB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marvin Ridge Mavericks</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1429533' first='Evan' last='Culicerto']</strong> | LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Culicerto is a multi-year starter for the Mavericks, who have generally gone as he does. He plays his best in the biggest moments, including a three-takeaway performance in the playoffs two years ago. I'm interested to see if he plays closer to the line of scrimmage again. Last year, he upped his tackle numbers, but had far fewer splash plays. The quarterback situation is also interesting here, and I'm intrigued to see how they divide snaps between two talented passers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2198468' first='Levi' last='Kerr']</strong> (QB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2081108' first='Chase' last='Wakefield']</strong> (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Porter Ridge Pirates</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420953' first='Keenan' last='Sullivan']</strong> | Ath.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates lose their do-it-all playmaker from last season, but return Sullivan, who plays quarterback, but is being recruited as a receiver. He's an elite dual-threat, but the Pirates will need another offensive playmaker to step up. Defensively, they lose several key pieces both to graduation and transfer, but return their top pass-rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956004' first='Charles' last='Watson']</strong> (Edge), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1675744' first='Kameron' last='Hayden']</strong> (DB)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Weddington Warriors</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street']</strong> | QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weddington loses a ton, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But the Warriors' hope lies in the addition of the most talented quarterback in school history, Independence transfer [player_tooltip player_id='915835' first='Jared' last='Street']. The dual-threat had 24 total touchdowns and over 2,800 total yards last year. Weddington will still pound the rock and play defense, but the Warriors' ceiling is tied to Street's ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Others Considered: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2206752' first='Ace' last='Clements']</strong> (DB), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616163' first='Makai' last='Henriquez']</strong> (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, let us know! You can reach me on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>) or by email at will.helms21@gmail.com. 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 -->