Predicting Every Team’s 2026 MVP: Region II-5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season inches closer as we are now in the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As teams get into the heart of their summer conditioning, 7-on-7 and camp schedules, our attention turns to the popular Team MVP series where we'll be giving you our picks for who we think will be the best player on each team throughout the state in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at our picks for the new Region II-5A, featuring teams from the Upstate and Catawba River Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>BOILING SPRINGS BULLDOGS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665369' first='Djay' last='Leak'] </strong>ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leak is a versatile, two-way player who has the athletic ability, strength and speed that you're looking for. He is a difference maker on special teams, whether it's on punt returns where he can find a lane and take it to the house with great speed. If he's out on defense, he's impressive in lockdown one-on-one coverage which included a solid performance against Dutch Fork in the playoffs last year. He stays stride for stride with defenders and doesn't allow receivers to get behind him. He'll be fun to watch in the Upstate in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19448700/691f6dce74675de9798ec9a3u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc849ee377"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DORMAN CAVALIERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] </strong>RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The way Means runs is the perfect combo of speed and power. When he gets into the open field, it's either get out of his way or get run over. He runs with a burst that is fun to watch when he gets into the open field. Ball security is of the utmost importance for any ball carrier, and Means exemplifies that. He doesn't go down at first contact and will be a guy that defensive coordinators will need to plan for first in 2026 after a 2025 campaign that saw him 1,450 yards (7.4 yards per carry) and 21 touchdowns on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20471025/68ffa2418a7d0e0ac04337d5u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ernrn","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc103d76ae"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>FORT MILL YELLOW JACKETS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1266099' first='Broden' last='Mitcheson'] </strong>RB, 2027 (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The All-Region performer who ran for 1,136 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2025 returns for his senior season with the Yellow Jackets. Mitcheson may be one of the more underrated backs in the Catawba River Region with how skilled he is. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, catch it on running back screens and run downhill and get yards against a defense. He moves with purpose and is tough to bring down in the open field. And he's not afraid to take a hit either. He even played quarterback in a few games last year, including the first round playoff game against Catawba Ridge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19427828/68f535923d533836b9a7b14cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc103d76c6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NORTHWESTERN TROJANS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] </strong>QB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a while since a Northwestern quarterback did what Means did as a first year starter – lead his team to a state championship. He helped the Trojans' offense light up the scoreboard, averaging 49.1 points per game. Means did damage on the air and on the ground, with 1239 yards rushing and 2872 yards passing for a grand total of 57 touchdowns. He has a rocket arm that can make all the throws and he's going to make things difficult for a defensive staff to try and prepare for with his skill and the talent that will be around him in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16197335/68e4730368491f9f2a3f42dcu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc103d76dc"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ROCK HILL BEARCATS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1816896' first='Jonah' last='Young']</strong> QB, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In nine games for the Bearcats in 2025, Young made his time count, throwing for 1637 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He has good presence in the pocket to be able to stand in and make accurate throws, especially on the inside routes to the middle of the field and on scrambles. Speaking of scrambles, if you get too caught up in his arm, he can hurt you on the ground. He knows when to take off and get yards to help keep the offense on schedule, and should be fun to watch in 2026 as he will have a full year of experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23126333/68d2a6f3c12d426b65c7d768u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc103d76f0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SPARTANBURG VIKINGS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch'] </strong>RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rutgers commit returns for his senior season with the Vikings. He is a load to try to prepare for and bring down, as he runs with power and can run people over. He is patient to wait for his blocks to open and then once he finds a seam, he explodes with a burst of speed. It doesn't matter if it's an inside zone run or toss sweep, it's north - south progress for one of the top backs in the state of South Carolina heading into 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19436894/6713d61dd2015d996c2cbb95u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc103d7704"} /-->