Predicting Every Team’s 2026 MVP: Region III-2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The calendar has flipped to June so it's time to really start breaking down what we can expect for the 2026 football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already seen a lot of transfers, and more are sure to come this summer. But what we can do is begin analyzing who will be the MVP for every team in the SCHSL as it stands today. This is just a guess, as we don't know yet who might emerge over the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are our stab at the teams in the newly formed Region III-2A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ANDREW JACKSON VOLUNTEERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667267' first='J'von' last='Kelly'] </strong>RB/DB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly is a player that will end up playing a lot of different positions for the Volunteers this fall. He enters the 2026 campaign as the leading returning rusher (646 yards) and one of the top returners on defense that must replace a couple of defenders that averaged over 12 tackles per game. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder also excels in the return game. According to coach Jeremy Smith, Kelly has all the tools to play on the collegiate level on either side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19026119/690d5d1ed73efefe8c0fc51bu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20e7ed71009"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CHESTER CYCLONES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster']</strong> RB/LB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feaster is coming off a 2025 season in which he ran for 1,421 yards and 18 touchdowns. What makes those numbers even more impressive is he averaged over 10 yards per attempt. He also saw time at linebacker where he contributed eight tackles for loss and three sacks in a limited role. With Jerry Caldwell replacing Victor Floyd as the head coach, expect Caldwell to lean on Feaster to carry an even larger role in 2026. Chester might be unsettled at QB early in the season and that will be more reason to rely on the talents of Feaster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22466296/695d4e68ea755512b9bb6a7cu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20e7ed71086"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>COLUMBIA CAPITALS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106788' first='Nycari' last='Kinard']</strong> WR, 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Capitals have a budding star in Kinard. He has the size and athleticism to make all the catches and doesn't mind going over the middle or stretching the defense on a deep ball. Columbia used three different quarterbacks last season and if they can settle on a starter this season, the chemistry with Kinard will help. He's 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and is sure-handed when the ball comes his way. He only had 19 catches for 334 yards last season, but he caught four of the six TD passes for the Capitals. He's a big play waiting to happen and should be better suited to make an impact after gaining valuable experience as a freshman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/29298534/6944f29c1a3c9e191da7f9fau0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20e7ed710ee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>KEENAN RAIDERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822187' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal']</strong> RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders stumbled to a three-win season, but it was no fault of O'Neal. He's rising senior had his second straight 1,000-yard campaign and has placed himself firmly as one of the best backs to watch in the Midlands. He has 2,338 yards over the past two seasons and he proved his durability last in finishing with 192 of 240 rushing attempts by Keenan. He even found time to contribute on defense with 15 tackles in a limited role. College coaches are inquiring more about O'Neal, and he's added some weight and looked smooth in offseason workouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20128171/69126da5b961307c3427e66bu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20e7ed71142"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>MID-CAROLINA REBELS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820916' first='Wyatt' last='Mazza']</strong> ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The All-State selection last season will be a four-year starter for the Rebels once this season begins. He played QB, RB and TE on offense and is the main clog on the defense from his middle linebacker position. He had passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns last season while contributing 71 tackles on defense. His leadership is off the charts as he makes sure everyone is in position. New Mid-Carolina coach Jody Haltiwanger says Mazza is one of the toughest kids he's ever been around. He should see his role be just as versatile this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19765156/68ff5f44f86b105cfd1f9694u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20dd5c8ae4b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NEWBERRY BULLDOGS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672927' first='Ty' last='Abrams']</strong> ATH, 2028 (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Abrams has been described as someone that can do anything he wants on a football field. He's instinctive and hard working and that translates well. The Bulldogs lost a lot from last year's 12-win season and it's likely Abrams could become a featured piece to the offense. He was somewhat limited last season but the thought process this year is to feed Abrams plenty of chances to see if he can expand his role to take over some of the production that graduated. He will be running behind a stud offensive lineman in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615022' first='Eli' last='Sanders']</strong> so that will help as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19133569/68c198366219754313190516u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a20dd5c8ae8b"} /-->