Predicting Every Team’s 2026 MVP: Region III-3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season inches closer as we now enter the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Graduations, Memorial Day and spring sports are all behind us and as teams turn their attention to summer conditioning and 7-on-7s, 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. Here's a look at Region III-3A:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>BLUE RIDGE TIGERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818241' first='Marquiel' last='Troupe'] </strong>ATH, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Troupe looks to be one of the leaders in the receiver room for the Tigers in 2026. He excels at the outside receiver position, where he can get up field quickly after making the catch and he's not afraid of contact when the ball comes his way. He's lightning quick, as evidenced by the Carolinas Coaches Combine, where <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/05/ccc-spartanburg-playerdata-gps-highlights/">he was one of the three players to reach a top speed</a>. He's also impactful on special teams as he took several kicks back to the house for scores. If he finds a lane, it may be a quick touchdown.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26440729/691244821e7a4800429c5316u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1b96d7427f7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>BROOME CENTURIONS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453176' first='Brayden' last='Simpson'] </strong>WR, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simpson did a little bit of everything for the Centurions in 2025. On offense, he had over 1,000 yards of offense whether it was lining up on the outside at receiver, at quarterback or at running back at times. His speed and ability to be explosive stand out when you turn on the tape. And on defense, he can read the quarterback's eyes and take it back to the house. He had three interceptions last year and will be a big piece of the operation in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19395174/694487807137490fbebfd0f5u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1b96d742859"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CHAPMAN PANTHERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822131' first='Keilon' last='Tucker'] </strong>WR, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker has the athletic ability to excel on both sides of the ball. At receiver, he will frequent the slot or on the outside position and most of the time in 2025, he took the top off the defense for a touchdown on deep, vertical routes. He can also beat guys in one-on-one coverage. Speaking of coverage, Tucker can flip over on defense and use his instincts to knock balls away, make interceptions and turn and run with receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19924639/691a437e4a50c91c2d7d90f4u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1b96d74289e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CHRIST CHURCH CAVALIERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='293593' first='Michael' last='Martin'] </strong>RB, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin (pictured above) will be one of the top running backs in the state to watch in 2026. He has a unique blend of speed and power that is fun to watch. Once he gets into the open field, he has the vision to explode and get up field quickly. He doesn't dance in space or try to do too much, it's just good north and south progress. He can make people miss in space and catch the ball out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16839641/68d35fe51d1e649e74172b19u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1b96d7428de"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>UNION COUNTY YELLOW JACKETS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1615123' first='King' last='Henderson'] </strong>DB, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson is a sure tackler from his cornerback position. He can come up in run support and make tackles in the hole and have the quick wits about him to recognize the play that's coming and react. Of course, he can knock balls away when they come his way and create tight windows for the quarterback to get it into. He should be a fun one to watch for the Yellow Jackets in 2026 under new coach Bryan Robinson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23757598/69f783ffcd3a98ece7693a4bu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a1b96d74291e"} /-->