Predicting Every Team’s 2026 MVP: Region IV-4A

<!-- 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 during camps and 7-on-7 events that's sprinkled on the calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is our stab at the teams in the newly formed Region IV-4A<strong>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>AC FLORA FALCONS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672851' first='Ziggy' last='Offord']</strong> DB/WR, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons have welcomed new coach Willie Offord and with that, they've received a bonus with the addition of his son into the AC Flora Scarlet Red and Columbia Blue. The younger Offord is going to fit right in with his new team and give them a dynamic receiver as well as a shutdown cornerback. He fits the mold at 6-foot-0, 170 pounds and he's going to see an uptick in competition not only on game day but during practice as well. Offord is likely just scratching the surface on how good he can be and the change of scenery is only going to accelerate that timeline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19818137/69080b3e0815db8cab8ce829u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e45381"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DREHER BLUE DEVILS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818909' first='Aiden' last='Holmes']</strong> OL/DL, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The region is loaded with talented linemen, and Holmes is right near the top. The rising senior is aggressive and moves well given the fact that he's just under 300 pounds. We watched him in a game last season, and he played through the whistle and loved contact, which translates well for an offensive lineman. He's probably going to see more reps on the defensive side of the ball this coming season, but we think his future in college is on the offensive front. He shows good lateral movement and is adept at run blocking as he is pass blocking. His wingspan helps him win a lot of battles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/24833592/6a1e8b570d3d70a4fe4c0c17u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e453c9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LANCASTER BRUINS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1810416' first='Jeremiah' last='Salley']</strong> OL, 2027 (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salley has been racking up the offers since early May and he could see some additional higher profile offers come his way early in the season. We have him listed at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds but the word is he's gotten a little bit bigger since those measurements were taken. He's north of 300 pounds now and added an inch but the added bulk hasn't slowed him down at all. He has quick feet and long arms that allow him to control defenders in tight spaces. Salley can also get out in space and blocker smaller defenders because he uses his frame so well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19702498/690f9ce16266919891325ab2u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e453ed"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>LUGOFF-ELGIN DEMONS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning']</strong> RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's another transfer that we believe will create a tremendous upswing for the Demons. Fanning brings his talents over from White Knoll and he's joining an already talented group that includes QB [player_tooltip player_id='1823858' first='Zach' last='Williams'] WR [player_tooltip player_id='1610229' first='Keenen' last='Cunningham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] and all the various things he can do. Fanning has proved his durability with three years of starting experience already under his belt. He has the size and athleticism to be one of the breakout stars in 2026. He's smooth, has good hips that allow him a quick change of direction ability. If Fanning takes pressure off Williams, Lugoff-Elgin could be one of the surprise teams in Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18510055/690785ec0c02cc788e7192c7u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e45419"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>RICHLAND NORTHEAST CAVALIERS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822789' first='Toreyon' last='Livingston']</strong> SS/OLB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a tough season for the Cavaliers last season, and they have a new beginning with first-year coach Demarcus Simons tasked with turning the program around. Livingston is going to be one of the cornerstones of a revamped defense after a solid season in 2025, He had 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two blocked PAT's and an impressive 102-yard pick-six against Spring Valley. He reads and reacts quickly and that allows him to protect in pass coverage but also provide another defender near the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22446554/6908c7fa2819cfc750d458afu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e45447"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WESTWOOD REDHAWKS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rios is going to be part of a crowded backfield, but he has a skill set that is going to allow him to have ample opportunities in both the rushing and receiving game. Rios was the Redhawks second leading rusher (119 carries, 588 yards and 11 touchdowns) and leading receiver (28 receptions, 298 yards and three touchdowns) in 2025. That type of versatility usually pays big dividends when someone can do so many different things. He's shifty, hard to square up and deliver a big blow against and he's fast enough to outrun a lot of defenders in open space. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22430188/68d01dba8a61b935346b2360u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a28af2e45479"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->