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

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season inches closer as we are now into the summer months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As teams get into the heart of their summer conditioning, 7-on-7s and camp schedules, we're rounding out our 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 IV-A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>BARNWELL WARHORSES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819832' first='Jayden' last='Peeples']</strong> RB, 2027 (pictured)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peeples fits what the Warhorses want to do offensively, which is to be physical and run the football in between the tackles. He can get the tough yards and help keep the offense on schedule. He's patient to wait for his blocks to open and then explodes with great speed for six points. He has good size on him and he's tough to bring down when he's got a good head of steam. He can also flip over on defense and anticipate run plays well with a level of aggressiveness that is fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26825559/692c7725733bfca19ff7f516u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a8228d5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>BLACKVILLE-HILDA HAWKS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis']</strong> ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is shifty in space at his primary position of running back. He knows how to find the green grass and is another back who is patient to wait for his blocks to develop and then explodes with a good burst of speed. He doesn't go down on first contact and is great with getting extra yardage. He is dynamic on special teams as he took a punt back to the house on his film. If he finds a lane, it could be a big play and he'll be key for the Hawks in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21107526/68f45e7bd919868e1ed23e75u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a822910"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>CALHOUN COUNTY SAINTS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Byron Johnson</strong> DB, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is an instinctive, attacking defensive back who can bring the fight to an opposing offense. Once he recognizes a route, he acts quickly to limit the play to a short gain. But we were more impressed with his ability to come up in run support and make tackles. He fills the alley well, and even if he's not there to make the play at first, his recovery speed is good to where he can chase down the ball carrier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22749269/6908e9ad0d7ee19be47eeabeu0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a822932"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>HUNTER-KINARD TYLER TROJANS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824353' first='Keiondre' last='Bell'] </strong>ATH, 2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bell's performance in 2025 earned him All-Region honors as a sophomore, and he looks to build on that heading into 2026. He has a good velocity on his throws and will take what the defense gives him. Whether it's passes out to the flat or a deep ball out into the boundary, it's fun to watch. What was really impressive in going back and watching his film is being able to get out of pressure and climb the pocket to make accurate throws. That's something that will help Bell continue to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26517593/6922bc02535a35ca251e3da4u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a82296c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WAGENER-SALLEY WAR EAGLES</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1820214' first='Jaden' last='Collins']</strong> ATH, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Whether he's a kick returner or running back, the results are the same. It's hard, tough running with great speed. He doesn't dance in space as it's just good vision from him to find the green grass. He has elusiveness out in the open field and is not afraid of contact. He showed an ability to block at the point of attack on a run play that was impressive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20202014/692b5bfe804979f842c25487u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a82298b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>WILLISTON-ELKO BLUE DEVILS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822603' first='Darrell' last='Newman'] </strong>RB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The thing that jumped out at us when watching Newman's film from 2025 is how the Blue Devils used him on direct snaps, and with every run, he got yards. He knows how to find the open space and get the tough yardage, even when teams load the box to stop the run. He keeps his legs moving and can make people miss in the hole as well. He will be fun to watch in 2026 for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(<em><strong>EDITOR'S NOTE: </strong>Williston-Elko's football program will merge with Blackville-Hilda for the 2026 season. We didn't want to discount what W-E was bringing to the table despite the fact it won't have its own team this fall.</em>)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19529849/6902ba3b517fc3e3faf45b46u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a2cc4a8229a9"} /-->