Predicting Every Team's 2026 MVP: Region VI-A

Most of the attention surrounding the newest SCHSL realignment focused on the new-look Class 5A and 4A, which makes sense considering those are the state's schools with the highest enrollments.   The biggest change, though, applied to Class A, which now is by far the largest classification in terms of membership. All of the familiar faces are still around, but now are joined by a healthy amount of the smaller 2A programs from the past realignment cycle.   Region VI-A is one of the more familiar ones in Class A, with rivalries both preserved and renewed during the reshuffle. The headliner is defending state champion Bamberg-Ehrhardt, which will have plenty of chasers both statewide and within the region. As our 2026 MVP prediction series rolls on, here's a look at who we think will be the key pieces in this league race.   BAMBERG-EHRHARDT RED RAIDERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'] QB/DB, 2027 (pictured)   McMillan had the keys to one of the state's most lethal offenses last season, completing 171 of 210 passes for 4,225 yards and 47 touchdowns while rushing for 951 yards on only 95 carries with another 23 scores - for, that's right, 70 total touchdowns. The Red Raiders graduated plenty of talent after winning last year's Class A state title, but this is still McMillan and this is still Bamberg-Ehrhardt. The Red Raiders also return plenty of key pieces, and after a strong spring they'll be facing a summer gauntlet to further prepare for their championship defense. A couple of his top receiving targets return, so as their timing and chemistry continues to improve they'll only become even more dangerous.    BETHUNE-BOWMAN MOHAWKS   [player_tooltip player_id='2163611' first='John' last='Mason'] Jr. ATH, 2027   We're stepping out on a limb here with this prediction, but it's an awfully sturdy limb. Mason has already turned in one MVP-caliber season at Bethune-Bowman, earning Region Defensive Player of the Year honors after a 143-tackle, six-sack, one-interception campaign. But he also hasn't had the offseason he was hoping for, having suffered an arm injury prior to March's Carolinas Coaches Combine stop in Woodland, but he has both the physical tools and past measurables for us to feel comfortable saying he'll help the Mohawks improve on a four-win 2025 that was their best season since 2018.    BRANCHVILLE YELLOW JACKETS   [player_tooltip player_id='1824899' first='Zamir' last='Young'] RB/DB, 2028   Opposing coaches have long lamented game-planning for the Branchville rushing attack, and Young is a top returner for the Yellow Jackets in that department. He didn't wait long giving a glimpse of his game-breaking abilities in an early-season win over Williston-Elko, going for 147 yards and a touchdown in a 31-8 victory. He has good speed, which he reinforced during the spring track season, and also showed off some lower body strength in the long jump. Branchville is looking to bounce back after an 8-3 record in 2024 flipped in 2025, and we feel Young is someone the Yellow Jackets will lean on to make that happen.   DENMARK-OLAR VIKINGS   [player_tooltip player_id='1824848' first='Nyheem' last='Brimfield'] ATH, 2028   The only thing overshadowing Brimfield in his highlight reel may be the overtime being put in by the spot shadow and identification arrow in each clip, because he lines up practically everywhere. In one clip, he's at outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage ready to blow up an opposing offensive tackle. In the next, he's taking a direct snap at quarterback in the red zone. Then there's one of him stepping right in to launch a deep ball to a Vikings receiver. Then he appears out of nowhere from behind everyone on a field goal attempt to recover the blocked kick and start looking for a special-teamer to run over. The opposing coaches who were relieved to see Keithan Washington graduate couldn't have been thrilled when Brimfield later took on a similar do-it-all role. He has a championship pedigree on the basketball court and is a proven leader both there and on the football field, so we feel pretty confident he'll have a heavy hand in Denmark-Olar's success this season.    EDISTO COUGARS   [player_tooltip player_id='1820281' first='Brooklyn' last='Randolph'] OL/DL, 2027   Edisto has been trending in the right direction in recent seasons, averaging four wins per season over the last four when those types of campaigns have been hard to come by. The Cougars had solid play on the offensive line this past season, and the top returner up front is Randolph. He graded out at 83% for the season with 22 pancake blocks, and his returning production and leadership should be even more important following the graduation of Jamon Boatwright after a monster season. Region play has not been kind to Edisto, which hasn't won multiple league games in a season since 2013. The best way to reverse that is with strong play up front, which is why we feel like Randolph is such a valuable piece.    SCOTT'S BRANCH EAGLES   [player_tooltip player_id='1824141' first='Nyren' last='Bowman'] LB/WR, 2027   There's plenty for Scott's Branch fans to be excited about after an eight-win season with both Bowman and [player_tooltip player_id='2151263' first='Keith' last='Rogers'] returning after having big outputs a year ago. Bowman is as underrated as a 6-foot, 200-pounder with All-State credentials can be, and our hunch is that he's going to get more opportunities at receiver this year (after going for 426 yards and six touchdowns last year) with opposing defenses devoting more attention to Rogers. Add in the fact that at linebacker he made 90 tackles with 15 for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and two defensive touchdowns, plus his sterling academic credentials as a top-10 student in his class, and we expect him to continue to contribute to his team's success - and for college coaches to finally take notice.

Most of the attention surrounding the newest SCHSL realignment focused on the new-look Class 5A and 4A, which makes sense considering those are the state's schools with the highest enrollments.