Predicting Every Team's 2024 MVP: Region III-5A

Region III-5A will feature more teams central to York and Lancaster Counties with Catawba Ridge, Indian Land and Northwestern joining the fold in 2024. The group of guys in this region all possess speed and athleticism. All the teams have a great supporting cast that made picking some MVPs a bit more challenging. But rest assured you'll be hearing about all of them throughout the year when the season kicks off on August 23.   Here are our picks for team MVPs in region III-5A:   CATAWBA RIDGE COPPERHEADS   [player_tooltip player_id='809747' first='Brady' last='Ambrose'] TE, 2025   At 6-foot-4, Ambrose is a big body tight end who can go up and make the tough catches. He has smooth hands and he gets up field quickly once he makes the grab, especially in the quick passing game. He had 18 receptions for 273 yards and 1 touchdown. The Copperheads will have [player_tooltip player_id='1360198' first='Lewis' last='Price'] back on the defensive line to anchor things up front, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/on-campus-catawba-ridge-copperheads/">who caught our eye when we saw him during spring practice last month.</a> Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='595831' first='Rasean' last='Marajah'] at linebacker as well.    CLOVER BLUE EAGLES   [player_tooltip player_id='1012627' first='Landon' last='Stone'] RB, 2025   Stone will be one of the best backs in the area and possibly even the state in 2024. He ran for 2254 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023. Stone is tough to bring down because he runs with a great combination of speed and power. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='402485' first='Cameron' last='James'] at tight end for the Blue Eagles as well, as we expect him to be a threat in the pass game.    FORT MILL YELLOW JACKETS   [player_tooltip player_id='1246944' first='Tanner' last='Mays'] WR, 2025   If you want a difference maker on the outside, Mays is your guy. He runs precise routes and can go up and beat his defenders one-on-one. He is not afraid of contact and we even saw him beat two defenders, showing off concentration and making the catch. Mays will have [player_tooltip player_id='1149056' first='Quinn' last='Kelly'] throwing it to him, who returns for his junior season. [player_tooltip player_id='1277930' first='Grayson' last='Sykes'] will be one of the leaders up front on the offensive line.     INDIAN LAND WARRIORS   [player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] QB, 2027   Athletic and a difference maker when the ball is in his hands. That's probably the best way to describe Patterson in a sentence. He excels in the read option game and can make people miss in space. He can line up at receiver, running back and find the green grass showing off his speed in the process. It's why major Power Five schools like Tennessee, Pitt and Boston College have already offered him.    NATION FORD FALCONS   [player_tooltip player_id='1575429' first='Josh' last='Ameo'], WR, 2025   Ameo is tall and lanky and can go up and make a jump ball catch for a touchdown. He is a speedster once he gets out into the open field. He is also a difference maker on special teams. He had 1437 all purpose yards and 23 touchdowns in 2023. The multi-sport athlete is currently committed to play lacrosse at High Point University. Ameo will have returning senior quarterback Kaden Barnette throwing it to him. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1734443' first='Jayden' last='Scott'] at receiver as well.    NORTHWESTERN TROJANS   [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] QB, 2025   The Trojans will have one of the top quarterbacks in the state back in 2024. Polk threw for 2902 yards and 38 touchdowns, averaging 223.2 yards per game last year. He can make all the throws, short and long and excels in an offense from head coach Page Wofford that wants to spread it out and get it to the playmakers. The Trojans' leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='753896' first='Jayden' last='Nichols'] returns. He had 48 receptions for 620 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023.    ROCK HILL BEARCATS   [player_tooltip player_id='1012834' first='Malik' last='Clark'] WR, 2025   Clark (pictured above) is one of the top receivers in the state and the country and has offers from all over the place from Florida State to Ole Miss, just to name a few. He is a threat on the outside with his size and can score anytime the ball is in his hands. He has great speed and can stack opposing defenders as well. Throw in quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='809751' first='Ian' last='Grissom'] who threw for 2904 yards and 37 touchdowns, who transferred to Rock Hill from Lewisville in April and there is potential for the Bearcats to light up the scoreboards this fall.

Region III-5A will feature more teams central to York and Lancaster Counties with Catawba Ridge, Indian Land and Northwestern joining the fold in 2024. The group of guys in this region all possess speed and athleticism. All the teams have a great supporting cast that made picking some MVPs a bit more challenging. But rest assured you'll be hearing about all of them throughout the year when the season kicks off on August 23.