2025 Preview: Mountain View Prep Stars

52 times.   When Mountain View Prep head coach Grey Ramsey went back and looked at last year's Upper State Championship loss against Belton Honea Path to end an 11-1 inaugural season for the Stars in 2024, that's how many times he said that they did not execute.    “It was something that we didn't do on our own. So I thought it was ironic that the number was 52, because of 52 weeks in a year. So we want 52 weeks, you know, if we fast forward a year forward and we get another opportunity to be in an upper state championship game, that every day, we're focused on trying to be a team that cares about the details and that we're the most disciplined. And sometimes they begin to see it, but how you win championship games is you're a great student from 8AM to 3PM. You care about the details. Your locker room is clean, how you treat your girlfriend, how you treat your mom, how you treat each other, how you spend time together. Those are the things that will help them win that football game. They sometimes probably lose sight of that. Who doesn't at 16, 17, 18 years old? Man, Coach, I'm just going to go bully the guy, where I'm going to execute within this play, but to win championship ball games, this group has the talent.   With the 2025 season opener against Atlantic Collegiate Academy on the horizon on August 22 on the road in Myrtle Beach, Ramsey believes he has a team that could make another deep run.   I've been very fortunate enough as a coach to win state championships. My time at Chapman, (and) to win big ball games at the 5A level at Spartanburg. I've never had a team this talented. That doesn't guarantee us anything. They have to be the group that starts to take pride in all other aspects, growing socially, growing emotionally, growing spiritually, growing academically. And when they do that, they've got every chance to be the group that will be remembered for a long time at our school,” Ramsey said.   The biggest question that the Stars will have to address is who will be the starting quarterback? They have three quarterbacks competing for the job: [player_tooltip player_id='1337021' first='Brody' last='Judd'] and Makorean Anderson, who transferred to MVP from Dorman. We'll have more on the third one below. Ramsey told us that the determining factors will be who takes care of the ball and allows the skill guys to go out and make plays.    The Stars entire offensive line is back, beginning with Daniel Benson at left tackle, [player_tooltip player_id='1271261' first='Brayden' last='Everette'] at right tackle who Ramsey says is their most prototypical size offensive linemen. Wyatt Settle is back at guard after battling injuries in 2024 and Zach Watson at the other guard spot. Ramsey is excited about being able to expand on what they did last year offensively and be more explosive.   On defense, Ramsey is excited about the defensive line with C.J. Lovelace returning. Jesse Beckwith is back at linebacker after missing the majority of the season after suffering an injury against St. Joseph's last season.   STARS SET TO SHINE   AJ McAlister ATH, 2026 – McAlister is the third guy in the running to be the starting quarterback for the Stars in 2025. He is coming off labrum surgery this offseason and was all over the field in 2024. His biggest impact last year was at safety, where he could diagnose plays quickly and come in and make tackles before the ball carrier could really build momentum and get going.   McAlister on expectations heading into the 2025 season: “It's go time and (we're) learning from last year and we don't want the same mistakes that we had last year to be what we have this year. We want things to change and to be more physical. We've got to run out there and be 100% no matter what.”   Ramsey on McAlister: “If you come to a MVP game, you'll see the number seven in a lot of different places. The ball's in his hand, he's probably going to be on defense, has the opportunity to be our quarterback and if that's not the case, he's probably carrying it in some capacity. AJ is a phenomenal leader for our program. He's someone that has really been a great addition to our program, and as you start a new school, you need kids that do things the right way, and if they work hard and AJ's the epitome of the type of kid that you want as a coach.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734594' first='Jacobie' last='Smith'] WR/DB, 2026 – The All-Region performer returns for his senior year with 73 tackles on defense and 19 pass breakups. He can come down in the box in run support or patrol the middle of the field and make plays on the ball. He's also an impact player on special teams as well.   Smith on expectations heading into the 2025 season: “(We want to) fix our mistakes from last year, you know what I'm saying? Think about small details and all that. I feel like since we've got a bunch of new people we have to come together as a team and play together.”   Ramsey on Smith: I told people the entire year (and) I truly believe this, I think Jacobie's our best football player on the field. He can do so many things for us. This is a big statement, so I don't like to always make comparisons of college levels and pro levels. He'll be our version of Travis Hunter this year. Jacobie's going to play on offense for us, too. We want to be able to get him in positions to make plays on the offensive side.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1395046' first='KD' last='Hainsworth'] WR, 2026 – The UNC Charlotte commit (pictured above) heads into his senior year after an explosive 2024. He is the leader of the receiver room and is a downfield threat every time the ball is in his hands. He had 903 yards and 18 touchdowns through nine games at one point last year. Ramsey expects his role in the offense to evolve this year.   Hainsworth on winding down the summer and heading into the fall: “I feel like it's competing. Everybody wants to go out there and play 7-on-7 but when it's time to put pads on, it gets different. Nobody wants to be out there in August and September in the hot practices in full pads.”   Ramsey on Hainsworth: What a phenomenal football player. What a phenomenal human being and young man, (I'm) really excited for him and his opportunity at the next level. KD had a great year last year. I say great's probably an understatement. He had an elite year. I think KD's going to do some things in the state this year that people haven't seen before, and we're excited to get him that opportunity.   FILM REVIEW   Jet Hodge DL, 2026 – The one word that came to mind when we turned on his tape is disruptive. Hodge is around the football at all times and has a motor that is always running. He will not stop until he's at the ball carrier. He makes good form tackles and attacks the line of scrimmage well, as it's difficult for opposing lineman to keep track of him. Ramsey says he is smart and knows where he needs to be.    KEY LOSSES   Jaylen McGill RB – McGill reclassified from the class of 2026 to the class of 2025 and plans to enroll at the University of North Carolina this fall.   Eli Smith LB – Smith was an All-State linebacker, who the Stars will look to replace after an active senior season for the Stars.   UP AND COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1809282' first='Savion' last='Booker'] ATH, 2027 – Booker transferred in from nearby Boiling Springs and Ramsey is excited about what he can bring to the offensive side of the ball. It will be interesting to see how that develops as the 2025 season progresses.    Hayden Agnew WR, 2026 – Agnew is another guy that Ramsey mentioned who was an impact player on special teams for the Stars last year. He will transition to more of a role at receiver on offense in 2025.    Lewis is a returning defensive lineman who could turn some heads in 2025. He is an effective pass rusher who can get after the quarterback and has the discipline you need at the position.

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