PRZVA Team Preview: Fairfax Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use code <strong>frederick30</strong> for 30% off your first billing cycle for all annual subscription</em> <em>options</em>***</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result:</strong> 9-4 (Fell to Lake Braddock in the Class 6 Region C Finals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the guidance of Head Coach Trey Taylor and his staff, the Fairfax Lions have had a strong resurgence which has lead them to be one of the top teams in Northern Virginia these past few seasons. While Coach Taylor's squad graduated a lot from last year's region finalist team, the Lions are rebuilding on the fly with some key transfers hoping to contribute. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297914' first='Harry' last='Maltese'], [player_tooltip player_id='1349357' first='Nate' last='Guckenberger'], [player_tooltip player_id='853783' first='Davon' last='Tolson Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='1349361' first='Travis' last='McClain']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1349363"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3ac69d4053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'] can make you pay with his speed and hands, totaling 500 yards of offense as a junior, he is due for a bigger role. Do not let his size fool you, [player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'] is a baller and has been for the past couple of seasons in Fairfax.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He will be a nice security blanket for Mrad and his defensive back work is not to be ignored. A tough corner who displays great footwork, he is hard to complete a pass on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1349357"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3ac69d40c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First team all district punter and second team all region kicker, [player_tooltip player_id='1349357' first='Nate' last='Guckenberger'] is one of the best specialists in the county. Guckenberger has kicked from 50 yards out and could go even further this fall, he will be booting a pigskin in college I can assure you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Squatting over 400 lbs. he has tremendous power in his lower body and has been working on his craft this off-season. It would not shock me in the slightest if he was punting or kicking at the division 2 level very soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/NateGuck12/status/1592253186898857985","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NateGuck12/status/1592253186898857985 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1349361"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3ac69d410b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Why Fairfax may be in a bit of a rebuild on offense, defensively they do have some studs back including [player_tooltip player_id='1349361' first='Travis' last='McClain']. Second team all-district as a junior the potential for McClain is very high, he is a bull at defensive tackle for the Lions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is a sure fire strength for Fairfax in 2024, McClain will look to go out on a high note and should have ample amount of opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1349361' first='Travis' last='McClain'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1349361' first='Travis' last='McClain'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297914"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3ac69d414c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1297914' first='Harry' last='Maltese'] is part of a really strong 2026 group for Coach Taylor, one that Coach was really high during our interview. At linebacker Maltese has started the better part of the last two years, currently he ranks 40th overall at his position. He is a stud at 5'11 and 215 lbs. tough to block this dude in the open field without him making you look silly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poised for a bigger role on offense, he runs the ball well and with authority, similar to how Kristopher Jones did last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HarryMaltese/status/1804947073239781750","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HarryMaltese/status/1804947073239781750 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853783"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3ac69d418b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='853783' first='Davon' last='Tolson Jr.'] is set to dominate the Patriot conference this fall here is what I wrote about him back in June:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Fairfax Lions have one of the most underrated hidden gems in defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='853783' first='Davon' last='Tolson Jr.']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/davon-tolson-jr/"></a> , he is good! Earning second team all conference honors for both his work at defensive end and offensive guard, Tolson is a pit bull. Playing big than his size 5'11 and 230 lbs., he is typically pancaking defenders down the field with the Lions strong run game.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Newcomers: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'], [player_tooltip player_id='1304709' first='Ethan' last='Lynch'], Clayton Smith, Joaquin Manja</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198378"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3c8ecaf6c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you are worried about the Lions offense with the number of graduates, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'] being in the fold should ease your concerns. Second team all district as a Junior playing for Skyline in 2023, Mrad's transfer is one of the biggest moves in the county. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highly touted and with an offer from McDaniel College already, [player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'] is going to be the focal point of the Lions offense. A dual threat lefty with a cannon, Fairfax fans should be excited as he just reaching his potential. Playing a tough schedule is nothing new for this young man, what will be new is the entertainment he will bring to the Lions faithful.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1304709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a3c8ecaf718"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1304709' first='Ethan' last='Lynch'] will be in line to make heads turn in 2024, a quick little running back who the coaching staff is very high on. Transferring in from Saint Michaels Lynch can hit the lane and take off, shows a lot of explosion on tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running close to a 4.4 forty, the rising junior should figure nicely into the Lions offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1304709' first='Ethan' last='Lynch'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1304709' first='Ethan' last='Lynch'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach thoughts on the off-season:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>“Has been a good off season.  Will be a young team, but returning 4 sophomores who started both ways on a region runner up team last year.  Will be a tough schedule again with the Patriot District being a very tough road.” </em>Head Coach Trey Taylor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be a tough transition for the Lions, Coach Taylor is right the Patriot District is a tough road ahead. What benefits Fairfax before they take on Lake Braddock, South County and West Springfield is their early season schedule. Games 1-3 should be winnable and just like last year they could be undefeated heading into their showdown with Stallions. You get a sense that this is a playoff team right now but in two years is when they will be serious state title contenders. That may sound nice to some but seniors like [player_tooltip player_id='1198378' first='Nick' last='Mrad'], [player_tooltip player_id='1349361' first='Travis' last='McClain'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1349363' first='Penn' last='Morris'] do not care to wait. One of the best coached teams in the state will not go away quietly, expect another fun competitive season in Fairfax.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>If you are looking to subscribe please feel free to use my coupon code Frederick30 for a 30 % discount!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->