PRZVA Team Preview: Gar-Field Red Wolves

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last year's result: 4-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gar-Field Red Wolves compete in the Cardinal District and finished 4-6 last season. With two games remaining they were in prime position to get back to the postseason but losses to Patriot and cross-town rival Woodbridge ended their dreams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First year Head Coach Zac Edmunds takes over with what looks to be a playoff ready team out in Woodbridge. Competing in a region that saw a lot of staff turnover the Red Wolves have a nice nucleus back in the fold. While Coach Edmunds squad was hurt by graduation and transfers, Gar-Field does posses a good abundant of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Returnees:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1230173' first='Germaine' last='Gillion'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1230210' first='James' last='Blacker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230178' first='Herman' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1334234' first='Tre' last='Walden'], [player_tooltip player_id='734908' first='Erik' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='853095' first='Troy' last='Hamlin'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1231523' first='Jarius' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='1234358' first='Marquise' last='Carroll']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230173"],"_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-669669be56e3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up is all league corner and punt returner [player_tooltip player_id='1230173' first='Germaine' last='Gillion'] who can be a dynamic weapon. For those not keeping up the all star picked up his first division 1 offer this past April.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GillionGermaine/status/1785415177308963048","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/GillionGermaine/status/1785415177308963048 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230178"],"_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-669669be56e9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1230178' first='Herman' last='Jackson'] was one of the best running backs I saw in 2023 and he is bound for more attention from colleges coaches entering his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Such a quiet competitor would not know if you talked to him that he was a first team all district running back, but that's what makes him so much more impressive. He has great explosion with the football and good vision. When the offense was humming best for Gar-Field occurred typically with Jackson carrying the load, a big senior season will lead to him playing college football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Hermanjackson_5/status/1722453246030037302","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/Hermanjackson_5/status/1722453246030037302 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230210"],"_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-669669be56ee3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1230210' first='James' last='Blacker'] is set to be the backbone of what should be one of the top defenses in the district. Picking up his first offer from VMI the rising senior picked off three passes last year on his way to earning First Team all district honors. Blacker should figure into many more division 1 offers with his 3.7 GPA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JamesBlacker21/status/1801030159149027454","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/JamesBlacker21/status/1801030159149027454 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853095"],"_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-669669be56f22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more underrated stars from the Cardinal district was [player_tooltip player_id='853095' first='Troy' last='Hamlin'] last fall. Hamlin stepped in multiple positions as a sophomore including receiver, corner and even quarterback, the young man is a versatile star. Their are many reasons why he is ranked in our top 100 prospects overall and one of them being how he handles the big moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Case in point when Gar-Field was trailing Forest Park late in the game, Hamlin stepped in for an injured [player_tooltip player_id='1334234' first='Tre' last='Walden'] at quarterback and lead a wild comeback. Throwing two 60 plus yard passes in the final minutes, the junior to be lead the Red Wolves to a stunning victory. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A basketball star as well, it will be curious to see where he lines up offensively for Coach Edmunds this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734908"],"_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-669669be56f5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 16th ranked prospect out of 2027 class linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='734908' first='Erik' last='Nelson'] is a good one. The praise has been reaped heavy already here is what I wrote last month:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>As a freshman in a tough Cardinal District, Nelson stepped in almost immediately racking in 64 tackles. He has size and very good speed, I like the way he covers backs you do not see that often for his age group. With the departure of standout safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297880' first='Tyson' last='Woods']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyson-woods-2/"></a> , it will be interesting to see how he takes on more of a leadership role this fall. The Red Wolves despite their losses should be a playoff contender again, with this young man healthy and eager it is certainly a good start.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1334233' first='Giovanni' last='King Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1146646' first='Caleb' last='Clemons']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1146646"],"_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-669669be56f96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Getting linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1146646' first='Caleb' last='Clemons'] into the fold is huge as the rising sophomore has state championship experience under his belt. Not only that he should complement Nelson quite well to form a scary linebacker duo in Dale City. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clemons played for the state title Freedom Eagles as a freshmen, he transferred to Gar-Field this past winter. He plays both the run and pass well, look for him on any blitz Clemons hits you with pure force. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1334233"],"_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-669669be56fce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Having Giovanni Cooper back along the defensive line is a big win for the Red Wolves. Not playing the past two years due to injuries Cooper is back healthy and determined for a good senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can clog running lanes and rush the passer very well at defensive tackle. Getting off the ball with a low base, you can see his strength pop out on tape. A productive motivated Cooper may be just what Gar-Field's defense to go from good to great. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach's Thoughts on the offseason:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>I'm very excited about the upcoming season, the transition into the HC role has been pretty smooth. Building the program has certainly been a lot of work but the kids are buying in and embracing the grind. We really want them to embrace their identity as Dale City/Gar-Field kids, by being tough, physical, and accountable.  I think most people know the talent we have, the challenge is learning to play the game the right way and building a winning culture. I'm excited for the season, can't get here soon enough.</em>" Head Coach Zach Edmunds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gar-Field is competing once again in a conference full of talent and parody. There should not be 1 clear cut favorite to win the Cardinal District as opposed to the last few seasons. In my opinion matchups against reigning playoff teams Gainesville and Battlefield in weeks 2 and 3, will go a long way to see whether or not the Red Wolves can return to the post season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Click here to claim your profile <a href="http://here/">https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a>. If you are looking for an evaluation feel free to reach out to us on twitter <strong>@carljfred</strong> or my co-worker <strong>@Golions1934</strong>. Please give us a follow on the Prepredzone Virginia page <strong>@PrepRedzoneVA</strong> and will continue our positive momentum to being the top site in Prepredzone!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->