PRZVA Team Preview: Lewis Lancers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are weeks away from pre-season camp and the VHSL is in store for another exciting season. Each day (hopefully) I plan to write a team preview and first up in this installment are the Lewis Lancers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last years result: 3-7 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The John Lewis Lancers have been taking significant strides each season under Head Coach Larry Choates. Improving each season, Coach Choates enters his 4th year leading the way coming off the Lancers best season in nearly a decade. Finishing 3-7 in a competitive National District and with a batch of key returning starters and newcomers, could this be the year the Lancers get back to the postseason?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Returnees</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LT *[player_tooltip player_id='1334058' first='Bryan' last='Cantarero-Sales'] SR, C,LB [player_tooltip player_id='1333064' first='Laith' last='Sbitan'] SR, DB,WR [player_tooltip player_id='1333059' first='Jonathan' last='Salinas'] SR, DE,OL [player_tooltip player_id='1069071' first='Dylan' last='Nguyen'] JR, QB,LB *[player_tooltip player_id='1334068' first='Reynaldo' last='Linares'] JR, DB, WR [player_tooltip player_id='1334072' first='George' last='Morris'] JR, KR,WR,DB *[player_tooltip player_id='1333038' first='Joel' last='Smith'] SO</strong>, <strong>WR</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1334062' first='Jamal' last='Sesay']</strong> <strong>SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1069071"],"_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-66951f75b81f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1069071' first='Dylan' last='Nguyen'] is really coming into his own and is name to watch for our Class of 2026. Honorable Mention last year as a sophomore the kid has a bright future at defensive end for the Lancers. He is strong and nimble off the edge that is starting to get on college scouts radars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DylanNguyen2026/status/1799611820971590004","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/DylanNguyen2026/status/1799611820971590004 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333064"],"_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-66951f75b826c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing both middle linebacker and center Sbitan figures to become one the leaders of this team. The Lancers graduated a number of seniors and Sbitan is perfect to step into a leadership role. <br>On the line he commands the huddle at the line of scrimmage but where he has a chance at the next level is linebacker. He has solid size and speed plus his strength is on par with some of the better linebackers in the county. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333038"],"_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-66951f75b82bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Do not let his size fool you, all district selection as a freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1333038' first='Joel' last='Smith'] is the real deal. He can a variety of things from catching passes, locking down wideouts and taking kickoffs to the house. Remember this name in 2024, here is what I wrote back in January:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Freshman sensation and honorable mention Kickoff Returner&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333038' first='Joel' last='Smith']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/joel-smith/"></a>&nbsp;has a chance to be special for Coach Choates and the Lewis Lancers. An electric playmaker at defensive back, I can see him having a big impact offensively for the Lancers next fall too.&nbsp; The young man can flat out fly and his size is deceptive making it very difficult to bring him down in the open field. At corner you have to really love the way he competes and he held his own this past fall going up against some top wideouts in the conference. The young man is set to be many people's radars soon, I would be surprised if teams stop kicking it to him as well.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>http://www.hudl.com/v/2MFPxV</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Newcomers:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I<strong>saiah Robinson SO, DB, WR [player_tooltip player_id='1334076' first='Dallas' last='Hicks'] JR, TE [player_tooltip player_id='1333079' first='Yodahe' last='Didi'] JR, RB,LB [player_tooltip player_id='1333075' first='Angel' last='Alberto'] SR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333075"],"_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-66951f75b8305"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alberto has an opportunity as a senior to make an impact particularly on offense for Coach Choates. He is a good route runner who is not afraid to use his shoulder pads, he can be a nice second option behind [player_tooltip player_id='1333038' first='Joel' last='Smith'] offensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1333079"],"_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-66951f75b834b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In terms of newcomers and stock this kid fits the bill, really like what I have seen so far out of Tight End [player_tooltip player_id='1333079' first='Yodahe' last='Didi']. He has a good frame and looks bigger than his listed height at 6'0, he will be a nice target for the Lancers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking at his limited tape he seems to have a good grasp of the offense and can find holes in coverage. I would expect him to make a big leap this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/YodaheDidi/status/1792000623023440000","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/YodaheDidi/status/1792000623023440000 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach Thoughts on the offseason:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"We had many of our rising Junior class involved on the Varsity Level last season.  We have 15 Juniors and 10 have started or played significantly in Varsity games last season.  We are hoping for big things from them.  We also had some coaching changes; our OC got the Head Job at OP and some assistants have gone. Our Program has adjusted and brought in some new quality assistant coaches.  We had over 20 players in our program who had a 3.5 or better at the end of the season.  We had 2 players accepted and 1 attended the American Legion Virginia Boys State in June. So, we are working hard in the classroom along with working hard on the field. Our program is excited to compete in our district this season."</em> <strong>Head Coach Larry Choates </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lewis seems really poised to make a push in the National District, they were maybe 2-3 plays away from finishing 5-5 last season, perhaps this year a few bounces fall their way? Their schedule is not brutal but it will be important how they fare from weeks 2-5 before conference play begins. If they are around or above .500 after that, then you can bet on seeing the Lancers in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team by team previews are officially underway if you are looking to become a member, please subscribe and use my Coupon code (frederick30) for a 30 percent discount. </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 -->