PRZVA Team Preview: Saint Michael The Archangel

***Use code frederick30 for 30% off your first billing cycle for all annual subscription options***   Last Years Result: 4-6 (Saint Michaels plays in the VISAA Freelance League)   The Saint Michaels Warriors finished their 2023 on a 3 game losing streak to end up with a 4-6 record. That is deceiving as the Warriors play a tough independent schedule against some of the best teams in all of Virginia. Head Coach Hugh Brown and his staff have a host of FBS level starters returning, and a number of transfers looking to make an immediate impact.   Key-Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1297679' first='Matt' last='Holland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230156' first='Nahshon' last='Wilson'], Alex Keene-Forbes Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='1228325' first='Remington' last='Moss'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231287' first='Joshua' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230265' first='Max' last='Gardner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1232444' first='Shawn' last='Turner Jr.'], [player_tooltip player_id='853884' first='Deionte' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1338507' first='Jonathan' last='Barnett']    Wilson is a dynamic quarterback that should be FBS bound come 2025. Starting for the Warriors the past two seasons, Wilson has navigated a brutal schedule and come out of it stronger. Once again as a junior Wilson was the team's most valuable player offensively and with the amount of weapons he has returning and incoming his statistics could double.   Two division one offers from Akron and Howard University so far, this kid will have one of the many power 5 schools interested come calling soon.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/NahshonZWilson/status/1768061534033355075 </div></figure>     Ranked 71st overall in the class of 2026, [player_tooltip player_id='853884' first='Deionte' last='Johnson'] was just recently named a team captain for the Warriors. That goes to show you when a junior is named team captain how highly his teammates and coaches must think of the young man.   Johnson is a big body target at 6'2 and 180 lbs. he should pick up more Division 1 offers with a monster junior season. I expect him to be one of Saint Michael's highest stock risers after this season is completed.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DeionteJohnso13/status/1667653596060561409 </div></figure>     Coming in from Gar-Field High School as a transfer a year ago, linebacker Alex Keene-Forbes Jr. has acquitted himself nicely. Defensively he is a fast instinctive backer that can rush the passer and set the edge.   Heading into his senior season I expect Keene-Forbes to anchor the middle of the Warriors defense. He has the speed and instincts to be the middle linebacker in 2024.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KeeneAlex28/status/1703507759319162968 </div></figure>     The Wisconsin bound Moss is the highest ranked defensive back in Virginia and one of the top prospects in the country. He returns for his final season after committing to the Badgers right before his junior campaign. Despite many other schools pinning for him, Moss stay committed to Wisconsin even with the coaching change.   A lockdown corner who looks like he can play right away, it would not be shocked if he enrolled early at Madison and was on your television set playing smash mouth Big Ten Football in 2025.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/21Remy__/status/1721293134401876033 </div></figure>     Max Danilo Gardner had 42 receptions with 6 scores as a junior and figure to have a major role with the Warriors offense in 2024. Gardner is a very good route runner and knows how to box out defenders for any 50/50 ball heading his way. He has a long deceptive stride too, I can see why would be a matchup problem.   <a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1230265' first='Max' last='Gardner'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1230265' first='Max' last='Gardner'] HUDL</a>     Perhaps a bit of a sleeper is rising senior [player_tooltip player_id='1231287' first='Joshua' last='Jackson'] who is starting to pick up offers as we speak. A hybrid edge rusher/outside linebacker really like this young man when he rushes the passer. He is explosive right off the snap and is not going to be outrun if a quarterback tries to get to the outside.   A good productive senior campaign should lead him to FCS or higher opportunities, he is clearly being slept on.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/warriorfbsmhs/status/1800210318381224122 </div></figure>     Another target for Wilson who appears to be division 1 bound is receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1338507' first='Jonathan' last='Barnett']. One of the fastest kids on Saint Michael's roster, Barnett is a mix of size and speed for the Warriors. He is the type of wideout with his ridiculous speed that can take a simple out route and go the distance. Saint Francis University will not be the only school to offer him before season's end.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/warriorfbsmhs/status/1806676192558211545 </div></figure>    Key-Newcomers: [player_tooltip player_id='1297880' first='Tyson' last='Woods'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235448' first='Tyler' last='Owens'],, [player_tooltip player_id='358211' first='Marcus' last='Ferguson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297883' first='Pharez' last='Sanders'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297904' first='Austin' last='Mawyer']    The all-region safety enrolled this past spring [player_tooltip player_id='1297880' first='Tyson' last='Woods'] is ready to make an impact with his new school. By all accounts he is adjusting nicely and since reclassifying has garnered interest from many colleges. Here is what I wrote about him in May:   Woods will play his last two years to one of the top football teams in the state. While I will miss covering him locally (I live in Prince William County FYI) the Warriors adding this playmaker will only help their loaded defensive backfield. While he did not record an interception last year, he had 6 pass break ups and 73 tackles, playing alongside [player_tooltip player_id='1228325' first='Remington' last='Moss']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/remington-moss-2/"></a> , Woods will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skills.     [player_tooltip player_id='358211' first='Marcus' last='Ferguson'] Jr. was one of the best running backs I watch play last fall, and he will be a great addition to the Warriors offense. Looking for more notice and exposure, Ferguson announced his transfer intention this past spring. A powerful quick back who never goes down on first contact, playing behind a stellar offensive line should give him plenty of opportunities. Similar to Woods, he also reclassified and is sky rocketing up colleges wish list.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/marcusjr_07/status/1722750748365111582 </div></figure>     Sanders played well as a sophomore for the Red Wolves in 2023 and I expect an even bigger leap from him as a Junior. Playing in a tough Cardinal District, [player_tooltip player_id='1297883' first='Pharez' last='Sanders'] never flinched and was a mean run blocker which should give his future teammates reassurance.   A good pass blocker too, Sanders is in the perfect position to start getting looks from schools across the country.      Coach thoughts on the off-season:   “This past offseason has been one of the best in the short history of the football program. We've added some key coaches to our staff with decades of experience. Our strength and conditioning coach, Kyaer Lee, has been the difference maker for our team over the past 3 years. Some of our seniors have had the privilege of working with Coach Ky for 2 or more seasons and we can definitely see everything unfolding the way we hoped. We look forward to the challenges of our schedule. Our 2023 schedule had to be hands down the toughest in the state. We learned lessons, both on and off the field. The returners this year will absolutely be battle tested, and though we may not have some of the "big name" teams on the horizon, we definitely can say that this year's schedule is no less competitive. We are excited to face teams with such history and we know that every week will be a heavyweight bout.” Assistant Head Coach DJ Palmer   Season Outlook:   The talent and buy in is there for the Warriors to have a bounce back season. [player_tooltip player_id='1230156' first='Nahshon' last='Wilson'] is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. The key will be how all the new additions adapt to their surroundings. Saint Michaels has a lot of moving parts and navigating through all of them can be tricky. I expect them to be among the best in VISAA just like they were two seasons ago.

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