PRZVA Team Preview: George C. Marshall Statesmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result: 5-5 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Statesmen were one of the hottest teams in Northern Virginia in 2023 towards the end of the season. Unfortunately it was not quite enough as they just missed out on the playoffs with their 5-5 record. Still the have quite a bit back from last fall's squad and are looking for another National District Title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1157493' first='Peyton' last='Lubbe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1298616' first='Michael' last='Spriggs'], Jihwan Randy Park, [player_tooltip player_id='1230206' first='Carter' last='Oketunji'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230254' first='Oliver' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231240' first='Mohamed' last='Ali Elmrabet'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231295' first='Ethan' last='Lebkisher'], [player_tooltip player_id='1400937' first='Kevin' last='Aleman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1400939' first='Josh' last='Paine']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1157493"],"_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-66c8dd495ba74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Statesmen get a big boost offensively with the return of a healthy [player_tooltip player_id='1157493' first='Peyton' last='Lubbe']. At wide receiver he is a technician at route running and can make you miss a bit with his good footwork. A good blocker downfield Lubbe will lower the boom on each reception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 3.75 GPA he always makes play in their secondary, he could lead the district in interceptions this fall. Healthy and ready for his opportunity, expect a big final season for Lubbe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Plubbe12/status/1718118812095070284","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/Plubbe12/status/1718118812095070284 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298616"],"_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-66c8dd495bacd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1298616' first='Michael' last='Spriggs'] is back at quarterback as he enters his junior season. Looks good on tape throws a nice deep ball and is quite accurate, he is prime for a big leap in 2024. Having Lubbe back healthy should only help, this kid is legit, I expect a big season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Mike_Spriggs008/status/1827136966246170864","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/Mike_Spriggs008/status/1827136966246170864 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1322180],"_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-66c8dd495bb0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you don't know yet George C. Marshall has an all star kicker in four star recruit Jihwan Randy Park. My co-worker Cole Lainge explained it best below, the young man has a cannon for a leg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Rising senior who is the kicker and punter for Marshall High School. He has a powerful leg and can kick the ball through the end zone on kickoffs. Solid accuracy as a field goal kicker and shows good poise under pressure.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><a href="https://x.com/randypark_217" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a>&nbsp;/&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18222513/jihwan-randy-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X</a></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1230206"],"_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-66c8dd495bb70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top ranked athlete for the Staesmen is cornerback/running back [player_tooltip player_id='1230206' first='Carter' last='Oketunji']. Ranked 91st overall in the class of 2025 Oketunji is one of the best uncommitted talents in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a ballhawk in Marshall's secondary where he earned second team All Liberty district honors. Not bad offensively carrying the football for 7 touchdowns. His best bet at the next level will be defensively for him in my opinion. Nonetheless, Vic Castillo our regional director is right, he is one the best unoffered kids in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CarterMich90452/status/1764671308976046338","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/CarterMich90452/status/1764671308976046338 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1231295"],"_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-66c8dd495bbb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1231295' first='Ethan' last='Lebkisher'] is strong and stout upfront for the Statesmen. Ranked among the top defensive lineman in his class, one of the stronger kids on tape I have watched. Earning first team all district honors for his work along the defensive line, it appears he is moving to linebacker this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will be curious to see how this goes as he does have the speed and awareness to make the transition. Either way, he is another reason why you can feel good about Marshal's defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ethan_Leby/status/1744561178108477864","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/Ethan_Leby/status/1744561178108477864 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1231240"],"_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-66c8dd495bbf7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elmrabet looks like a kid poised for a major jump heading into his senior season. Second team all district at defensive end last fall, he is a specimen at 6'2 and 190 lbs.. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young man can move off the football, very long and athletic, watch his fumble recovery for a touchdown below you'll see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ali_elm19/status/1723937987992392043","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/ali_elm19/status/1723937987992392043 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1400937"],"_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-66c8dd495bc30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1400937' first='Kevin' last='Aleman'] is a physical man, I like what he did on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. One of their inside linebackers he is strong and powerful at the point of attack. On offense he runs north/south with good vision and of course lowers his shoulder. Looks like the type of runner that will leave defenders in pain from just trying to tackle him. A big year is expected for Aleman, he should have plenty of opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1400939"],"_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-66c8dd495bc68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another rising junior expected to have a bigger role this fall is [player_tooltip player_id='1400939' first='Josh' last='Paine']. Looks like he is a strong safety and offensively at receiver and running back. He should be on the backend of this defense, which again is going to be one of the best in the Liberty district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->