PRZVA Team Preview: Monticello Mustangs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Years Result: 8-3 (Fell to Spotswood in Region C Quarterfinals Class 3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest turnarounds in all of the state of Virginia was the Monticello Mustangs. Going 1-9 in 2022 Head Coach Matt Hicks squad went 8-3 last fall and are trending upwards. Plenty of talent returns for the Mustangs faithful that has them set on a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key-Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1194813' first='Owen' last='Engel'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231343' first='Ezekiel' last='Pour'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231587' first='Michael' last='Zaney'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235022' first='D'rhon' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1177772' first='Brayden' last='Rettig'], [player_tooltip player_id='1233325' first='Zayden' last='Simpson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1232822' first='Tyberius' last='Woodson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1398713' first='Oziel' last='Jara Castillo'], [player_tooltip player_id='1321238' first='Vaughn' last='Conlon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1194813"],"_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-66c6954842459"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Under center for a third year will be All-Jefferson District honorable mention selection [player_tooltip player_id='1194813' first='Owen' last='Engel']. A rising senior Engel has progressed each season for the Mustangs and looks poised to lead them on a deep playoff run this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mobile passer who has two division 3 offers already, I like his moxie in the pocket. Good size kid too at 6'3 and 185 lbs., it appears his recruiting is just taking off and rightfully so. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/OwenEngel12/status/1816553220052857074","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/OwenEngel12/status/1816553220052857074 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1231343"],"_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-66c69548424ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have been high on the Mustangs workhorse star running back for a while, I broke down my thoughts below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The All Central Valley running back&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231343' first='Ezekiel' last='Pour']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ezekiel-pour/"></a>&nbsp;had 1,100 rushing yards as a junior but his college future may be at defensive back. A shifty back who just needs a little daylight to go the distance, but defensively at corner he is lockdown. Our 38th ranked athlete in the state, I could see Pour playing multiple positions at FCS level.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since we last wrote on him Pour has been focused on leading Monticello on what they began his junior season. Between him and Engle alone this offense will be fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1231587"],"_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-66c69548424fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1231587' first='Michael' last='Zaney'] is the big play threat the Mustangs need and he is progressing at a rapid pace. 6'5 with good athleticism, Zaney is still learning the game as he has been a basketball star at Monticello prior. Look for his senior year to get him attention from colleges for both sports, he could have a great year. Add in the fact that his 205 lbs. of muscle and bolsters a 3.9 GPA, time for schools to take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1368022"],"_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-66c6954842537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Honorable mention All district honors as a junior D'rhon Turk Jackson is 6'2 and 200 lbs. Jackson is another one who caught my colleague Cole Laing's attention at the Central Virginia Combine back in May. Since then he has received an offer from Hampton-Sydney College and Mount Union which both would be great fits for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/certified_t45/status/1813616041744036038","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/certified_t45/status/1813616041744036038 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1177772"],"_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-66c6954842572"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best defensive linemen in the state is still uncommitted and that may not matter much heading into his senior year. [player_tooltip player_id='1177772' first='Brayden' last='Rettig'] is impressive off the edge both against the run and the pass, he is a tough block. An offer from UVA-Wise back in April are not doing this kid justice, he is 6'3 and still growing. Totaling 5 sacks as a junior, Rettig could easily double his sack total in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BraydenRettig/status/1776055538293313672","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/BraydenRettig/status/1776055538293313672 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1233325"],"_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-66c69548425ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Really fun player to watch on both sides of the ball is [player_tooltip player_id='1233325' first='Zayden' last='Simpson'] this rising senior makes plays especially on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At receiver he is a big sure handed target but at defensive back he is a game wrecker. First team all district selection for his work on defense as a junior, Simpson just picked up an offer from Roanoke College. Trust me when I tell you that he will play at the next level, the key may be which sport as he is a three sport start for the Mustangs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1233325' first='Zayden' last='Simpson']s HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1233325' first='Zayden' last='Simpson']s HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1232822"],"_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-66c69548425e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 6'2 200 lb. tight end/hback sign me up for 10 [player_tooltip player_id='1232822' first='Tyberius' last='Woodson']'s on my roster, this dude does it all. Very underrated weapon for the Mustangs Woodson has some wheels for his size too. I enjoy when Engel dumps off a checkdown pass to him and lets Woodson do the rest, the young man can really move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="[player_tooltip player_id='1232822' first='Tyberius' last='Woodson'] HUDL">[player_tooltip player_id='1232822' first='Tyberius' last='Woodson'] HUDL</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1321238"],"_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-66c793e1d24bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I asked Coach Hicks about some of younger players he specifically mentioned his long snapper [player_tooltip player_id='1321238' first='Vaughn' last='Conlon']. The varsity long snapper as a sophomore is already attracting attention from colleges across the east coast with his ability to snap the pigskin. All of his snaps are nearly perfect, you should expect to see him long snapping in college. Conlon will have a bigger role on the offensive and defensive line heading into his junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VaughnConlon/status/1801476799605453047","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/VaughnConlon/status/1801476799605453047 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->