Five St. Mary’s Impact Players Returning Next Season.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, we take a closer look at the top five players who make the Dragons move the needle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, St. Mary's finished with a 6-7 record, fielding a youthful team eager to compete at a high level. This upcoming season, a bulk of their impact players are battle-tested and now have a year or two of experience under their belt—setting the stage to build something special in the seasons to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1636038"],"_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-67cb27e18d149"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>J'Mareon is a All-District 6-foot dual-threat QB</strong> with all the tools to lead a high-powered offense. Ranked among the top 30 passers in the area, he helped put 247 points on the board in 2024. His discipline keeps defenses honest in play-action and RPO schemes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith moves effectively in the pocket, keeping his eyes downfield and progressing through his reads to deliver accurate throws. He has solid arm strength with a nice touch on passes of 30 yards or less. His athleticism adds a dynamic element to the run game, allowing him to break tackles or outrun defenders to the edge, keeping the chains moving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Next season could be a breakout year as J'Mareon continues to settle into his role as a leader on a young team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 Season: 2050 total yds, 15 total tds, 3 ints </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1452148"],"_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-67cb27e18d1c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>All-District RB</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1452148' first='Kingston' last='Miles'] rushed for over 1,000 yards</strong> as a sophomore last season. He's already built like a veteran back, combining great speed, balance, and power. His highlights feature an impressive selection of 25+ yard explosive runs, but what stands out most is his vision through the hole—juking multiple defenders before accelerating to the third level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He makes decisive cuts by planting his foot upfield, staying under control, and trusting his blocking. Don't overlook his hands; he's a reliable check-down option in the passing game, capable of catching swings, flats, shoot routes, and more. I see Miles easily emerging as a top-10 back this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Season: 1076 rushing yds, 8.5 ypc, 16 total tds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1160667"],"_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-67cb27e18d240"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1160667' first='Malahn' last='Green'] is a All-District big-play receiver</strong> who hasn't met a route he can't run. When targeted, he knows how to come back to the football with confident hands. Green immediately catches your attention with his electrifying agility. Whether it's a screen or a short throw to get the ball in his hands, Malahn knows how to make defenders miss in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you give this young man any room, you're not catching him in the secondary. Did I mention he's a major threat in the return game? With his offensive counterparts, Smith and Miles, it's safe to say they'll be racking up plenty of scores under the lights as juniors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Season: 695 receiving yds, 4 tds, 43 yd return avg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1590221"],"_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-67cb27e18d294"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>All-District DB</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1590221' first='Greg' last='Hollis'] plays smart and physical</strong> at the safety position. He is a takeaway machine with great instincts, always seeming to be in the right place at the right time. Hollis can shrink the field quickly in multiple ways. His coverage ability is elite, and he can take the air out of the football with his downhill support as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Even though Hollis makes it look easy—getting out of his backpedal or flipping his hips to improve his positioning—this Dragon isn't afraid to lay the wood. That's why he leads the team in tackles and interceptions, tying for the second-best in school history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Season: 77 total tackles, 8 ints, 3 fumble recoveries </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1405389"],"_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-67cb27e18d305"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>All-District</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405389' first='Darrius' last='Smiley'] started at left tackle</strong> as a freshman and is listed as the No. 1 recruit in his class, regardless of position. He is big. He is mean. He is everything you want in a developing tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smiley has incredible footwork for his size and moves his 265 pounds with efficiency. I haven't seen a young lineman like this in a while. The St. Mary's coaching staff has done an outstanding job keeping him conditioned to pull into space—and he finishes the job when he gets there. If Darrius gets his hands on you, you're going backward, no matter your assignment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His build is long with a solid frame—heavy-boned but not sloppy. He represents the new-age big man: athletic, powerful, and capable of playing behind his pads. Mechanically, he's impressive for all four quarters and never gives up on a play. Still holds first off from Nebraska. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024 Season:</strong> Starting QB finished with <strong>131.199</strong> passing rating, 1873 total yds rushing, 1662 total yds receiving</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->