PRZVA Team Previews: Skyline Hawks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result: </strong>8-4 (Fell to Thomas Jefferson in the Region B Semi-Finals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skyline Hawks had a historic run last fall that saw them reach the Region B Semi-Finals before they eventually bowed out to Thomas Jefferson. Located in the very scenic and beautiful Front, Royal Virginia, Coach Gilbert's team is ready to compete week in and week out. The Hawks return a number of starters from the playoff squad and this year have their sights set on more than just making it to the postseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> Editors note- I broke down Lockhart and Burks yesterday here <em><strong>https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/standouts-from-the-skyline-cup/</strong></em> [player_tooltip player_id='1339307' first='Barrett' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='1236506' first='Marques' last='Lockhart'], [player_tooltip player_id='1337962' first='Zayden' last='Burks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1298298' first='Andre' last='Ford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1311711' first='Adrian' last='Schmitz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1684062' first='Tytus' last='Drake'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664377' first='Brady' last='Lupton']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1339307"],"_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-687e62e723493"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big stout offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1339307' first='Barrett' last='Stephens'] is bound for the next level and a rankings bump based on his play as a junior. Stephens is 6'3 and 255 lbs., he is attracting interest from numerous division 2 and 3 institutions throughout the east coast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BStephens5511/status/1861828798649368833","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/BStephens5511/status/1861828798649368833 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664377"],"_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-687e62e723500"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Very high on Lupton's talent, the 6'3 sophomore started along the defensive line as a freshman! We ranked him in our top 50 for the 2028 class for good reason, Lupton has FCS or higher potential. He looked bigger and faster from when I saw him this past spring, a good sign he can earn all conference honors this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Brady_Lupton08/status/1934644293123133485","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/Brady_Lupton08/status/1934644293123133485 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311711"],"_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-687e62e7235d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another reason to be high on the Hawks defense is the return of junior to be [player_tooltip player_id='1311711' first='Adrian' last='Schmitz']. Cracking our top 300 2027 rankings, Schmitz had a stellar year off the edge. This dude has a chance to be an all region type player this fall, really good pass rusher. He could easily have double digit sacks his get off the snap is very impressive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1298298"],"_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-687edcc9811fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middle linebacker and tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1298298' first='Andre' last='Ford'] is the big man for the Hawks defense at 6'3 and 195 lbs.. A basketball star too, Ford returns to for one more season looking to finish where he left off last fall. Ford has closing speed off the edge I like when the use him more of a hybrid backer, he rushes the passer with some fierce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1663290' first='Dayshawn' last='Haley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663290"],"_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-687e63865153c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior to be [player_tooltip player_id='1663290' first='Dayshawn' last='Haley'] is not a newcomer in the sense he has played and started in different positions the previous seasons. It appears though he will be the signal caller this fall and he is athletic and smart enough to handle the transition. Haley will be the Hawks new starting quarterback in Week 1, he has looked comfortable during the 7v7 circuits and he clearly has a great understanding of the offense. A number of playmaker returning to smooth this big shift for Haley, he is a leader at heart and will have a good year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach thoughts on the off-season and expectations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This offseason has been really productive. Things definitely ramped up this summer once all sports were out of season, and the boys have been all in on getting better. Our speed and strength programs took a big step forward thanks to the leadership and passion of Richard Redwood (4th Quarter Athletes) and Will Walraven (RAW). I've been incredibly impressed by the work they've put in. We're bringing back a lot of experience this year and have some big goals ahead of us. Our schedule starts off tough—our first three opponents all made the state championship in 2024 for their divisions—but we've been preparing for that challenge, and we're excited for the opportunity to compete. Go Hawks!</em>" Head Coach Heath Gilbert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->