PRZVA Team Previews: Osbourn Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result: 6-4 Overall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more impressive turnarounds in Northern Virginia last year was the Osbourn Eagles. Previously going 2-8 the Eagles saw a big bump and just missed out on a playoff birth at 6-4 in 2024. Playing in the brutally tough Cedar Run district, the Eagles have the speed on the outside and toughness up front to make a postseason run. With two prospects (Smoot and Jackson) ranked in our top ten for the 2028 class and all conference candidates in the others, do not expect Osbourn to go away any time soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='853819' first='Keon' last='Maestas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1343472' first='Caden' last='Thornton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1422269' first='Anthony' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1639052' first='Caleb' last='Smoot'] [player_tooltip player_id='1297962' first='Wayne' last='Henderson III'], [player_tooltip player_id='1694534' first='Anthony' last='Stotts']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1343472"],"_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-687fed07e27e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When of our biggest rankings debuts came from [player_tooltip player_id='1343472' first='Caden' last='Thornton']. A big athletic corner Thornton had a good junior season and is poised to get interest from Division 2 schools soon. He and Smoot form an elite secondary that is going to be hard for any quarterback in this district to complete a pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at 116th overall, the defensive back has a 3.7 GPA and is coaches favorite. First to arrive, last to leave, Thornton will look to lead Osbourn back to the playoffs for the first time in 4 years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853819"],"_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-687fed07e2852"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A favorite of mine for a long time [player_tooltip player_id='853819' first='Keon' last='Maestas'] came back healthy with a bounce back 2024 campaign. He too is one of our top rated athletes as he plays corner, receiver and return man, a weapon whenever he has the ball in his hands. Where he will play at the next level will be interesting cause of his multi talents. A sub 4.4 40 and 3.5 GPA this young man deserves your attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TheKeonMaestas/status/1924988404762038352","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/TheKeonMaestas/status/1924988404762038352 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694534"],"_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-687fed07e289f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stotts is elusive along the Eagles defensive line, I like his potential ranking him 138th in his class. He is 5'10 and 230 lbs. tough soon to be sophomore. The young man will have more opportunities to get a ton of snaps. Playing in the Cedar Run district that includes Power 4 lineman every week, you are going to need Stotts to contribute right away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297962"],"_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-688002cfb0e5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tough stout offensive linemen and returning starter Wayne Henderson is back and he is important up front. He is physical and nasty from the point of attack, it seems when the Eagles offense running game is moving along they are following Henderson's blocks. Fast off the snap when he pulls its impressive to watch him pancake defenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> Elijah Nickerson, Jason Campbell, [player_tooltip player_id='1641175' first='Zion' last='Rice']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1641175"],"_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-6880041dc4d02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of Osbourn's ridiculously loaded 2028 group, [player_tooltip player_id='1641175' first='Zion' last='Rice'] cracked our top 150 this past spring at 45th overall in the class. While Jackson and Smoot may have more varsity experience, Rice has a ton of potential too. Good size and length already, he is athletic enough to play multiple positions for the Eagles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I could see him being used as a tight end on offense and an hybrid outside linebacker. He will play a lot and is important particularly for Coach Purnell's defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive Coordinator Antonio Purnell shares his thoughts on the off-season and expectations:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The off-season has been one of the most productive we've had. As the Defensive Coordinator for the Osbourn Eagles, I made it a priority to focus on fundamentals, physical conditioning, and building a cohesive unit. We introduced new athletes to our concept to increase our versatility and focused heavily on communication and situational awareness. Our expectations are high. We want to be more aggressive, disciplined, and consistent on the defensive side of the ball. I expect our defense to set the tone this season — to be the unit that creates momentum with takeaways, big stops, and energy. The players have bought into the culture, and if we stay focused and hungry, I truly believe we can be one of the top defenses in the region.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->