PRZVA Team Previews: Fairfax Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last years result: 9-4 (Fell to Lake Braddock in Class 6 Region C Finals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since Coach Taylor took over at Fairfax, it is common to see the Lions deep into the playoffs and playing well into November. In the past 4 seasons the Lions have reached the playoffs including 3 straight Region Final appearances. While not quite able to get over the hump it should be recognized the remarkable turnaround Coach Taylor and his staff have accomplished at Fairfax. With the schools current situation that will not be discussed here, it certainly has come at an unfortunate timing. Still the Lions have plenty returning from last years squad and by all accounts do not plan to go away anytime soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='853783' first='Davon' last='Tolson Jr.'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1297914' first='Harry' last='Maltese'], [player_tooltip player_id='1662950' first='Ousman' last='Koffi'], [player_tooltip player_id='1639224' first='Aayden' last='Oh'], Nathan Hurley, [player_tooltip player_id='1827824' first='Ben' last='Taylor']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853783"],"_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-68a4d1ae288c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My dude Davon Tolson is a menace at both guard and defensive end for the Lions. The two time All Patriot Selection is back for his final season. Tolson has performed well along their defensive line but also at linebacker, his range meets no end. Personally I think he is a linebacker at the next level, but I will be curious to see him rushing the passer more this fall. Lining him up alongside with a slew of sack specialists, the Lions could pose the best defensive line in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/davontolson52/status/1856373198255992839","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/davontolson52/status/1856373198255992839 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297914"],"_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-68a4d1ae2892f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the Patriot districts top running backs and now wrestling State champ [player_tooltip player_id='1297914' first='Harry' last='Maltese'] is a stud. Loved watching him carry the rock last fall, he is a speedy and powerful north/south runner. Real old school back that can run over you on a moments notice, Maltese had multiple games well over the 100 yard rushing mark. He is also a good linebacker and I would not be suprised if he is in the middle this fall anchoring the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HarryMaltese/status/1912325133613609241","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/HarryMaltese/status/1912325133613609241 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662950"],"_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-68a4e29e86cce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps a late bloomer but right in time for the Lions is lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1662950' first='Ousman' last='Koffi'], he really shined at our Spring Showcase. In a loaded position room he dominated his 1 on 1 matchups and showed his full athletic abilities to all the college coaches on hand. Koffi will be heard from his final season in Fairax, he is 6'3 and 225 lbs. and not done growing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Ousmankof/status/1897317107924095387","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/Ousmankof/status/1897317107924095387 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1639224"],"_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-68a4e29e86d49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When giving opportunities, [player_tooltip player_id='1639224' first='Aayden' last='Oh'] makes plays with the ball in his hands end of story. Fairfax has typically been a heavy run first offense these past couple of years, but whenever they do throw, [player_tooltip player_id='1639224' first='Aayden' last='Oh'] seems to be main target. He does everything at wide receiver, crisp route runner and can high point a 50/50 ball with the best of them. The junior cracked our 2027 top 300 with his performance down the stretch of his sophomore season. I expect an even bigger leap in 2025, the kid can play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1707640' first='Anthony' last='G Mrad'], [player_tooltip player_id='1693505' first='Malek' last='Rashad'], Aaron Brown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707640"],"_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-68a4e65d4714a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Younger brother of Nick, lineman Anthony Mrad is going to have an impact entering his junior season. He is another candidate for our updated 2027 rankings set to post on Labor Day, Mrad is a beast at 6'3 and 290 lbs.. Lining him up next to Tolson or Koffi and again their Fairfax lines are going to be imposing. I would expect him to play both ways also as he is really coming along with the strength and agility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ANTHONYMRAD8/status/1934085105510719995","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/ANTHONYMRAD8/status/1934085105510719995 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693505"],"_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-68a4e65d4719f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We put [player_tooltip player_id='1693505' first='Malek' last='Rashad'] on our 2028 watchlist solely based on his potential. He is 6'3 and 275 lbs.. and the coaches were high on him when we reached this spring. When the coaches brought up his name they really believe that he could have an impact as a sophomore. Lining up amongst what should be a dominate line on both sides, should only help Rashad's chances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->