PRZVA Team Previews: Patriot Pioneers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Years Result: 9-4 (Fell to Colonial Forge in Region B Finals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriot Pioneers have built a consistent winner under Head Coach Sean Finnerty. Making a late season charge, the Pios are coming off a thrilling season that saw them take down long time rival Battlefield for the first time in over 5 years. Patriot dealt with a ton of adversity last year and it only seem to make them stronger as a unit. Gone are their all star quarterback (Tyler Knutson) and all world running back (Jackson McCarter) but that hasnt change Coach Finnerty's mindset. Speaking with Patriot at media day this past weekend, you can tell this team believes in themselves. They do not want to rebuild and with the nucleus they have returning they should not be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1297598' first='Mathieu' last='Lamah'], [player_tooltip player_id='854153' first='Aiden' last='Pagonis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1370610' first='Jack' last='Fowler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1297964' first='Jorden' last='Benjamin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1169761' first='Chris' last='Umana'], [player_tooltip player_id='1314751' first='Louis' last='Kenbeng Jr.'], </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297598"],"_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-689b4c4860ce2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The prize recruit out of Prince William County this year is senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1297598' first='Mathieu' last='Lamah']. Penn State bound next year, Lamah passes the eye test. Over 100 tackles last fall he will be the vocal leader of the Pioneers defense. He has been all over the field and their reasons why schools like West Virginia and Ohio State were pursuing him harder even after he announced his commitment to PSU. He is the total package at linebacker and I would expect him to see time as a freshman in Happy Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Mathieukanu9/status/1866657089482830211","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/Mathieukanu9/status/1866657089482830211 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169761"],"_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-689b4c4860d4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Big fan of our 122nd ranked prospect in our 2027 class defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1169761' first='Chris' last='Umana']. He is a bull up the middle and a downright pain to block 1v1. When he gets off his stance low, with his exceptional lower body strength, he can dominate up front. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/UmanaChris/status/1864437442968739868","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/UmanaChris/status/1864437442968739868 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1314751"],"_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-689b4c4860d9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kenbeng is another one from their 2027 class we really he debuted in our rankings at 197th overall and 26th for the defensive back room. The rising junior really was a force in the playoffs a year ago, he will get some carries at running back too. Kenbeng is one of the best corners in the PWC, you just don't know about him yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LouisKenbeng3/status/1937280584557973966","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/LouisKenbeng3/status/1937280584557973966 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["854153"],"_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-689b4c4860dec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coach Finnerty spoke very highly of Pagonis when I asked him about replacing the production of McCarter and Knutson. He is already an all conference defensive back (4 interceptions as a junior), he should have more of a role offensively for the Pioneers. Pagonis is a speed merchant and he could be a reliable target for whomever wins the starting quarterback job. Recently obtaining an offer from Christopher Newport University, Pagonis has a 4.0 GPA!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AidenPagonis/status/1955044076119814403","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/AidenPagonis/status/1955044076119814403 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1643027' first='Braylon' last='Addy'], [player_tooltip player_id='853897' first='Jamir' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1073634' first='Ian' last='Song'], [player_tooltip player_id='1313486' first='Brady' last='Warren'], [player_tooltip player_id='1312076' first='Dheyvion' last='Lydell Grant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1643027"],"_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-689b4fdf7025a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liked what I saw at the PWC showcase from [player_tooltip player_id='1643027' first='Braylon' last='Addy'] this past spring, I believe the rising senior is poised for a big year. A quick receiver out of the slot he should provide another option for Coach Finnerty's new starting quarterback. Addy gets out of the blocks quickly so if you do not jam him he will be open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BraylonAddy/status/1922840060786860536","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/BraylonAddy/status/1922840060786860536 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1073634"],"_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-689b4fdf702bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From our 2028 group, defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1073634' first='Ian' last='Song'] is one to watch for the Pioneers defense. We ranked him just outside of our top 100 with good reason, Coach Finnerty speaks very highly of him. He should fit in nicely amongst their defensive line next to Ummana and possible [player_tooltip player_id='1297964' first='Jorden' last='Benjamin']! When Coach told me he expects to have one of the better defenses in northern Virginia, I beginning to see more and more why. [player_tooltip player_id='1073634' first='Ian' last='Song'] is already 6'1 and 195, put him off the edge and let him rush the passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312076"],"_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-689b4fdf7030f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The running back battle should be interesting to watch for this school, longtime starter Jackson McCarter is at James Madison, and next up figures to be a combination of Dheyvion Grant and a few others. Back healthy and looking to make an impact, Grant is very shifty and stable on his feet, he could be in line for a big fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach Sean Finnerty's thoughts on the offseason and expectations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>BUILT A TON OF DEPTH IN THE SKILL POSITIONS, DEFENSE WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE AREA, EXPECTATION TO WIN THE COUNTY AND BE A FACTOR IN THE REGION</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->