PRZMD Team Previews: St. Albans Bulldogs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Final record: 9-3 (Co-IAC champions with Georgetown Prep and Bullis), lost 14-7 to Digital in the DCSAA Class A football state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key losses</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will Martin (RB), Zahir Cobb (WR), Alex Suh (WR), Eddie Samuel (WR), Preston Paulos (LB) , Hugh Kaplan (DB), Rowan Banks (LB), Christopher Solomon (OL), Charlie Palma (DL)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1570610"],"_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-6a52416d45020"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St. Albans lost a lot on offense but still has one of the best quarterbacks in the DMV returning for his senior year. Paukstis completed 142-of-215 passes for 2,293 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. He's the school's record holder in passing yards and will most likely break other school records this upcoming season. Paukstis lost a few weapons in Martin, Cobb, and Samuel. My guess is that he'll be asked to carry even more of an offensive load this season with his arm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1865201"],"_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-6a52416d4509a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dilanian made 77 total tackles (53 solo), sacked the quarterback twice, and generated seven quarterback hurries last season. He'll be counted on even more to lead a defense that lost eight players who were in the top 9 in tackles for the team last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dilanian competed at Columbia's prospect camp back on July 7th.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I had an amazing time and incredible learning experience at <a href="https://x.com/CULionsFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CULionsFB</a> camp! Thank you so much to coach <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Poppe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Poppe</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachJWood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachJWood</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachT_82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachT_82</a> for the great camp! <a href="https://t.co/KwF5y661Gb">pic.twitter.com/KwF5y661Gb</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1865201' first='Max' last='Dilanian'] (@MaxDilanian) <a href="https://x.com/MaxDilanian/status/2074546482317849033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2246853,"_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-6a54d2b62329f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McElroy will be one of the most experienced linemen coming back this year for St. Albans. Lining up at right guard for the Bulldogs, he gets immediate leverage upon first contact with whomever he's blocking. Has a good amount of run blocking power, and often finishes his blocks with pancakes. I think if he can show a little bit more explosivness, McElroy's recruiting stock would go up even more. Mobile enough to pull and hit his target, also gets inside the defender's frame and controls the rep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2246854,"_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-6a54d2b62335f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During the 2025 season, Neville made 29 total tackles (17 solo), sacked the quarterback twice, produced four quarterback hurries, and caused two fumbles. I love his quickness off the ball; he shows a nice burst. Not the biggest at the edge position, but he has shown that he's an effective power rusher as well. I expect an uptick in Neville's production this upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Neville competed at Brown's prospect camp back on July 9th. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Awesome night competing and getting better <a href="https://x.com/BrownU_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrownU_Football</a>. Special thanks to <a href="https://x.com/CoachBAM93?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachBAM93</a> <a href="https://x.com/Coach_Mul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Mul</a> <a href="https://x.com/CoachPXMurphy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachPXMurphy</a> for the opportunity to show that I can play multiple positions at the next level. <a href="https://x.com/o_martin90?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@o_martin90</a> <a href="https://x.com/EdOBrienCFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EdOBrienCFB</a> <a href="https://x.com/STAFootballDC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@STAFootballDC</a> <a href="https://x.com/sixstarfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sixstarfootball</a> <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepRedzoneMD</a> <a href="https://t.co/iWTLINH7CG">pic.twitter.com/iWTLINH7CG</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='2246854' first='Christian' last='Neville'] (@cneville31) <a href="https://x.com/cneville31/status/2075185124405043640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2246856,"_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-6a54d2b6233c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ford is next in line to get more carries following the departure of Will Martin (graduation). Last season, he carried the football 65 times for 484 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games. His best outing last season came during a 56-16 win over Bullis where he ran 13 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Naturally keeps a low pad level, able to make defenders miss due to his quick feet and ability to make sudden cuts in tight spaces. He was a valuable change-of-pace option for the Bulldogs last season. Will be one of the top running backs in the IAC for the next couple of years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->