PRZVA Team Preview: Skyline Hawks

<p><strong>Last Years Finish: 9-4 fell to Kettle Run in Region Finals</strong></p>   <p><strong>Head Coach: Heath Gilbert</strong> (19th season as Head Coach, over 100 wins and their only HC in school history!)</p>   <p>The Skyline Hawks had a historic season that saw them head all the way to the Class 3 Region Finals before the bowed out to longtime rival Kettle Run. Over in Front Royal, Virginia Skyline High School has a beautiful setting with a very scenic viewing, I highly recommend you check out a game. Not only do the Hawks have a small-town setting, they return key members of an explosive offense and playmaking defense. If Coach Gilbert can get his new quarterback up to speed then you should expect to hear from Skyline again come playoff time. Coach Gilbert knows his team will need to start out strong and recognizes his strength of schedule <em>"Success in football starts up front and we have a strong core to lead our team. We are not as deep as we were a year ago but if we can stay away from injury we will be a tough out. [player_tooltip player_id='1337962' first='Zayden' last='Burks'] lifts with our lineman. He is not only faster than he was a year ago but he is stronger. Our schedule is tough and we will know right away how good we can be with Strasburg, Kettle Run, and Handley to kick off our schedule." Coach Gilbert said</em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Returnees:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1337962' first='Zayden' last='Burks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1684062' first='Tytus' last='Drake'], [player_tooltip player_id='1311711' first='Adrian' last='Schmitz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664377' first='Brady' last='Lupton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1748567' first='James' last='Hopkins'], Amir Smith, Isiah Grady, Caydin Jenkins</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most under appreciated prospects to come through Virginia in quite some time is running back [player_tooltip player_id='1337962' first='Zayden' last='Burks']. You should already know that we have been high on Burks's game since before he rushed 2,000 yards a season ago. He carried the Hawks to the region finals averaging over 9 yards per carry and 28 touchdowns! He is a FCS or higher back in my opinion and knows that teams will be keying on him in 2026. With the loss of standouts Dashawn Hayley and Marques Lockhart, look for Skyline's offense to feature Burks in new ways. He catches the ball well out of the backfield and is stronger than most of the conference already. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Burks_Zayden6/status/2017224432779927610?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1684062' first='Tytus' last='Drake'] is a bad dude along the Hawks defense line, he is now up to 6'3 and 245 lbs.., coming along very nicely for his senior season. He debuted at our last rankings for this 2027 class and has a chance for another stock bump when we update this class right before week 1.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DrakeTytus/status/2018846666225262881?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Schmitz is another guy who played a lot last year and whose leadership will be relied upon, him and Drake should form a good 1-2 punch at defensive tackle. Those two along with Lupton off the edge are good reasons why you should feel okay about the Hawks defense. I cannot foresee many if any at all teams being able to exert their run game against this front. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">If my memory serves me correctly, it was during the Skyline Cup last summer where I met [player_tooltip player_id='1664377' first='Brady' last='Lupton'] for the first time and believing this kid had FBS or higher potential. Fast forward and now he is ranked well in our top 100 and is making quite the impression to well respected coaches across the state. Lupton should be an intergral part of the Hawks passing game and he has gotten bigger since I last saw him in the winter.</p>   <p>A prospect who has Division 1 size and speed, as many other scouts have repeated what I said a year prior, do not be surprised if he starts getting offers by end of his junior year.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SHSHawksFootbal/status/2067781726911320261?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hopkins will be one of the fastest kids you will see in the entire Northwestern Region you will find out soon enough. He ran one the best 40 time on site at our Spring showcase at 4.66 with laser testing and I am convinced he can run it under 4.5. There are multiple ways Skyline can take advantage of his versatility, whether that be on offense, defense and special teams. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1759299' first='Brently' last='Grindle'], Luke Mcarthy</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The biggest key to Skyline keeping the momentum they had from last year will be the development of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1759299' first='Brently' last='Grindle']. The sophomore is expected to take over starting duty reigns and has looked the part so far this off-season. He tested very well at our Spring showcase, running a 4.92 40 and a good shuttle run. He seems committed to getting better and Coach Gilbert has attested to his work ethic. Facing a dangerous Strasburg squad week 1 is no small task, it seems that this young man is up for any challenge. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/6Brently/status/2070971299648749708?s=20 </div></figure>

Last Years Finish: 9-4 fell to Kettle Run in Region Finals