PRZVA Team Preview: West Springfield Spartans

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Year Result:</strong> 11-3 Region Champions Advanced to State Semi-Finals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach:</strong> Darnell Parker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Returnees: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1474206' first='Jevon' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1664154' first='Dillan' last='Wickham'], [player_tooltip player_id='1638442' first='Gavin' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='1735149' first='Brennan' last='Telfer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2262616' first='Evan' last='Graumann'], [player_tooltip player_id='1363673' first='Nathan' last='Fournier']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1664154"],"_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-6a6b7cf9a885b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1664154' first='Dillan' last='Wickham'] transferring in before his junior season shook up the entire region as he one of the best players in the state last fall. The Army bound running back, gashed opponents weekly earning an all state selection. He is a workhouse type of back with top flight speed, we have broken his game down a ton in the past. Now that he is no longer new to the area teams will be keying on him and most likely stacking defenders in the box. It may not matter though if the rest of the offense lines up the way I anticipate to be honest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/WickhamDillan/status/2065946131532484670?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WickhamDillan/status/2065946131532484670?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1474206"],"_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-6a6b7cf9a889f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Spartans deep threat who crushed it last year with 15 touchdowns and a 2nd team all state selection, [player_tooltip player_id='1474206' first='Jevon' last='Austin'] can burn. He is in part of why West Springfield offense is difficult to match up with, just when you think you have Wickham stacked in the box, Austin hit you down the field streaking for a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JevonAustin11/status/1997828117109559601?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JevonAustin11/status/1997828117109559601?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638442"],"_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-6a6b7cf9a88e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Springfield took some hits defensively graduating approximately 9 starters so having an all district performer in [player_tooltip player_id='1638442' first='Gavin' last='Price'] back is a bit re-assuring. He plays more a nickel/strong safety role for the Spartans, corralling 91 tackles with 75 of them being solo. Price is all over the field his stats back it up. They will line him up on the edge to rush the passer or send him out in coverage, very versatile athlete who is also a top ranked baseball prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/GPrice_02/status/1998514618965057564?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GPrice_02/status/1998514618965057564?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2262616"],"_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-6a6b7dca97aca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've missed Graumann's evaluation previously but he cannot be ignored anymore. He is back healthy and a 6'4 giant target on the outside. He has a deceptive stride too and should most if not all 50/50 balls. It appears he is is crushing it this off-season and has impressed at a number of 7v7 events. Graumann will be added to our 2027 rankings update late next month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1735149"],"_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-6a6b8aca8e186"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Telfer was a tackling machine at middle linebacker and was a a first team all region selection. I swear the South County game it felt like he had about 20 tackles Telfer was in on every play. One of our higher ranked prospects for the 2027 class at 111th overall, surprised to see him not pick up any offers yet. Him and Price returning defensively should help stabilize Coach Parker's squad early. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/carljfred/status/1998769120440099315?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/carljfred/status/1998769120440099315?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Newcomers:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1601625' first='Kyle' last='Lewis'] [player_tooltip player_id='1664108' first='Issa' last='Owens']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601625"],"_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-6a6b7dca97af9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patiently waiting for big brother to graduate Kyle has waited his turn and is poised to be one of the better quarterbacks in Virginia this fall. He is having a monster off-season impressing at our showcases with his testing results and accuracy. I have said it before earlier this year but it bears repeating Lewis is 6'4 and runs under a 4.8 40, that is moving for his size. I do not expect the transition for him to be difficult as he is been under this system for a couple years. Plus the way he has looked during off-season an all district selection should not be a surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->