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For the next two weeks we will roll out our Preseason Power 25. Three staff members voted on their version of the thirty best teams in the Preseason Power 25, with a possibility of 90 total vote points for each team. Since we released 25-11 last week, this week we will reveal two teams per day until we get through the complete Power 25 on Friday. Voting for preseason teams centers more around the depth of talent on that team, as well as where it stacks up within their region/area, as opposed to strictly predicting schedule outcomes. 

Generally, larger schools and classifications have a greater depth of player talent on roster. However, once the season begins and records begin to take shape, the Power 25 will be adjusted as needed. In addition to that, we will debut our Private School Top 10 around April 1st and Small School Top 10 around mid-April. 

The Paul VI Panthers bring us to the #2 spot in the Preseason Power 25. Coach Emerson's club will bolster some of the best offensive and positional depth that the state has to offer.

#2 Paul VI Catholic   

The Panthers are coming off of a strong 2023 season which saw them get back to the 20-win plateau and completely return to their traditional place as one of the top teams in the WCAC. 2024 looks to be no different as Paul VI will again get one last run with its talented group of seniors in the lineup. The standouts that will draw pro scouts to the park this spring will again be shortstop Jackson Sirois (Virginia) and centerfielder Alex Peltier (East Carolina). That pair will be supported by fellow seniors Mattox Flatt (Eastern Mennonite) and Ryan Henson (Mary Washington). The Panthers are extremely deep in the lineup, with junior Will Tighe coming off of a great sophomore year season. Keep an eye on junior Alex Pearce in the lineup and sophomore Ryan Vaxmonsky, who has a high end hit tool and will be hard to keep out of the mix. On the mound, look for a very deep group to be led by senior Tyler Russ (Air Force), and there will be a ton of competition for innings between juniors Matthew Roussey, Greg Quintana, sophomore Carter Perdue, who had some big appearances late in his freshman year. If any of those arms can emerge as a true ace, this Paul VI team will be dangerous against any opponent in VISAA or WCAC, and could challenge to win both.

Final Thoughts:

"This offense is the deepest and most dynamic offense in the mid-atlantic. The loss of Logan Eisenreich on the mound will be big, but they have some guys who can fill that role. It may end up being an "ace by committee" and who has the best stuff that day, but they will have arms that are more than capable of winning the big games. Sirois and Peltier are the heads of the snake, but the bat talent behind them is pretty special. If you like explosive offense and hitters, this is the team to watch in 2024."

- Jason Burton (Virginia/DC Scouting Director)