PREVIEW: Mauldin Football Ready for 2011 Campaign

With the loss of the Greenville County Player of the Year to graduation, a pair of sophomore quarterbacks directing the offense, a revamped defense, a pre-season jamboree schedule shortened by lightning and a rash of injuries, one might assume that Mauldin football coach Doug Shaw would be less than optimistic about the 2011 season. That would be a mistaken assumption.

That might be because the Mavericks offense has been nothing short of explosive in the pre-season, overshadowing a defense that is still being fine-tuned.

While the offense may seem inexperienced at the quarterback position at first glance, sophomore Dre Massey has impressed everyone with his poise and decision-making during the pre-season. C. J. Thomas, who transferred from Berea is also expected to take some snaps.

The quarterbacks are surrounded by plenty of experience and talent in a receiving corps that has looked unstoppable at times. Senior Jordan Hallums, who is getting looks from college scouts, showed explosiveness and big-play capability. Wideouts A.J. Brown, Shamon Oglesby and Ebaja Sullivan are all seniors and threats in their own right, though Sullivan has been sidelined with an injury.

Standout running back Reggie Lomax returns after an All-County 2010 season, but he has been banged up in the early going. His replacement, junior Roy Nash, has excelled, breaking tackles and demonstrating a nose for the end zone.

Up front, the offensive line is led by senior Jonathan McLaughlin, who has attracted recruiters’ eyes. McLaughlin is joined by seniors Brody Swift and Joey Lysek and juniors Connor Young and Chris Sullivan.

The biggest areas of opportunity heading into the season are on the defensive side of the ball. Shaw pointed out that the version of the spread the Mavericks run on offense has been in place for his entire tenure of six years. While the defense is undergoing a change, switching to a 4-2 front.

The defense struggled at times in the pre-season which may be due to the new system that’s in place, but also due to injuries of Latrevis Byrd and Freddy Thompson who are expected to start in the secondary.

C.J. Young a senior lineman who is also counted on to make a major contribution, also has missed significant practice time. Once Young comes back he’ll be joined on the defensive line by senior Davion Gregory, juniors Frankie Johnson and Tre Wallace and sophomore Tyler Reimer.

The linebacking unit has some inexperience. Juniors Sean Douglas and Kendall Witt along with sophomore Beau Craft have seen most of the time in the preseason.

The secondary will have a bit of depth. In addition to Byrd and Thompson, the group is comprised of seniors Xavier Smith, Rayn Faust and Tim Johnson along with juniors Bryant Briggs, Braxton Brassie and Akeem Parker.

Kicker Evan Rogers has been a standout in the preseason, repeatedly pinning the opposition deep with his kickoffs.

The Mavericks went 6-6 last year, falling to eventual state champ Byrnes in the first round of the playoffs. They begin their season Friday against rival Hillcrest at home. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.