RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Last season the Mayflower Eagles stormed through the regular season en route to a 10-2 record and advanced to the third round of the playoffs before dropping a close game to the eventual state champions.
This season, head coach Jed Davis will attempt to recreate that magic with a majority of last year's team lost to graduation. In fact, the
Eagles return just
two offensive and
two defensive starters from the team that averaged
nearly 37 points per game while giving up just 13
points per game.
While Davis is looking at new faces at nearly
every position, one spot he doesn't have to worry
about is the quarterback. Returning for his third
year at the starting position is senior Jordan
Dycus. Last year, Dycus threw for 1,950 yards
and 29 touchdowns.
He will be pushed at the position by sopho
more Dalton Campbell.
With one of Mayflower's biggest offensive
threats, DeShaun Bagby, graduated and on his
way to playing Division I football, the responsibil
ity of the running game falls on the shoulders of
senior Demetrius Lasker. Last season, Lasker was
the backup running back and starting fullback, but
he is expected to get the majority of the touches
this season.
"He's expected to be better than Bagby," Davis
said.
With no returning starters in the receiving
corps, Davis said the positions are up for grabs,
but a few have separated themselves from the pack
throughout the summer.
Those expected to earn starting positions in
clude seniors Lane Mabry and Wesley Varnell, as
well as junior Chris Hale.
The other returning starter on offense is Preston Hurt on the offensive line, who is expected
to be the leader of the group, Davis said.
Even though there are no other returning starters, Mayflower's dominance last season al
lowed all of the backups to see extended playing time late in games.
At the defensive end positions, the Eagles are as experienced as any other position. With
returning starter Dominique Simpson and first-off-the-bench player Wesley Varnell, the outside
of the defensive line could be a strength of the defense. The nose guard position will be done
by committee, Davis said.
As with most of the other positions, there will be all new faces at linebacker. Juniors Murphy
Bankstion, who saw a lot of playing time last year, Taylor Mathis and Quincy Tims will have
to adapt quickly to being the starting group this year.
Free safety Demetrius Lasker has the build of a college outside linebacker, but his quickness
is what will set him apart from the rest of the secondary. At one cornerback position will be
Lane Mabry, but the other cornerback position has yet to be filled.
"[My] expectations are high," Davis said. "I expect us to be better than last year. I'm excited
about this year's team." When it comes to the race for conference champion, Davis expects it to be between May
flower and Harding Academy like it was last year.
"Everyone expects us to be down," Davis said. "We're going to use our blue-collar work
ethic, but it might take a couple of games [to get in a groove]."
MAYFLOWER EAGLESSept. 4 ..............at Clarksville Sept. 11 .............. Greenbrier Sept. 18 ............at Glen Rose Sept. 25 .............. Riverview* Oct. 2 ....................Brinkley*Oct. 9 .............. at Rose Bud* Oct. 15 . Harding Academy* Oct. 23 ................at Barton* Oct. 30 ................. England* Nov. 6 ............ at Episcopal*
Special, Pages 214, 215, 216 on 08/23/2009