Little Rock McClellan was one of the worst football programs in the state in 2013 when Maurice Moody took over.
But Moody helped engineer one of the state’s biggest turnarounds, taking the Crimson Lions from one victory in 2013 to 10 victories in 2015 and an appearance in the Class 5A state championship game. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has recognized his leadership and accomplishments with this year’s All-Arkansas Preps Coach of the Year.
McClellan finished 10-3, beating Morrilton at home before winning at Hot Springs Lakeside and Batesville to reach the school’s first state championship game since 1994. The Crimson Lions led 30-29 at halftime against Pulaski Academy in the state championship game, but lost 50-30 to the Bruins, their 5A-Central Conference rival.
Moody credited his assistant coaches, which include Ray Sessions, Colton Bond, Bion James, Alfred Mohammed, Terry Lawson and Garrick Moore, for helping the players grow and succeed over the past three seasons.
“It’s been magical,” Moody said. “It’s almost been a miracle to me, watching our kids develop. Watching the program go from bottom feeders to almost near the top. It’s been a great journey. I’ve enjoyed being around the kids. I’ve enjoyed building a relationship with their parents and the community. It’s been really, really good to move the program in the right direction.”
McClellan was boosted in 2015 by the play of several players, leading with junior running back Pierre Strong. Strong rushed for 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns on 188 carries. Also, senior running back and defensive end Trent Lewis rushed for 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns and had 72 tackles and 6 ½ sacks. Sophomore linebacker Joseph Lewis led the Lions with 143 ½ tackles, 13 ½ sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 pass breakups.
Although Trent Lewis will not return next season, Strong and Lewis’ brother, Joseph, will be catalysts for Moody as he leads the Lions into 2016.
“We’ve got it going in the right direction,” Moody said. “The kids enjoy coming to work every day. They enjoy playing in the big games and the state championship game. I told them, ‘If you like that, what does it take to get to that point? We have to continue. We have to do it double time. It’s going to be that much harder next year.’ ”
While the wins and losses are important to Moody, it’s more than football to him right now at the magnet school on Geyer Springs Road in southwest Little Rock.
“We won in so many other phases of life with this group and McClellan,” Moody said. “I just love where we are right now. I love the direction that we’re headed. I love our kids’ passion for the sport. It made them better students. They want to come to school now. They set the bar high. They know they have to walk a certain way. They have to talk a certain way. They have to act a certain way. They have to be in front of the classroom. They set a standard for themselves.
“That’s what sticks out for me. They said, ‘This is how we need to act every single day.’ ”
