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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Spring Football Fling: New coach, region among changes for youthful Mays squad
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING
In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• 4/28: Lowndes • 4/29: Parkview • 4/30: Mays • 5/1: Marist • 5/2: Northside-WR • 5/3: Lovett • 5/4: St. Pius
Photos: A look at Mays
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Mays in ‘08? Can Big Blue overcome so much change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
If football games are won with linemen, Mays could struggle early.
The Raiders will be an extremely young team under first-year head coach Dominic Callaway, who was Jesse Solomon’s defensive coordinator last season. Solomon resigned before the end of the 2007 season while under school board investigation.
Dedrick Couch is the only experienced lineman returning on offense or defense, but the program is filled with talented young players who will be asked to step up.
Callaway also expects Myer Nolan to emerge as one of the area’s best two-way players at receiver and defensive back. Nolan was an All-CityLife player last season on defense, but Callaway says Nolan will contribute on offense this year.
“[Solomon and I] have different styles,” Callaway said. “We were successful, and I have been a part of that. I know what it takes to be successful. We’ll be a team that plays hard and disciplined. We want to be mistake-free as much as possible.”
Mays should be in the hunt for one of the two playoff berths in Region 5-AAAA/Division B, which on paper appears to be the easier of the two divisions. In 2007, the combined record of the teams now in Division B was 30-33. Teams in Division A were a combined 36-31.
Mays Raiders
Region 5-AAAA/Division B
Spring practice dates: May 5-16.
Last year’s record: 9-3, 8-2 in Region 6-AAAA (second); lost to East Paulding (21-3) in the second round of the playoffs.
Reclassification challenge: The Raiders escape from brutal Region 6-AAAA, which included Tucker, Marist and St. Pius, and move to a much friendlier Region 5-AAAA/Division B.
Working on: Mays will be looking for five offensive linemen when spring practice begins on May 5. In fact, the team will be young at most positions. Only six of last year’s 22 starters return.
Key starters lost: Bernard Smith, DE (signed with West Virginia); Brandon Hodges, OL (Savannah State); A.J. Portee, DE (UConn); Naquan Smith, S (Grambling).
Key starters returning: Bobby Anthony, QB; Winston Broderick, RB; Dedrick Couch, DL; Myer Nolan, S/WR; Mario Turner, FB/LB; Desmond Walker, RB.
2008 strengths: Anthony gives the Raiders an experienced leader and playmaker at quarterback. If he can stay healthy - he struggled with a shoulder injury during the second half of last season - the 6-2, 205-pound athlete is one of the state’s top running/passing threats. And Mays also will have experience and talent in the backfield - Broderick, Turner and Walker were key contributors last season.
2008 weaknesses: Any team that loses 16 starters has to start over, and it would seem that the odds for first-year success are against Callaway. But he led the team to the playoffs last season and is a familiar face at the southwest Atlanta school after being on the coaching staff for three years.
This season’s projection: If Mays can build offensive and defensive lines, it could earn a playoff berth.
Photos: A look at Mays
Week Two Lineup
• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood
Week One Lineup
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on Mays in ‘08? Can Big Blue overcome so much change? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
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