Unleashing the Mustangs: Maple Heights Prepares for Thrilling High School Football Season
The Maple Heights Mustangs are gearing up for an action-packed high school football season, and all eyes are on Coach Shaq Washington, a true legend in Maple Heights football history. As a player, Washington led the Mustangs to back-to-back state championship appearances in 2009 and 2010, culminating in a Division 2 State Title victory with an impressive tally of 7 touchdowns (3 passing, 4 rushing) in the 45-33 triumph. Now, in his 5th year as head coach, Washington aims to continue building on the winning traditions of Maple Heights.
The upcoming season brings some challenges for the Mustangs as they bid farewell to five 1st team all-conference players who graduated. However, the team is bolstered by a talented group of returning players who have earned their spots as standouts. Coach Washington stated, "We have a dynamic skill group of players that love playing with each other, and a young motivated offensive/defensive line." A host of returners, including Deniro Locklear, Duwon Williams, Devin Poole, Johmir Mason-Owen, Jaymir Mason-Owen, Myles Russell, JJ Overton, Taylen Cannon, and Donaiz Barker are set to lead the Mustangs to success.
Coach Washington believes that the team's goal of bringing home an L.E.L Championship and making a deep playoff run is within reach. One of the key roles the Mustangs will need to fill will be at QB. Sophomore Kindall Brown will be featured in the role, among others. Brown is up for the challenge. He expressed, "One of our biggest challenges would be how young our team is. I am also going to be playing quarterback this season, and that’s something new to me. So getting extra throws in with receivers and gaining chemistry with the team, those are all things that I need to be doing in order to command and lead this team." Barker added, "As a group, we always try to come to the field when we don’t have practice to get extra work in. We call it overtime."
The team acknowledges that its youth presents a challenge, but they are determined to overcome it and prove their doubters wrong. Cultivating chemistry, resilience, and perseverance will be critical for the team. Deniro Locklear, a Senior WR/DB, expressed that the team's "biggest improvement is how well we work as a team now." Senior LB Devin Poole added, "When we are down or losing in a game, we need to keep fighting and keep our heads up."
The Mustangs also have some promising incoming players to look out for, including Paul Love, Corwyn Collier, Braylon Donogan, NaCarri Gay, and Royce Brantley. These talented athletes add depth and potential to the team's roster.
The Mustangs are poised to make some noise this season. The departure of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights from the Lake Erie League (LEL) means increased parity in the conference, presenting a golden opportunity for a new champion to emerge. Nonetheless, Shaker Heights remains on the Mustangs' schedule, adding excitement and challenge to their journey. The matchup against the Red Raiders is set for Thursday, 9/14/23, followed by a series of conference games to wrap up the season.
The Mustangs will look to avenge a 20-14 OT loss to Garfield Heights on 10/12/23. One week prior, Maple Heights will face off against their rivals, the Bedford Bearcats. They took down the Bearcats last year 22-0. Cleveland Shaw, Lorain, and the newly rejoined Warrensville Heights Tigers will also give the Mustangs their best shot as they each look to reach the mountaintop and stake their claim for the LEL Championship.
With Coach Shaq Washington at the helm and a roster brimming with talent, motivation, and leadership, the Maple Heights Mustangs are set to take the field with determination and passion. As they aim for another successful season, Coach Washington emphasized, "This team, and community is one FAMILY. Every opportunity we get to step on the field and represent our community we will do so in a manner in which it deserves!"
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 that first picture is mean!