Maury Football Preview
Last season, the Maury High Commodores came within one win of winning the Eastern District. Maury finished the season an impressive 9-1 with the only loss coming to Lake Taylor who went undefeated in district play to win the title. Coming into 2006, third year head coach Dealton Cotton says that his team will strive to remain “just as good or even better” than last year's squad. Coach Cotton expects the entire District to be better than last season and knows that every game counts more than ever before. With a balanced offensive attack led by a couple of All-District offensive linemen and a speed defensive corps, the Commodores of Maury plan on finally clearing that last hurdle in their quest for the title.
Quarterbacks
The Commodores will feature two quarterbacks that can run and throw the football in junior Lorenzo Branch and senior Steven Kelley. Kelley comes to Maury as a transfer and Branch started at quarterback for the school junior varsity squad last season. Coach Cotton likes that both are solid leaders and both will see time behind center.
Running Backs
Maury's running game will come at opponents like thunder and lightning in 2006. Speedy senior Trevon Williams will share carries from the backfield with the hard running Larry Armstead (also a senior). Both are returning from last year's team.
Wide Receivers
Dyrri McCain and James Butts come back as the Commodore's starting receivers but Brandon Brooms, Jeffery Turner, and Leroy Reynolds will also seeing time at the position as Coach Cotton will regularly use a three receiver set. Cotton considers Butts to be the team's leading possession wide out and will try to take advantage of McCain's speed down the field.
Tight Ends
The Commodores will be young at the tight end position this season but Coach Cotton will look for up-and-coming players like Darrell Davis to step up at this spot.
Offensive Line
The offensive line is shaping up to be one of the strongest units on the field for Maury in the coming season as they will be returning three starters from last year. All-District center Bryson Parker and All-District guard Steve Spence and tackle Vincent Painter all come back and will be joined by Elijah Cradle coming up from the junior varsity team.
Defensive Line
Coach Cotton will have plenty of depth on his defensive line in 2006 with DeCarlos Melton, Gerald Fleming, Travis Branch, and Elijah Cradle all rotating in at the defensive tackle position with Tim Hines and Steve Spence on each side at the ends.
Linebackers
Quarterback Lorenzo Branch will join his backfield mate Trevon Williams at the inside line backing spots on defense. Running back Larry Armstead will play at one of the outside positions with James Scott at the other, rounding out what looks to be a very athletic line backing corps.
Secondary
Receivers Dyrri McCain and James Butts will also play both ways and man the corner back positions with fellow receiver Brandon Brooms and Marqueez Costin playing the safeties. Coach Cotton really likes the speed he has coming out of the secondary.
Kickers
Maury places a lot of emphasis on special teams play as Coach Cotton looks at it as “1/3 of the game.” Zeke Hodges returns as the team's kicker.
Key Game: Phoebus
Extra Point: The Commodores will begin play in a new stadium in 2006. Powhatan Stadium will be the team's new home and will feature a new kind of artificial playing surface. The key question this season is with the transfer of QB Stephen Kelly from Indian River help Maury win a second consecutive District title?
