Maize South
Last Season: 4-5
Maize South comes off a 4-5 season, but Brent Pfeifer believes improved health and the experience gained by younger defenders could make the Mavericks a fun and competitive 5A team this fall. The Mavericks return five offensive starters and eight defensive starters, so there is a decent base to build from.
The offense starts with quarterback Reign Illian, who threw for 2,507 yards and 25 touchdowns, giving Maize South one of the best returning passers in this set of teams. Hayden Nuss, Stratten Ebers, Carson Cantu and Riley Brown also return, with Ebers coming off 75 catches for 832 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Defensively, Jackson Riley is expected to set the tone as a leader, while Kade Cary, Cole Haynes, Cale Caruth, Tristen Hiebert, Karson Davis, Jackson Carpenter and John Strobel strengthen the returning core. Maize South still has to replace experienced receivers and improve the offensive line, but the quarterback play and defensive continuity give it a real chance to rise.
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