Zayne Maupin – Sylvan Lucas
A Difference Maker
For Sylvan Lucas, physical football starts with the way No. 2 finishes runs and tackles. Running back and starting linebacker Zayne Maupin gives the Mustangs a rugged identity on both sides of the ball, setting the tone with his workload and toughness. His presence is felt between the tackles on offense and in the middle of the defense on nearly every snap.
Head coach Ben Labertew highlighted what makes Maupin special. “Zayne is our running back and starting linebacker. He currently has almost 1,700yds rushing and is leading our team in tackles. Extremely hard worker and a very coachable kid.” That combination of production, effort, and coachability explains why he is trusted to carry the ball and the defense.
Zayne delivered a season for the record books, impacting the game in every phase and serving as the engine behind his team’s success. Using school team statistics at the end of the year, Maupin finished with 205 carries for 1,922 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns, showcasing both durability and explosive playmaking out of the backfield. He also contributed through the air, completing 4-of-6 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, while adding 211 receiving yards and three receiving scores, making him a true all-purpose threat. Defensively, Maupin’s impact was just as significant, as he racked up 120 total tackles, highlighting his toughness and commitment on both sides of the ball. When the stakes were highest in the postseason, he elevated his play even further, averaging 217 yards per game and 3.5 touchdowns across four playoff games, cementing his reputation as a difference-maker in the biggest moments.
A back pushing toward 1,700 rushing yards while also leading the team in tackles is rare at any level. Maupin’s ability to grind out tough yards, then turn around and chase down ball carriers, anchors Sylvan Lucas’ identity as a blue-collar, two-way program.
