Maize looks to stay healthy and build off of last year's 3-7 record. |
Despite losing records, Maize has reached the playoffs two of the last three years
Coach: Craig Broadbent (10-18 entering 4th year at Maize, 25-57 as head coach)
2009 Recap: 3-7 overall, 1-4 in the AVCTL Division I. The Eagles opened the season with a win over Valley Center before dropping their next five games. Maize closed the season winning two of their final three games to advance to the playoffs. The Eagles lost 35-6 to Manhattan in the regionals.
Returning Starters: Offense 6, Defense 2 (John Beard, Sr., OL; Jon Buzard, Sr., S; Scott Hendricks, Sr., RB; Chris King, Sr., OL; Derek Lee, Sr., TE/LB; Ty Turner, Sr., RB; Steven Wolgamott, Sr., OL)
2010 Outlook:
Offense: Maize returns six players to the offensive side of the ball including senior running backs Scott Hendricks and Ty Turner. The two backs combined for over 1,000 yards a year ago for the Eagles. The unit will rely on new quarterback Blake Pontius, a junior, to take over the squad’s flex-bone offense. Along with a pair of veterans in the backfield, Maize returns three seniors to the offensive line. John Beard (5-11, 217 pounds), Chris King (6-1, 270 pounds) and Steven Wolgamott (6-6, 275) will provide the push up front for the Eagles ground attack. Tight end Derek Lee returns as a leading threat for the passing game while Hendricks will also be used out of the backfield.
Defense: Maize, which gave up an average of 27.7 points per game last season with three returning starters, will try to do better this season with just two. The Eagles have several holes to fill and will once again rely on several newcomers to step up and lead Maize’s 4-3 defense. Lee and John Cuda will lead the linebackers as safety Jon Buzard will hold down the secondary. The unit has several needs to address along a defensive line that brings back no starters from last season. Beard, King and Wolgamott are possible options to play both sides of the line along with fellow seniors Matt Mastroly and Austin Tatro.
Odds and Ends: Head coach Craig Broadbent said his team needs to stay healthy in order for them to have success this season. Injuries have plagued the Eagles the past two seasons.
Despite an overall losing record, Broadbent has led the Eagles to the playoffs in two of his three years with Maize. The program has not made it past the regionals in his tenure losing to Hutchinson in 2007 and Manhattan last year.
The Eagles district this season is composed of WAC contenders Garden City and Dodge City and rival Goddard. In the same district last year, Maize went 2-1.
