Team Preview – Mallard Creek Mavericks
As we get closer to the start of the season, we will be taking a look at team previews from across the Charlotte Metro Area. We have a lot of talented players here in the city, and every year there…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs we get closer to the start of the season, we will be taking a look at team previews from across the Charlotte Metro Area. We have a lot of talented players here in the city, and every year there are new faces that will become the star of their teams on Friday Nights. We’ll take a look at them, as well as the overall team prospects for the upcoming year!
Mallard Creek has been one of the best programs in Charlotte ever since their 2nd year in existence as a school. Former Head Coach Mike Palmieri built a powerhouse that won multiple state championships, conference titles, and playoff games throughout his tenure. Head Coach Kennedy Tinsley enters his 3rd season with a lot of talent on the roster, and his best chance to return Mallard Creek to those levels seen in those previous years.
Last season, Mallard Creek went 6-5 in the regular season but got hot in the State Playoffs, beating rival Butler in the first round, and then going on the road to defeat Asheville before losing in the State Quarterfinals to another rival in Hough. That playoff success propelled the Mavericks into what has been a strong offseason, with a number of players receiving offers to play college football on the next level. Let’s take a look at some of the players The Creek will feature this upcoming season.
Quarterback Justin Wheeler has come into the program in his senior year, and his accuracy and timing are two things that the Mavericks offense will look to take advantage of in their passing game this upcoming season. One thing Mallard Creek does not lack is dynamic playmakers at the Wide Receiver position. Darren James-Hamilton you can classify as a true ATH, but he is absolutely a big-time threat every opportunity he has with the ball in his hands. He also can play some safety and is a force on the back end of the defense. Jaidan Lee and Tshokote Shosola are some speed threats with big play ability in the open field and will give the offense a strong vertical threat. ATH Benjamin Black is a force in the special teams arena on kickoff returns, and can do some special things on offense on screens, jet sweeps, and even play some Wildcat quarterback.
The running game has a chance to be very strong as well, with one of my favorite players – Tomar Bivens – leading the charge. Tomar is a power back who has some speed to run away from you and will keep his legs going to keep the chains moving. He will be running behind some big offensive linemen in Umar Rockhead, who looks like a great Left Tackle prospect, and Abdul Smith, a 6’5 300-pound transfer in from New Jersey who looks like a big-time road grader on film at guard and tackle.
Defensively there is also plenty of talent to go around at all three levels. DE Ishan Ali at 6’3 and 230 pounds will be a headache coming off the edge in passing situations and he also plays the run well. DL Myles Chambers will help control the interior of the defensive line with good quickness off the ball, and LB/Edge Michael Short, an East Carolina commit, had a very strong offseason and will be a player the Mavericks will count on to force turnovers and change the game. LB/SS Jameel Muldrow also has had a strong offseason, picking up multiple offers along the way, and looks like a great athlete that can play in the box or in space. Defensive Back Darren Morrison is a smooth player at the DB position with great ball skills. I think he is being a bit under-recruited right now and provides the Mavericks a player they can lean on in the secondary.
Overall, some games to watch for Mallard Creek – Week 1 in the Memorial Stadium opener against Myers Park will be a showcase game for them. The Mavericks are road warriors this year with only two home games scheduled in the regular season, BUT the final home game against Chambers will be must-see tv as these two programs have been really going at it in the offseason and will be fired up to see each other for sure. Road games in the pre-conference schedule against South Carolina powers in South Pointe and Gaffney will definitely have the Mavericks battle-tested for conference play. I am excited to see how these players seize a great opportunity in front of them this year to flip the 704 back to The Creek.