2021 PFN Team Preview: The Mapletown Maples @mapletownmaple @MaxVanata5 @PABackyard
Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 7, News
Nate Grella | July 21, 2021
Mapletown Maples PFN PAGE
PIAA District 7 – Class A
League: Tri-County South
Head Coach George Messich
2020 Season Record 2-5
2021 Schedule
DATE |
OPPONENT |
LOCATION |
TIME/SCORE |
---|---|---|---|
08-21 | vs. Hundred (WV) (SCR) | 10:00 am | |
08-27 | vs. Avella (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
09-03 | @ Northgate (0-0) | 7:00 pm | |
09-10 | @ Chartiers-Houston (0-0) | 7:00 pm | |
09-17 | vs. Carmichaels (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
09-24 | @ California (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
10-01 | vs. Monessen (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
10-08 | @ Avella (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
10-15 | @ Jefferson-Morgan (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
10-22 | @ Bentworth (0-0) * | 7:00 pm | |
10-29 | vs. West Greene (0-0) * | 7:00 pm |
* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage
2020 RECAP
Despite finishing with a 2-5 record, the anticipation and excitement around the current iteration of the Mapletown Maples is palpable. After giving up consecutive 43-8 losses, Mapletown regained and finished as one of the most improved teams of the year. The Maples were two touchdowns off from finishing the year on a 4 game winning streak, and have a generational talent in the backfield.
OFFENSE
The numbers were up in 2020 and it showed down the stretch. MAX VANATA played well for his third year under center for the Maples. LANDAN STEVENSON looks like the next great TCS running back and commanded the offense in 2020. CLAY MENEAR, the primary pass-catcher also returns. Mapletown finally has the size in the trenches to play with the big boys too. George Messich finally has the weapons and the numbers to game plan against TCS defenses.
DEFENSE
With such a potentially explosive offense, the Maples defense needs to prevent 40 burgers and it will have a successful season. The defense played well down the stretch and names like GAIGE SHAW and LEVI HOWARD return to anchor.
OVERVIEW
There’s a very good chance that the Maples may be the Avella Eagles of 2021. The energy around the program and the participation is there. LANDAN STEVENSON has the chance to turn toss ups into blowouts and blowouts into toss ups. MAX VANATA finally has a line in front of him for the offense to work. The schedule lines up nicely for the Maples as well. If Mapletown can knock off the first 3, they host the Carmichaels Mikes in a possible trap game. Another game at home is the season finale at home against West Greene, which depending where both teams are, could decide the final playoff spot in the conference. In an extended playoff format, Mapletown is right in the mix for a playoff spot.
Offensive Starters Returning
Max Vanata
Clay Menear
Landan Stevenson
Gage Siders
Riley Franks
Gaige Shaw
Cohen Stout
Defensive Starters Returning
Riley Franks
Gaige Shaw
Landan Stevenson
Levi Howard
Max Vanata
Clay Menear
Key Newcomers
AJ Vanata
Roger Gradek
Follow PA Football News on Twitter @PaFootballNews
You must be logged in to post a comment.