Maples have higher goals than just making playoffs
Mapletown’s Matt Hein, front, Dustin Lemley and Jacob Bigley lead the way for their teammates through an agility drill at the start of practrice. Mapletown is coming off a 7-3 season.
Coach Joe Spiker hands off the football to running back Dylan Rush, who runs past his teammates as they try to cause of a fumble by knocking the ball from his grasp. Rush ran for more than 1,000 yards last year.
Mapletown’s Christian Gribschaw, left, J.T. Hennessey (24), Tanner Griffin (30) and Matt Rush lead their teammates around the practice field during training camp.
MAPLETOWN – Until middle school, the Hein brothers – Adam and Matt – did not play sports.
When the urge was finally too much to ignore, they chose football because it was their mother’s favorite sport.
The two helped each other learn the nuances of the game, pushed each other in preparing for the season, and raised the competitive bar each year.
Last year, the two helped Mapletown High School snap a 10-year playoff drought by finishing third in the WPIAL Class A Tri-County South Conference.
Things have changed since then.
Adam Hein graduated and will play at Waynesburg University, and Matt Hein will start at wide receiver and also play halfback.
For the first time, the two are not in the same school building or on the same football field.
“He showed me how to be a good leader,” said Matt Hein, a 5-9, 165-pound senior. “He’s a big kid. He did a lot of work in the offseason and I tried to do the same.”
Adam Hein rushed for 811 yards and averaged 7.1 a carry from his fullback spot. He caught 11 passes for 117 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. Coupled with Dylan Rush, who ran for 1,016 and caught eight passes for 112 yards, the Maples amassed more than 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. That was a big reason why they took third place in the conference and ended with a 7-3 record.
“Now, we want to progress further, maybe go two or three games into the playoffs,” said Matt Hein. “We expect more this year. That’s what we’re working for. Last year was so important because we got a playoff game. I’m sure that made the coaches happy but we all wanted it.”
Mapletown head coach George Messich said he won’t hesitate to get the football to Matt Hein.
“He’s very quick and very fast,” said Messich.
The success of Messich’s Pro-I offense is predicated on the run so Rush will get a lot of work from the tailback spot. That will create opportunities for Hein on end-arounds and sweeps.
“We always thought he had potential,” Messich said. “He seems to have more self-confidence, and I think that’s a big key.”
The running game should help the transition of Dustin Lemley into the quarterback spot. The senior was the backup to Ben Boone last year, and was listed as a tight end. Boone only threw the ball 52 times, completing 23 for 371 yards.
“Lemley has looked very good for us,” said Messich, “especially in 7-on-7s over the summer. He’s been a very pleasant surprise. I’m really pleased with the way he’s throwing the football.”
Ah, but here’s the key.
The Maples return one of the largest lines in Class A. At right tackle is the largest lineman, Brandon McClead, a 6-3, 315-pound senior who is a three-year starter. Another senior returner, Harley Gee (5-11, 250) is next to him at guard. Jake Visockey, a 6-6, 215-pound junior, is at left guard and Chace Johnston, a 6-1, 275-pound senior, switches from center to left tackle. Junior R.J. Durr (6-1, 185) moves to tight end after playing wide receiver last year.
Tanner Weston, a 5-10, 210-pound sophomore who started three games last year because of injuries, and Lane Powell, a 5-10, 175-pound sophomore, will rotate at center.
“We have a good line,” said Messich. “We have a little depth and it has some size.”
Messich will flip most of the line – McClead, Gee, Weston and Visocky – to the defensive front and use Durr at defensive end for the 50 look or at outside linebacker for 4-4 scheme. Dylan Rush will be an outside linebacker, and Matt Rush, a 6-2, 220-pound senior who will play fullback on offense, and Gavin Uphold, a 5-9, 180-pound junior, will handle the middle.
Hein and junior Alix Gennette are the cornerbacks and juniors Tristan Franks and Tanner Griffin are the safeties.
If the Maples remain healthy and the running game clicks, they will be a difficult team to beat in the Tri-County South.
“I tell them they can be as good as they want to be,” Messich said. “What we need to improve on from last year is giving 110 percent every single play until the whistle stops. Last year, up front, we could come off the ball, drive someone a yard or two back and stop. I think it’s going to come down to how hard they work. Right now, I’m pleased with the work they are doing.”