Aug 17, 2024 By Chris Dugan 4 min read

MAPLETOWN – They say that if you follow high school football long enough, then you’ll see things you never saw before. Mapletown coach George Messich, who is entering his 42nd season at his alma mater, subscribes to that theory.

Two years ago, Mapletown had an undefeated regular season, its first since 1968.

Last year, an incredible string of injuries turned what could have been another good season for the Maples into a frustrating 3-7 campaign after starting the year with two wins.

The rash of injuries hit so hard that at one point Messich and his coaching staff took a linemen out of a game, switched his jersey to that of an eligible receiver, and while on the sideline showed him how to take handoffs.

“In all my years of coaching, I never saw so many injuries,” Messich said. “And all of them were freak injuries.

“During the undefeated year, we didn’t have one injury, not even a minor one. Everybody played the whole year. Then, last year, it started in the first game. I don’t care who you are, there’s not a Class A or Double-A team that can lose their top three players and be the same football team.”

While the injuries decimated the Maples last fall, it also opened the door to valuable playing experience for many underclassmen who had nothing to lose and experience to gain. Many of those players are back this year, more seasoned and confident.

Messich likes his offensive line, which returns six lettermen including four starters. The returnees are seniors Ashtin Nesselroad (5-11, 190) and Caleb Landers (5-11, 280), juniors Chase Taylor (6-2, 285), Coltin Halbert (5-9, 220) and Cameryn Shaffer (6-3, 220) and sophomore Kaden Lotspeich (5-9, 215).

“Our offensive line, as a group, is going to be very good,” Messich said. “All of the linemen lived in the weight room and they are nice-sized kids for a Class A team. This is a good group. They’re all very competitive.”

Mapletown has the option of using several different quarterbacks, including senior Brock Evans, who has been a starter at wide receiver and in the backfield, and sophomore Carson Vanata. Both players will be used at running back. Evans was the third-leading rusher last year and also caught 13 passes.

Senior Spencer Yeager also has experience at quarterback.

Senior Josh Howard started the last two years and will play running back and wide receiver. Seniors John Vanata and Ty Howard, along with junior Colton McKnight, will be utilized at the skill positions.

Messich likes the potential of his two inside linebackers, Nesselroad and John Vanata, and Evans on the outside. Mapletown will build its defense around those three. The experienced linemen will be two-way players but there were spots in the secondary that will be decided during camp and a scrimmage.

“We had guys get experience last year,” Messich said. “What I like is their willingness to work. They want to be football players. I believe that anybody can be a football player if they want, by putting in hard work in the offseason and the fall.”

Only three teams from the Tri-County South Conference will automatically qualify for the playoffs this year. Messich said California and Jefferson-Morgan are the early favorites. Can Mapletown be the other playoff qualifier? Even with all of Messich’s experience, he’s at a loss to predict how good his team can be.

“There are days when we look really good, offensively and defensively” he said. “Then there are other days …

“There are big questions that will be answered in the scrimmage, like how aggressive will we be when going at full speed? The potential is there for us to OK. The maturity level with this team makes a coach feel good. I’ve seen these kids grow up and mature.”