The new and improved St. John's Mavericks made a trip out to Northland Christian for a scrimmage to prove themselves for the upcoming season. The fans waited a long time to witness the Mavericks due to lightening delays. After a two hour delay the Mavericks led by senior captains Jett Williams, Rush Moody, John Ytterberg, and Reed Daniel took the field on offense for a ten play series. QB Josh Winslow running the veers and options led the Mavericks down the field and ran for a 30 yard touchdown keeper.
The Maverick defense then took the field with fire and skill looking forward to prove themselves. On the first play William Payne stopped the Cougars for a loss which led to a three and out. Northland then went to the passing game and was able to move the ball down the field and finished with a run for a touchdown. John Ytterberg had a big hit on a Cougar receiver on the last play of the series.
The second team offense then took the field for their ten play series led by quarterbacks Chris Gow and Gothard Reck. The team was unable to make it in the endzone but put together some good plays with William Payne and Stephen Firestone carrying the ball while Gow was able to hook up with Will Wallace on a nice pass play.
The defense then took the field for their second series of ten plays which was highlighted by a Ytterberg interception keeping the Cougars from finding the end zone.
It was now time to play a 12 minute running quarter in which the Mavericks won the toss and elected to take the ball first starting at their own 30 yard line. With Josh Winslow at the helm the Mavericks were able to move the ball sending Rush Moody up the middle and Jett Williams on the outside. On third a five Jett makes a nice run punishing a few Cougars along the way and getting enough yardage for a first down only to be called back by a questionable holding call. The Mavericks were then forced to punt with Jack Waller handling the duties. Waller then led the Maverick defense on the field. The Cougar offense started moving the ball until Reed Daniel made a big hit on the sidelines and Jack Griffin had a big hit in the backfield to force the Cougars to punt. Caldwell Flores caught the punt and the Maverick offense was ready to take the field again. Under heavy pressure Winslow was unable to connect with any of his receivers and St. John' had to turn the ball over after an unsuccessful fourth down attempt. On the Cougars first play Walker Hobby stepped in front of a pass for the interception to give the Mavericks one last time to score with time running out. The offense moved the ball down the field with a nice run by Jett for a chance to kick a long field goal. Taking a time out with 2 seconds left the field goal team with Jack Griffin to kick lined up on the ball only to have Northland call a time out to try an ice the kicker. Griffins attempt then fell short and the scrimmage was final.
The Maverick team played quite well in the warm-up scrimmage for their first game this Friday at Concordia Lutheran with a 7:30pm kickoff. Thanks to all the fans who weathered the lightening delays to stay and cheer on the team. Go Red, Go Black, Maverick Football were Back!

written by Cordes Symmes
edited by Coach Gleaves