The Germantown Mavericks are returning just six starters this year.
But by the time district play begins in game five, the young guys likely will be battle hardened and ready for action.
“We play a tough pre-division schedule. We start with a jamboree against Brandon, followed by Northwest Rankin, Clinton and Yazoo County, which won the North State (championship) last year,” said head coach Tim Shramek. “It’s a challenging first month.”
Playing strong non-division rivals also gives coaches and players a chance to make mistakes, correct them and find out what works.
“We concentrate more on us than the opponent,” he said. “We find what we’re good at and get the kids on line. That’s how we’ve done it ever since we’ve been here.”
The relatively young school is going into just its eighth season. Shramek has been at the helm for all of them and has compiled a 52-30-1 record, according to Maxpreps.
His only losing season was the first, when the Mavericks posted a 3-7 season. Since then, Germantown has posted six winning seasons and has made five appearances in the post season.
Last year, the Mavericks fell to Class 5A, Region 2 champion Grenada High School in the first round.
In its short existence, Germantown has moved from Class 4A to Class 5A, where competition only gets tougher.
This year, all public schools will again be reclassified, and based on growth, could be moved up to Class 6A.
Public school athletics are governed by the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). Schools are classified based on size of the student body.
Shramek doesn’t worry about the potential reclassification. Rather, he’s focused on the upcoming season.
“We focused on getting better (on) day one,” he said.
Returning starters include senior offensive/defensive linemen C.J. Jefferson and Hayden Shook, senior wide receivers/defensive backs A.J. Edwards and Levi Harris, senior linebacker/tight end Porter Magandy and junior linebacker/tight end Luke Lary. and Tre Davis.
Last year, the starters stood out on defense.
As a junior Davis had 47 solo tackles, for an average of 3.9 per game. He also had one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
Jefferson had 29 solo tackles, 13 quarterback hurries and 1.5 sacks. Edwards had 35 tackles, three interceptions and five pass deflections. Harris had 26 tackles and four sacks. Lary recorded 21 tackles and Magandy had nine, Maxpreps states.
Class/Division: MHSAA Class 5A Region 2
Head Coach: Tim Shramek
Assistant Coaches: Steve Metz, Dustin Barrick, Tracy Beals, Bruce Brady, Michael Brogdon,Scott Brown, Ben Dew, Corky Houghton, Charlie Shearer
2017 record: 7-5
(photo) Jerrell Wilder, Tre Davis, Rashard Hansbrough, Charles Jefferson, Quavius Thompson, Porter Magandy, A.J. Edwards, Tyreek Hayes, Nick Barnes, Levi Harris, Brock Morris, Dequante Peoples, Aaron Sawyer, Ken Richmond, Austin Lee, Colton Gardner, Vincent Alexander, Ojavien Francis, Branson Robinson, Dylan Gray, Challen Williams, Lance Dalton, Jayden Hart, Chase Pyron, Austin Wheeler, Fred McAfee, L’Arthur Hester, Hayden Shook, Jalen Cooke, Alex Porter, Dayne Luby, Clayton Phillips, Peyton Irby, Jacob Greenwood, Brandon Smith, Aubrey Grace, Hunter Eldridge, Hunter Adcock, Charles Jefferson, Jacoby Johnson, Connor Shook, Bobby Sutton, Tyler Butler, Connor Ray, Jared Mangino, Jacob Bass, Tyler Murphy, Jalen Davis, John M. Edwards, Caleb Thompson, Arrington Robinson, Luke Lary, Noah Gibbs, Brandon Baker, Quinn Lindsey, Dylan Wasson, Tyler Welch, Jake Reynolds, Kendall Jackson, Justin Bass, Chris Sanders, Monterrio Walker, Jackson Dew, Myles Cheeks, Zack Curtis, Mike Ellis
