Rising through the Mayes

Westlake High School graduate striving at the Division III football level

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

We reflect back on one of Southern Maryland Athletic Conference's defensive stouts who not only had a knack for the game of football, but had a nose at getting to the quarterback.

Since he was 7, Chris Mayes, a 2007 Westlake High School graduate, has had a profound gift on the gridiron and now is currently a sophomore defensive end at Wesley College –– Division III powerhouse in the Atlantic Central Football Conference –– in Dover, Del.

Mayes has helped lead Wesley to an 8-0 record (3-0 ACFC) and headed a disruptive defense that is yielding only 7.6 points a game and 70.6 yards rushing on the ground to its opponents, along with three shutouts. Wesley is currently ranked third in the nation in the Division III American Football Coaches Association's top 25.

Thus far, the Wolverine has boasted 34 tackles (23 solo), two fumble recoveries and six and a half sacks –– 19 1/2 tackles have been for loss.

"It's a good experience, way different than high school," said Mayes on the college transition. "The game speed is incredible; the weekends are the best during football season with all the big games happening."

Mayes was named the conference's co-defensive player of the week for his Oct. 3 performance in a 44-19 rout of Frostburg State on homecoming weekend, making 3 1/2 tackles for losses that covered 21 yards and finished second on the team with seven tackles. He was a key part in a rush defense that limited Frostburg to just 43 yards on 34 attempts.

"Growing up, my defensive line coach [Marlon] Curtis [1995 Thomas Stone graduate] showed me a lot of things on the defensive side of the football," Mayes mentioned on his inspiration before the road to college. "He was there for me every step of the way."

"Chris had great work ethic and always worked to perfect his craft," said Curtis, who helped Mayes with technique. "He worked hard in the weight room and was extremely focused on being a great technician and being explosive off the ball."

Earning little playing time as a junior, due to playing behind graduates Darius Powell and Shawn Lemon, Mayes, a three-time letterman and all-SMAC standout, bounced back to lead Westlake to a 9-2 record as a senior in fall 2006 and broke a single-season record of 17 sacks, which is still currently in the Wolverines record books.

Westlake senior Josh Alexander tied Mayes' record on Friday night in a 68-0 shutout at Parkside in Salisbury, garnering five sacks on the night and his 21 career sacks are three away from breaking the career record of 23 set by Brandon Trichel, a 1996 Westlake graduate.

"Through injuries in his senior year he still managed to put himself in great position," Curtis added on Mayes' continued success. "Coming back as a college player and getting some extra work [in the offseason], he was just focused in being the best he could be."

Curtis mentioned that Mayes always played at a high level and the biggest thing was his consistency.

"That right there told me you're at a stage right now where you can perform," Curtis said on Mayes' potential entering the college ranks. "Regardless of the obstacles in front of Chris, that's what was going to make him successful against stiff competition."

Westlake head coach Dominic Zaccarelli added: "First of all he had great speed and it was really tough to get into his body. "He was coached very well by our defensive line coach Marlon Curtis, who is the reason why we are very successful because he specifically works with those guys. He has performed on the field and helped a Division III team be ranked in the nation and that says a lot about him."

Mayes majors in sports management and has future aspirations of becoming an athletic trainer after college. He spends time lifting weights to keep his strength and endurance during the season and enjoys playing pool and hanging out with teammates and friends.

"I always knew in my heart that when he played for [Zaccarelli] that he was going to do great things," said Pat Tayman, Mayes' mother. "Once he got to college, I could see his building for the love of the game and he makes me a great football fan. He's always told me that his goal was to go to the NFL."

Mayes, 19, has some advice for SMAC athletes of today.

"The best thing is for the young kids to stay with school," said Mayes', who currently has been on the dean's list at Wesley with a 3.5 GPA. "Don't make bad decisions. Academics will get you farther in life."

Mayes' favorite SMAC moment was during the third game of his senior year against Lackey when he recorded three sacks, two blocked passes and a fumble recovery. Westlake shut out Lackey that Sept. 23 day in 2006, 21-0.

ajmason@somdnews.com