GRAYSON —
When you ask East Carter senior Blake Mayo what position he’s listed under, he makes it simple to understand.
“Wherever necessary,” is his ready-made reply.
That is the best answer he could give after a 2011 season where he seemed to be a jack-of-all-trades for the Raiders.
His statistics included leading his team in receiving (seven catches for 209 yards), putting in work at running back (41 rushes for 281 yards and a touchdown) and even spending time at quarterback (4 of 7 completions for 51 yards and two TDs).
Having the ability to play different positions is nothing new to Mayo, who said he learned every aspect he could coming up.
“Even as a young kid I’ve wanted to learn all the positions,” Mayo said. “It helps you know what is going on in the game better if you know what everyone else is doing.”
Mayo even excelled on defense with 38 tackles and two fumble recoveries from the safety position.
But it seemed like last year all of his success came from stepping into the moment.
East Carter coach Zack Moore said with most of the attention focused on running back Conner Staton, it was Mayo who was able to come up and surprise people.
“Conner played great in the grid (scrimmage), and everyone started to focus on him,” Moore said. “Blake took advantage of that. When you have good athletes, that’s what has to happen. One gets the focus and the other one capitalizes.
“The fact that he took advantage of that speaks to the kind of player Blake is.”
Another factor that plays into Mayo is his ability to capitalize with a big play.
His favorite example of that came during last year’s game against West Carter, where quarterback Donovan Roe connected with him for a 95-yard touchdown pass.
“He’s a competitor,” Roe said of his teammate. “He pushes us and helps us get better and we’re just hoping to come out and win some games this year.”
Roe’s words have new meaning in preseason camp, as he and Mayo are both competing for the starting quarterback role.
Last season was the second for Roe as the starter and he went 37 of 99 for 538 yards and four touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. Roe had trouble staying in the pocket, Moore said.
But another aspect of the quarterback competition is that with Mayo being such a good athlete the Raiders want the ball in his hands.
For Moore, only good things can come of this, especially for his incumbent starter.
“It’s a good problem to have and they’ve battled extremely well,” Moore said. “I’m proud of Donovan because he’s a guy who’s been starting quarterback for two years and another guy’s thrown into the mix that can take your job. He’s been really battling harder and working harder.”
And while many think Mayo is the only one who knows more than one position, Moore pointed out that Roe can step in at halfback as well.
Knowing the other positions is just all in the job for a quarterback, Roe said.
“As a quarterback we’re entitled to know every position,” he said. “We know them all from running backs to the offensive line so, if we have to, we’re prepared to play all of them.”
Both Roe and Mayo have a lot in common. Both will play quarterback, both will play multiple positions and both are seniors.
But the one common statistic that drives them is one that has plagued the entire Raider class — they haven’t made an appearance in the playoffs.
In fact, East Carter has no playoff appearances since a 2008 first-round loss to Sheldon Clark. The Raiders haven’t won a playoff game since 2005.
But whether he’s at quarterback, halfback, receiver, safety or even on the bench, the one thing Mayo wants in his last season as a Raider is to get his team to the postseason.
“I just want to get to the playoffs and make a run at it,” he said. “I’ve never felt the energy of it. It would be awesome to try and win one because it’s been a while.”
KYLE HOBSTETTER can be reached at khobstetter@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2658.
Local Sports
Raiders order up all sides of Mayo
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Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug.
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Rough Ending
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Local track and field athletes are ready to try to carry region competition success onto the state stage.
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