"New Faces, Same Fight: The Raiders’ Next Chapter Begins

“Mays gon’ reload every year - no matter what happens,” Head Coach Austin voices about the Raiders Football program as they prepare for the new season. Coach Austin took on a new position as the football head coach last year and will be returning to lead the Raiders to a victorious season. With that being said, spring season is officially underway for the Mays High Football Raiders!

They will take on the Cedar Grove Saints tonight, May 15th, at Lakewood Stadium in the Spring scrimmage. The Raiders will be going into the new season with significant roster changes and the loss of key players such as wide receiver Clayton Coppock, running back Jamarion Dowdell, and Syncere Berry. The team also has a few changes to the coaching staff, with returning coach Coach Edge and two new coaches to the program: Coach Sparks, our 11th grade counselor, and Coach Montae.

Despite the monumental adjustments, Raiders hope for this spring game to showcase another moment in Mays’s history to blossom out of challenges. With a variety of new and young faces, the team has adjusted well to these changes, according to Offensive Coordinator Coach Rivers. The team has only two returning starters on both defense and offensive sides, which has Coach Austin and his staff paying even more attention as they rebuild their team.

This has led to several veteran guys taking the initiative to step up and lead, guiding the younger guys in the right direction, with hopes of seeing “some signs of some new playmakers ready for their opportunity,” Coach Rivers says.

During this spring game, fans will get to see the progress the team has made thus far, as well as join in on the team's journey to secure a solid quarterback for this upcoming season. Coach Austin believes that his team of young players who have a strong competitive spirit will showcase the work that has been emphasized throughout practices.

This is the first live competition for both the coaches and players to see what their team chemistry looks like, as well as how the team handles the pressure under the lights. Coach Austin wants his team to “just compete,” “go hard,” and “have fun” tonight.

Will the Raiders come out on top? Join us tonight at Lakewood to find out!