Max Thurman and Mayfield take part in a 7-on-7 quad in Aurora on June 19. (Courtesy of Tim Phillis – Morning Journal)
AURORA — Mayfield is facing a thin quarterback position heading into the 2023 season, with three passers currently vying for the position making it a tough sell.
The Wildcats took part in a 7-on-7 quad at Veterans Stadium in Aurora on June 19, their first game against various teams from across Northeast Ohio, and coach Ross Bandiera watched as his quarterbacks made the leap from the junior squad into the starting lineup.
“This was just to give the kids experience playing against other teams,” he said. “All summer long we didn't see the other teams wearing different color jerseys, so this is good. All three of these teams are really strong.”
Mayfield played against North Ridgeville (8-4), Suburban League champion Aurora (11-2) and Chagrin Falls (3-7). The Wildcats tried out quarterbacks AJ Rogers (senior), Danny D'Agostion (junior) and Kingston Murchison (sophomore) during the game.
Each quarterback brings something unique to the table: Rodgers has the size to take hits and is a good pocket passer, while Dagostion and Muchison are athletic.
“Varsity is a different speed. You're trying to figure out what's going on before the snap. Once you've got the snap, you can slow the game down and make a break and make a play,” Bandiera said.
Murchison's athleticism allowed him to experience defensive action, Bandiera noted, and he played on the other side of the ball.
“They both played pretty well. AJ (Rogers) had some good drives, Danny (Dagstion) had some good drives,” Bandiera said. “Kingston (Murchison) had some drives, played really well at safety.”
“This doesn't just apply to the quarterback, but most, if not the entire lineup. Coach Bandiera (45-37 career coaching record) is coming off a 6-5 season (3-3 in the Western Reserve Conference) in his ninth year, but he and his coaching staff are doing everything they can to prepare the team for the speed of college football.
“We're always trying to get better and gain experience,” Bandiera said. “Our defense and offense are still young. Our starting quarterback hasn't played a game yet. We're going to review film and look at what we did. Sometimes I think I made a good play on the field and I didn't. Other times, the other team played better than I thought they would and I think I didn't play well against the other team.”
Bandiera said he has been exposed to the youth movement and that he and the coaching staff have enjoyed the experience.
“It's fun because we have experience before and the guys don't yet,” he said. “Our job as coaches is to get the guys to get that experience sooner. It doesn't matter if they're a junior or sophomore, we've got to go. … It puts a little bit of pressure on us, but it's fun.”
Photo: Mayfield, Chagrin Falls Football, 7-on-7, June 19, 2024
