The Maclay Middle School football team has made a dramatic turnaround this season, going from a 0–6 record a year ago to 4–1 through its first five games this fall.
The Marauders have put together four wins, including three shutouts and double-digit victories, while building a team culture that coaches say has been a major factor in the turnaround.
Maclay opened the season with an 18–12 win over Aucilla Christian before traveling to North Florida Christian and earning a 32–0 shutout. The Marauders followed that performance with another win over NFC, this time 32–12 at home.
Maclay then traveled to face FAMU DRS and continued its strong start with a 38–8 victory.
The team suffered its first loss of the season in its most recent game, falling 38–0 to Franklin County. Despite the loss, Maclay’s improvement from last season remains significant.
Coach Jarod Bates, the only returning coach from last year’s staff, has coached the offensive and defensive lines and has had a front-row view of the team’s transformation.
Bates said the biggest difference between this year’s team and last year’s group has been the attitude and culture surrounding the program.
The additions of Head Coach Jim McNeill and Offensive Coordinator Mike Rodrique have helped establish what Bates described as a positive and upbeat atmosphere, while also raising expectations for the players.
The Marauders have continued to work and improve throughout the season, with Bates pointing to the team’s effort and willingness to embrace the coaching staff’s expectations as key reasons for the turnaround.
Maclay has two regular-season games remaining, both against Holy Comforter. The first will be played at home on October 8, followed by an away game on October 13.
With two games still remaining, Maclay has already accomplished something the program could not do at all last season: put together a winning record.
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