Monday, February 8, 2010

Sunflower League All-Decade Team: Maurice Mack

Name: Maurice Mack
School: Olathe North
Graduated: 2002
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 195lbs.
Position: Athlete


The legacy of great running backs at Olathe North did not stop with the graduation of Darren Sproles--by any means. Instead the torch was passed on to Maurice Mack. Mack could have been on the list at a variety of positions. Defensive back or running back would have been suitable, but given the combined statistics, Mack fits nicely at the athlete position.

As a junior in 2000, Mack was a starting defensive back, returner, and backed up Sproles at the running back position. That team, perhaps the best Sunflower Conference team of the decade, was led in part by Mack’s numerous contributions. The junior added 979 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, in addition to recording several interceptions. The Eagles went on to win the 6A State championship in 2000.

In 2001 Mack took over as the starting running back while continuing to start as a defensive back. His efforts were well documented. Olathe North rolled through the season and the playoffs going 11-0. The state title game was set against Manhattan, a team Olathe North had crushed 42-7 the previous year.

Early in the game Mack fumbled a punt which was recovered by Manhattan and quickly converted into a touchdown. Trailing 7-0, Mack and the Eagles stepped up to take control of the game. Mack went on to rush for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries. He also threw a touchdown pass in the third quarter to put Olathe North up 21-7, which ended up being the final score.

With the win Mack and his fellow seniors collected their second state championship ring. Mack went on to be Mr. Everything accolades wise in Kansas City thereafter. For the season he rushed for 2,089 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also threw three touchdown passes and collected four interceptions on defense, giving him nine interceptions for his career. Mack was named All-State Class 6A, Kansas Top 11, KC Metro Sports Offensive Player of the Year, and was awarded the prestigious Simone Award as the top player in Kansas City. Following his time at Olathe North Mack went to play at Kansas State. He was converted to the linebacker position where he was a two year starter for the Wildcats.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

why did people think Mack was a great athlete? he wasn't a dominate player like sproles was.

Anonymous said...

I had a friend play at ksate said Mack was the best athlete on the team

Anonymous said...

Mack was a stud your an idiot. He was one of the best
CB prospects that year. played both ways something some other ON rb greats never did and still put up dominating stats

Anonymous said...

Mack was a stud your an idiot. He was one of the best
CB prospects that year. played both ways something some other ON rb greats never did and still put up dominating stats

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me......the best athlete on the K-State team full of D1 athletes?????? Give me a break. Mack was an at most average back with little than ok speed, I mean he ran a 4.6 in high school. The eason why he played both ways was because Gene Wier couldn't trust Mack playing only offense, that defense was dominant enough without Mack on it. You guys are rediculous, MACK WAS NOT GOOD AT ALL!

Unknown said...

WOW...really people, well I guess its time to join in on the debate about....me!
1.) No doubt Darren was the more complete RB, we were 2 different players, but the same results were almost just the same. I was more like Eddie George and DS was like Barry Sanders, different style of RB, but almost the same results came when they played, hell they both won the Heisman!
2.) I was more of the athlete, meaning if you put me in any sport, I would excel in it. Hence me playing both ways, I wanted to do play both ways, the rest of my teammates did it....so what!! It made me a better player and now a better coach from that experience.
3.) I may have ran a 4.5 in HS, but when I stepped on the field I ran the same with EVRTYTHING ON, I felt a bit faster than people who waid they ran a 4.5/4.4/or what ever. Players should never get slower when they put the pads on to play. My "game speed" was where it needed to be, cause like mny who tried, they had one hell of a hard time trying to tackle me.

EagleFreshman said...

tell 'em Coach Mack!

EagleFreshman said...

All-State Class 6A, Kansas Top 11, KC Metro Sports Offensive Player of the Year, and was awarded the prestigious Simone Award... does that mean nothing?

Eagle1stGoodMexican haha said...

Coach Mack Was A Hell OF A Player And Hes A hell Of A COach IF YOu Wanna Say AnythinG Say It To HIs Face Or Mine Homeboy. Cuz I dont TAke Disrespect Great So Come On Bro Stop Posting Your Crap IF U Aint Got Good Shit TO Say

Anonymous said...

Coach Mack is right him and DS were two different players: DS would run around you, Coach Mack would run at you...end of convo