By Mike London
mlondon@salisburypost.com
Area college update …
In 2005, Jonathan Mayfield became the first 1,000-yard receiver in Davie history, accounting for an astounding 68 catches and scoring 12 touchdowns.
He hauled in TD passes of 97 and 99 yards as a senior, and those tend to help the stats. He finished his career with an eight-grab playoff game against a powerhouse Independence club.
A late-bloomer who was an excellent student, Mayfield headed to Richmond confident he’d continued to receive footballs as well as accolades.
His career as a wideout hasn’t worked out the way people thought it would, but he found his niche as a special-teams standout for the top-ranked team in the FCS ranks.
A junior who redshirted in 2006, Mayfield scored a TD in 2007 on a blocked punt and picked up his second TD early this season ó again on a blocked punt ó as Richmond beat Duke. Given Duke’s current three-game ACC winning streak, Richmond’s 24-16 victory over the Blue Devils looks a lot more impressive now than it did that first week of September.
On Saturday, Mayfield was at it again, turning in a game-changing play on special teams in a 42-14 win against Towson.
In the third quarter, Richmond’s lead was a precarious 21-14 on the road at Johnny Unitas Stadium, but Towson opted to fake a punt on fourth down from its 18.
The snap was off target, and it was Mayfield that recovered the ball on the Towson 3. The Spiders scored on the next play, and the rout was officially on.
Mayfield is in his fourth year at Richmond. He’s still waiting for his first reception, but that FCS championship ring on his finger makes everything worthwhile.
n Frankie Cardelle (Salisbury) kicked two field goals and six PATs for North Carolina Central in Saturday’s homecoming romp against Central State.
The freshman is 9-for-18 on field goals and has been perfect on 22 PAT tries. He leads the Eagles with 49 points.
n Derek Davis (South Rowan) made two tackles for UNC Pembroke as the Braves, ranked 21st nationally in D-II entering the weekend, won easily on the road in Frostburg, Md.
n Aaron Cauble (East Rowan) made a tackle for Catawba in Saturday’s 7-6 loss at Brevard. Calvin Hall (NW Cabarrus) made three tackles for the Indians. ReShaun Parks (Davie) made a stop for Brevard.
n Corner Raeshon McNeil (Davie) made a tackle for Notre Dame in a 40-14 romp against Washington State.
n Virginia Union’s Hurley Hemphill (NWC) and Jay Bostick (NWC) combined for 14 tackles in Saturday’s 21-13 loss to Elizabeth City State.
n Coastal Carolina’s Ben Erdman (West Rowan) had a chance to play at Clemson on Saturday. The Chanticleers were on the wrong end of a 49-3 score, but Erdman punted well ó averaging 36 yards on eight boots. Ryan Boehm (Davie) started at center for Coastal.
n Safety Justin McCauley (A.L. Brown) made two tackles for Averett in a 24-22 win against Shenandoah on Saturday.
n Jonathan Efird (A.L. Brown) is a backup quarterback at Western Carolina. The Catamounts traveled to Chattanooga, the city where Efird was born, on Saturday. Chattanooga won 24-20.
n Wingate’s Phillip Hilliard (Salisbury) averaged 42.4 yards on five punts in Saturday’s loss to Carson-Newman.
Josh Patch (East) made three tackles for the Bulldogs.
n Brantley Horton (West) played on special teams and at wide receiver for the Navy Prep School team.
Horton and other Midshipmen candidates got to march into Memorial Stadium to watch Saturday’s Navy-Temple game.