Key victories, new coach lead team to 8-2 record

The Winston-Salem State football team finished its first season back in the CIAA with a stellar performance. In his first season as head coach, Connell Maynor led the Rams to an 8-2 record. This season marks the first finish over .500 since 2006 and their best record since 2003.

"This was a successful season by win-loss ratio," said Head Coach Maynor.

"The alumni wanted us to get wins against N.C. A&T, N.C. Central, and at homecoming. We were just glad to deliver."

The Rams offense improved in every way by scoring more touchdowns and  nearly tripling their scoring from 2009 from 12.5 to 37.1 points per game.

The defense also stepped up its play. They not only cut down on the amount of points they gave up from 22.2 to 15.6, they also cut down the yardage against them as well from 300 to 245 yards per game.  

With the success that the team saw this season, the target on the Rams backs for the 2011 season is going to be huge.

"We will get a lot of respect next year because of our success."

"We won't sneak up on anyone next year," Maynor said.

The Rams began the season winning their first six games and outscoring their opponents 230-78. This season also marked the first time that the Rams defeated NCCU and N. C. A&T in the same season since 2007.

"Both games were nail biters and it felt good to come away with the victories," said Kayvone Spriggs, sophomore running back.

"Those games meant even more to the seniors and juniors because it was their last time playing against those teams."

Even with all of the success this season, the Rams still had two costly losses on their record. The losses took the Rams out of contention for the CIAA championship and also the Division II playoffs.

"If you ask the coaching staff, they will tell you that this season was a disappointment because we wanted to win the CIAA and have a chance to win the national championship," Maynor said.

The Rams are losing key pieces to a defense that finished first in the CIAA in both total defense and rushing defense: They are defensive linemen Juan Corders and Akeem Ward, linebacker Shawn Kearny;  defensive backs Marvin Bohannon and Jared Mitchell.

 "We have to fill in the holes," Maynor said.

"You have players who graduate or transfer. It's all a part of the game."

Ten starters are returning to an offense that was ranked in the top three in every statistical category in the CIAA this season. They will be riding the arm of quarterback Kameron Smith and the legs of running back Nicholas Cooper, who both had career seasons.