Mayabb turns heads in first start for Swashbucklers
Last Modified: Sunday, June 17, 2012 9:54 PM
By Jim Gazzolo / American Press
With his first pass Saturday night, Chris Mayabb raised a few eyebrows.
His second throw started to turn a few more heads.
With his third throw, he had every everybody inside the Lake Charles Civic Center talking.
By the end of the night Mayabb had them all dreaming of the possibilities.
Making his first start at quarterback for the Swashbucklers, Mayabb was so impressive he made himself a real option to see major playing time in the upcoming playoffs.
“He put his name in the mix,” said Bucs head coach Darnell Lee.
While not going as far as naming him the starter, Lee was all smiles after Mayabb led the Swashbucklers to a 75-70 win over Alabama in the regular season finale. Now they will get ready to travel to Richmond for a playoff game a week from today.
“Chris was very impressive,” Lee said. “For a guy to come in here, under these circumstances and making his first start, you have to be impressed. He definitely gives us something to think about.”
Mayabb’s first three passes against the Hammers went for touchdown in just seven minutes of game action. He would finish the night 19 of 26 for 289 yards and eight touchdowns.
“It really helped getting off to a fast start,” Mayabb said. “When your first throw goes for a score, you can relax.”
Mayabb was most impressive in the first half, leading the Bucs to 48 points with six of his eight touchdown throws to four different receivers. He finished that half 12 of 15 for 185 yards, guiding Louisiana to TDs on all seven of its possessions on just 18 plays.
“We had everything clicking,” Mayabb said. “That is what this offense can do. We have a lot of talent and we had it going.”
Mainly it was Mayabb who had things going. He made touch passes, shorts passes and even threw balls on a string into tight windows.
“Chris made all the throws we needed,” Lee said. “He looked in control.”
Injuries and inconsistent play at quarterback has been a problem for the Bucs (6-6), who have won three of their last four games.
“We are playing pretty good right now,” Lee said. “We want to carry this momentum into the playoffs.”
But who will carry the load at quarterback when the postseason beings is the real question now.
Season starter Alvin Bartie has been injured, missing most of the season with a knee and head injury. Freddie Harrison has been, like the team, good and bad at times during the season.
So the club continues to look for constant play at QB, Mayabb may have become an answer.
If nothing else, his play Saturday gave the Bucs brass something to talk about.
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