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Virginia High School Football's Top-Ranked Maury Scores 82 Points in Victory

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez10/19/24lawandfern
Maury Commodores edge rusher Ari Watford (EJ Holland/On3)
Maury Commodores edge rusher Ari Watford (EJ Holland/On3)

Last week, the Maury Commodores unleashed an offensive juggernaut on the Manor Mustangs, scoring 97 points while keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. For an encore, the top-ranked team in the Virginia high school football rankings poured on 82 points while shutting down the visiting Booker T. Washington Mighty Bookers on Oct. 18.

The On3 Massey Ratings—officially used during the BCS era and generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995—rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

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The Commodores were hell-bent on keeping the game out of the winless Mighty Bookers’ hands by scoring 30 first-quarter points. Maury was in attack mode, even on special teams, opening up the scoring via a kick return touchdown.

Quarterback Au’tori Newkirk completed three touchdown passes in the first frame alone to settle the outcome early on. By halftime, the Commodores added 38 more points to lead by 68. Defeating the Mighty Bookers gives Maury their seventh consecutive victory this season, solidifying their stake to compete for the state championship.

Meanwhile, scoring 179 points in two games solidifies Maury’s position as the Virginia high school football’s best offensive squad, per the state’s On3 Massey Ratings. Likewise, earning their third shutout victory in their last four games puts them second in the defensive rankings.

The Commodores have a stellar defensive unit led by four-star prospect and Clemson commit Ari Watford, the 11th-best edge rusher in the nation based on the On3 Industry Ranking. They also have four-star safety Kendall Daniels, a South Carolina commit.

Meanwhile, touted linebackers Isaiah Simmons and CJ Smith elevate their defensive tenacity. Conversely, the Commodores have a star on offense in wide receiver LeBron Bond, who committed to Indiana.

With these players leading the way, the Maury Commodores’ journey to another state title continues by visiting the 2-5 Norview Pilots on Oct. 25. After which, they will close out the 2024 Virginia high school football regular season with a road game versus Churchland before hosting Granby on Nov. 8.