The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT has been a seamless transition from the basketball court to the football gridiron for Mavin Saunders and, now in his senior season of high school, the Florida State commit looks to hone his skills before he advances to the collegiate level.

In three games this season, Saunders has helped his Kinkaid Falcons (Houston, Texas) to a 3-0 record in Texas’ Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC).

The 6’6” 230 pound tight end has three touchdowns on the season thus far and has emerged as a popular red-zone target for junior quarterback JT Granato.

In his latest outing, Saunders caught five passes for 25 yards, including a touchdown, in a 42-20 win over Houston Christian Mustangs (Houston, Texas), on September 12.

In week two, a 39-38 thriller over Bellville Brahmas (Houston, Texas), Saunders caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown on September 6.

The Falcons trailed by two touchdowns in the second half, but scored 22 points to force overtime.

Granato threw for 451 yards and four touchdowns on 35-60 passing.

Junior wide receiver Samuel Mays had seven receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown and senior Jacob Matthews had 15 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

In the season opener on August 30, Saunders hauled in another score for the Falcons in a non-conference season opener, a 36-14 win over the St Pius X Panthers (Houston, Texas).

Following the trio of non-conference games, Saunders and the Falcons are slated to open play this weekend in the SPC South Zone.

The Falcons are perennial favourites in the SPC after winning the league titles in three out of the last five seasons.

It was a busy off-season for Saunders as he made the shift completely toward football.

The Falcons were one of just two teams to play in both the Division II Public and Privates and Private School state tournaments.

Kinkaid is ranked 347th in the nation, 50th in the state and second in both the region and the state division.

In June, Saunders committed to the FSU Seminoles for the class of 2014. He chose Florida State over Arkansas, Houston, Illinois, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas Tech and Utah.

Speaking with the Tribune in the off-season, Saunders looked ahead to the improvements he hoped to make in his second year of football.

“I know I have a lot of catching up to do in football. Right now I’m relying on using my size and athleticism to get ahead because there are not a lot of guys my size with my skill set so I feel like I have a lot to offer. The more I learn the better I’m going to become, I’m just committed to working hard and getting better at this point,” Saunders said.

As one of the most imposing receivers on the field for the Falcons, Saunders helped the team to an 8-3 record and a playoff run in the SPC. He totalled 40 receptions for 505 yards and six touchdowns in his first season. His average of 12.63 yards per catch finished second on the team.

Saunders was honoured with a preseason award by The Touchdown Club of Houston headed into the 2013-14 season. He was named a member of the second annual All-Greater Houston Preseason Private High School Football team.