Lindside –
Team: James Monroe
2024 Recap
James Monroe once again proved its resiliency as a program, rebounding from an 0-2 start to finish the 2024 regular season 7-3. That record was enough for a spot in the playoffs where the Mavericks pushed eventual semifinalist Independence, leading their playoff matchup 17-14 at the half.
The Mavericks graduated three-year starting QB Layton Dowdy and all-state lineman Brady Baker.
2025 Outlook
While Dowdy was the starter at QB, he wasn’t the only player to take snaps there. Returning senior Ryan Mann attempted 37 passes, throwing for 255 yards. He ultimately served as a utility player that ran for 330 yards and had 246 yards receiving.
He’ll take the bulk of the snaps at QB, and will be complemented by a standout athlete in Kadyn Hines who should slot in as his top receiver after hauling in 15 passes for 238 yards last season.
“Ryan carried the ball some for us last year and was a good receiver for us,” head coach John Mustain said. “He did a lot of things for us even if it wasn’t all at quarterback. Behind him we’ve got Jayden Miller and I can see some situations where Jayden’s going to get out there and we can put Ryan in different players like we did Evan Beasley.”
Replacing the departed starters on the offensive line, led by Baker, is one of Mustain’s biggest concerns, though.
“We didn’t have a big senior class,” Mustain said. “I think we only had seven but every one of them played a role. We’re going to have a lot of kids returning but on the line in particular we’re going to be young. I think they can do the job but your first year starting you’re learning and may not see the results you want until that second year sometimes.
“We did have a busy summer though. We went to three 7-on-7s and that’s a lot of fun, seeing what your kids can do.”
During summer activities, Mustain has been impressed by his team’s ability in the passing game.
“I’m definitely a person who would rather be run-oriented and run dominant,” Mustain said. “We have so many kids that can put together a receiving core – so many that I’m concerned about getting time for all of them. It’s different once you get the pads on them but I see a lot of kids that can help us out. Kadyn, is different but he’s very, very similar to Eli in what he can do.”
In the backfield Brock Parker and Ben Comer will lead a committee of backs that Mustian is high on.
The Mavericks have one of the more difficult schedules in Class AA, featuring Class AAA schools Greenbrier East and Shady Spring, Class A semifinalist Tug Valley, 2022 and ’23 Class A champion Williamstown and perennial power Bluefield.
“(Independence head coach) John Lilly said something to me one time that makes a lot of sense,” Mustain said. “You can’t schedule yourself into the playoffs and if you try to do that you’ll get blistered in that first round. And I’m not trying to take anything away from making the playoffs – I’ve made the playoffs seven times I think – but you don’t want to just make the playoffs, you want to make some noise.”
James Monroe will open the season against Williamstown on Saturday, August. 30 at Roane County High School.
| 1 | 08/30/25 | 2:00PM | A – | WILLIAMSTOWN | – | |||
| 2 | 09/05/25 | 7:00 PM | A – | SHADY SPRING | – | |||
| 3 | 09/12/25 | 7:00PM | H – | BLUEFIELD | – | |||
| 4 | 09/19/25 | 7:00 PM | H – | LIBERTY (RALEIGH) | – | |||
| 5 | 09/26/25 | 7:00 PM | A – | NARROWS , VA H.S. | – | |||
| 6 | 10/10/25 | 7:00 PM | A – | GREENBRIER WEST | – | |||
| 7 | 10/17/25 | 7:00PM | H – | MIDLAND TRAIL HIGH SCHOOL | – | |||
| 8 | 10/24/25 | 7:00 PM | A – | WESTSIDE | – | |||
| 9 | 10/31/25 | 7:00PM | A – | GREENBRIER EAST | – | |||
| 10 | 11/07/25 | 7:00PM | H – | TUG VALLEY |
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