You play how you practice, they say, and senior quarterback Nick Mayfield embraces that philosophy for Eisenhower.
Stop by a practice during the week, and you’ll see his teammates looking to him for direction. But more importantly, for vocal leadership.
They get both, and that was apparent Friday night for the Cardinals in a 54-0 South Suburban Red victory over Reavis.
“I tell them before every practice, if we play fast, they can’t stop us,” said Mayfield, who transferred last January to Eisenhower from Hillcrest. “We played fast all week. The entire week was super competitive.
“Offense wanted to win every day, defense wanted to win.”
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Mayfield, who possesses a strong arm and even faster legs, posted all-Madden numbers Friday. That’s not coincidental because he’s a huge fan of the classic video game and plays it competitively.
A dual threat, Mayfield completed 6 of 10 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns to lead Eisenhower (5-3, 3-2). Two of those TD passes went to senior receiver AJ Abrams.
Mayfield also ran seven times for 120 yards and a pair of TDs against Reavis (4-4, 3-2) as the Cardinals became playoff eligible. A win Friday against Oak Lawn clinches a spot.
Eisenhower coach Sheamus Murphy said he characterizes a good practice as intensity in three phases — focus, effort and attitude. Mayfield excelled in all three areas last week.
Friday night was the payoff.
“Nick had a really good week of practice,” Murphy said. “He came out and played a near-perfect game.”
Abrams thought so, too.
“He was real locked in,” Abrams said. “When I saw Nick at practice, I saw him focused and ready. Nick is very vocal at practice. If he sees someone playing around, he’ll tell them, ‘Lock in. We’ve got a game this week.'”
That ability to be vocal is a potent complement to his ability to run and pass. It was his plan in going to Eisenhower after three seasons at powerful Hillcrest.
But there’s a nuance to leadership as well.
“Coming into a new program with new teammates, you have to put your foot down,” he said. “I had to establish I’m a leader of the team. I can tell you what you’re doing wrong but not beat you up.”
Mayfield credited Greg Holcomb, the renowned quarterback coach from Next Level Athletix, as helping him develop his physical skills for high school as he shifted from receiver to quarterback.
Holcomb, according to Mayfield, helped him learn to make dynamic plays as well as how to keep a play alive when things break down.
Meanwhile, Holcomb is proud of what Mayfield has been achieving.
“He’s an impressive-sized kid,” Holcomb said. “He came to me as a really good athlete and not a great passer but decent and just kind of evolved from there.
“He’s very fast. I think what you’re seeing in today’s quarterback space is you better be one of the better athletes on the field. You’d better be able to make plays with your legs and arm, and Nick is in that category.”
Murphy said that college interest in Mayfield is growing. He already has an offer from NCAA Division II Minnesota State-Mankato but is drawing looks from FCS schools like South Dakota, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois.
The recruiting process has been speeding up, Mayfield pointed out. It’s stressful to a certain degree, but it’s becoming fun knowing he’ll be playing at the next level.
He has specific criteria for where he wants to end up. He plans on studying digital media.
“I’m looking for a home,” Mayfield said, “somewhere with a sense of family in the football program. Being away from home, I’d need a coach that’s family-oriented.”
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.