Episcopal Academy’s Maurcus McDaniel is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The senior quarterback has accounted for 23 touchdowns and more than 1,800 yards of total offense (as of Oct. 21) for the Churchmen (7-0), including a gutty two-point conversion in the final 22 seconds that enabled EA to come from behind to defeat Springside Chestnut Hill 35-34 last weekend. His play on defense also has been vital to the Churchmens’ success this fall. “Maurcus is very smart, competitive and tough,” said EA football head coach Todd Fairlie. “He plays fast and is always physical.” In the winter, McDaniel plays point guard for the EA boys’ basketball squad.
Q: Have you always played quarterback since you began playing football?
A: I started playing football in 7th grade for the Springfield Youth Club in Delaware County, where I actually was a running back for the first few games until I eventually got my groove going to become a quarterback.
Q: Who is your favorite quarterback and why?
A: My favorite quarterback currently is Russell Wilson because of his quick decision making and ability to make bigger plays because of his legs and eyes downfield.
Q: Tell us a little about your off-season training. What aspect of your play did you work on the most during the off-season?
A: During this off-season I really keyed in on my timing and picking my reads against defenses, meaning the ways I should adjust plays or my throw based on where the defense is, or has to be.
Q: Which of your touchdowns this fall stands out most in your memory? Can you tell us a little regarding how that touchdown play developed, and your role in it?
A: I would say that the touchdown pass to Malcolm Folk against Penn Charter was definitely one that stands out the most in memory as it was just a moment of great trust between Malcolm and I, and it just put on display our entire team’s willingness to never give up.
Q: Who have been your biggest football mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I would say that Coach [Todd] Fairlie and our quarterback coach, Coach Ward, have given me great insight on what it takes to be a great quarterback vs. a good quarterback. But not only them, but also my parents, who have always pushed me to make smart decisions on the field. All of these guys taught me what it means to always play like the best player on the field at every moment possible.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 10 for EA. Is there a reason you picked this number – does it have any significance to you?
A: I’ve always worn No. 10 throughout my sports career as it has always been special, when growing up not many people had the number and I wanted to be different. But one day I saw the hashtag #10VE and it really got me stuck where I took the phrase as always being dedicated to the game.
Q: What is your favorite course at EA? What do you think you might like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite course at EA is History as we continue to learn about the government, politics, and things which could dramatically affect us in the future which most people don’t know about. For college I would like to major in Architecture, as the world in the future will revolve around projects on designed buildings.
Fun facts – Maurcus McDaniel
Favorite book: The Twilight Zone.
Favorite author: Dr. Seuss.
Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead.
Favorite movie: Inception.
Favorite athlete: Kevin Durant.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Ultralight Beam.
Favorite teams: Eagles, Sixers.
Favorite place to visit: Florida.
Favorite pre-game meal: Chicken cutlet.
Person I most admire, and why: “My parents, they get my admiration as they work so hard for all of their family members and myself to make sure that I have what I need whenever I ask, or even if I don’t. They taught me so much about the things you can’t teach, heart and desire, and I thank them for that.”
Family members: parents Maurice McDaniel and Frances Weightman, younger sister Emiah, older sister Iyona.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here
