TAVARES — The DJ Mayo era at Atlantic High School begin in victorious fashion on Monday night.
Maximus Campbell caught two long touchdowns, and Ty Berrong notched a pair of sacks and and two interceptions as the Sharks defeated host Tavares, 21-8, in spring game action. Both rising juniors attended neighboring Spruce Creek in the fall, while Mayo served as the defensive coordinator.
While Spruce Creek went to the playoffs, Atlantic endured its second 0-10 campaign in three years.
"These kids were told all year how bad they were," Mayo said. "I was told I was crazy for taking this job. … We believe that it can be done.
"It's just relief. I'm happy for the kids. They're the ones who were called, 'Sorry;' they're the ones who were called names, they're the ones who were told they shouldn't be out here."
Originally scheduled for a March 16 kickoff in Port Orange, the game went off without a hitch despite rain across Central Florida.
Max effort
Campbell turned in a monster outing in his Sharks debut.
The 6-foot-4, 175-pound receiver caught nine passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were longer than 40 yards. By comparison, he caught only 11 balls for 169 yards in an injury-riddled 2017 campaign at Spruce Creek.
"I was nervous until I got on the field," Campbell said. "I was nervous that I wasn't ready to play or in game shape, but once I got onto the field with the team, I did what I could for them."
With a double-digit target night, Campbell could very well be the focal point of the Sharks offense come fall, and a threat to be among the area's leading receivers.
Fourth-down factor
Berrong made his biggest plays of the night on the so-called money downs.
The All-Area first-team pick, who claims offers from Florida, North Carolina and UCF among others, halted Tavares' early momentum with an interception on a 4th-and-18 pass from the Sharks' 28-yard line.
Berrong's second sack came in the third quarter, chasing down Christopher Thompson on a fourth-down rollout. He stopped the Bulldogs short in the fourth, stacking up Lemuel Miller on a 4th-and-2 inside the red zone.
He polished off the Tavares comeback by stepping in front of a short screen pass for his second pick, albeit on a 3rd-and-long. Berrong wants to become one of the key voices on the field going forward.
"I'm always loose. I feel like I always bring a lot of energy to the table," Berrong said. "I pump myself up, and pump up everybody around me."
Fresh start
The Sharks utilized 10 freshmen in the starting lineup, including quarterback Aaron Manning, who attempted only 27 passes last season.
Manning tossed both touchdowns, and could have potentially had more, missing Berrong high on a couple of shots toward the end zone. He finished 11 of 22 for 148 yards with one interception and 21 rushing yards.
Mayo said he started three freshman offensive linemen as well. By contrast, he dressed only three rising seniors — running back/defensive back Guyvin Williams, offensive lineman Jacob Slover and wide receiver Logan Howington.