Maurice Falls has been
part of the South Point High School football program since his freshman
year. But it wasn't until 2008 as a junior that Falls developed into a
special player, according to head coach John Devine.
“Maurice is one of those
late bloomers,'' Devine said. “Actually, his first year starting was
last year. He's one of those kids whose body outgrew his feet for a
while. He could always run, but a lot of his change of direction and
agility didn't mature until last fall.''
The development turned
Falls into an All-Big South 3-A Conference selection as a junior. The
6-foot-3, 220-pounder collected 66 tackles, including 11 sacks, while
playing his first season at defensive end for the Red Raiders.
East Carolina began
recruiting Falls a short time later and eventually received a verbal
commitment from him in July. But that interest began only after the
Pirates missed connecting with Falls the first time around.
Devine said ECU receivers
coach and recruiting coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick visited South Point
early last spring to check on potential prospects. But it happened to be
the only day all year that Falls wasn't in school.
A video highlight tape
sent of Falls' junior season sent by Devine eventually reached
Kirkpatrick, who then made a return trip to Belmont in May.
“That happened to be the
day Athletic Republic (sports training) from Charlotte was speed timing
all my kids,'' Devine said. “Coach Kirkpatrick walked up and saw Maurice
running a 4.5 and 4.52 (40-yard dash). That was on grass in football
shoes.
“Coach Kirkpatrick poked
me in the side and said, 'I'll see you later. I'm going to talk to that
boy.' He offered him (Falls) a full ride before he left to go back to
Greenville.''
Falls had also been
offered scholarships by Navy and N.C. A&T, plus Duke was starting to
show interest. But ECU's coaching staff made a strong impression on
Falls.
“I developed a strong
relationship with Coach Kirkpatrick and (defensive end) Coach (Vernon)
Hargreaves,'' Falls said. “I just felt comfortable with them. It's
pretty much like a family up there at East Carolina.''
Falls said the Pirates
could use him as a defensive end or outside linebacker, the latter of
which would be another in a long line of positions he's played the last
three years.
After playing quarterback
for a championship middle school squad in the eighth grade, Falls began
his high school career on the varsity as a wide receiver. But he was
soon sent back down to the junior varsity to play quarterback.
From there Falls was
shifted from safety to cornerback, back to safety and finally defensive
end last year.
“When I went to defensive
end, I knew I had the size to be good at that position,'' Falls said. “I
just used my speed and tried to [make] big plays for our defense.''
Devine recalls vividly two
of the biggest plays Falls made last season.
“We were playing T.W.
Andrews in the second round (of playoffs) last year and we called a
little stunt inside for him,'' Devine said. “They were running an inside
veer or option. He got there at the mesh point, knocked the ball loose
and picked it up.
“Then, in the the third
round against Asheville, we were ahead 7-0 or something in the third
quarter. He comes in on a pass rush and knocks the ball loose. We get a
turnover off of it.
“He probably made 100
other plays like that. That was routine for him as a pass rusher. He
doesn't let the quarterback sit back there and relax.''
But as good as Falls was
in 2008, Devine believes even greater performances are ahead.
“I think he'll probably
grow another two or three inches and gain 20 more pounds,'' Devine said.
“The sky is the limit for him. He's only going to get stronger, faster
and tougher as a football player.
“We're just so tickled for
Maurice. He's a hard worker in the classroom and a great citizen off the
field. He's a great example for young kids. I'm proud he'll be able to
take advantage of this offer because his grades are very good.''
Falls is such a good
student that he plans to graduate from South Point in December and
enroll at ECU in January so he can participate in spring football
practice.
“That's the plan,'' he
said. “I want to get up there for spring practice and become a Pirate as
soon as possible.''
The commitment from Falls
increased ECU's recruiting Class of 2010 to nine. Falls is the sixth
North Carolinian to join the class.