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West Catholic's Raymond Maples bolster's Army's rushing attack

Army's Raymond Maples says life at West Point is "an eye-opening experience." MIKE GROLL / AP

By Keith Pompey, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: November 17, 2012

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army's Raymond Maples says he now sees life differently.

Growing up near 52d Street and Baltimore Avenue, Maples said he never really experienced life outside of Philadelphia.

"Being here opened my eyes up to different cultures and different experiences," the junior running back said of life at West Point. "And I just have a greater appreciation for the smaller things in life."

A systems engineering management major, Maples will be a second lieutenant in the Army when he graduates. It is something the West Catholic High graduate never envisioned growing up.

"It didn't really start clicking until, like, last year what my future would look like," said Maples, whose Black Knights (2-8) will play Temple (3-6) on Saturday at Michie Stadium. "It's an eye-opening experience. I never thought I would be here."

Army leads the nation in rushing yards at 366.1 per game and Maples has played a part in that. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has run for 965 yards and two touchdowns this season in the Black Knights' triple-option offense. He is on pace to run for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons.

Maples, nicknamed Syrup, ranks fifth all-time at Army with nine 100-yard rushing performances.

He is ninth on the Black Knights' career rushing list with 2,239 yards. This year Maples became the first Army player to rush for at least 100 yards in three games to open the season since Akili King in 1993.

No bad for someone who had very few Football Bowl Subdivision scholarship offers coming out of West Catholic.

"Honestly, I'm just trying to do the best that I can to help my team," Maples said. "I'm not trying to prove anything."

Temple at Army

Saturday at noon, Michie Stadium, West Point, N.Y.

Records: Temple, 3-6; Army 2-8.

TV/Radio: CBS Sports Network; WPHT-AM (1210).

Coaches: Temple, Steve Addazio (second season, 12-9); Army, Rich Ellerson (fourth season at Army, 17-30; 77-71 overall)

Series: Temple leads, 5-4, and has won the last four meetings.

Betting line: Army by 31/2.

Three things to watch

Who will start at quarterback for Temple? The Owls will name Juice Granger or Chris Coyer the starting quarterback on Saturday morning. The two redshirt juniors and classmate Kevin Newsome battled this week for the starting position. Coyer started the first nine games but has struggled mightily.

Keep a close eye on Owls tailback Montel Harris. The Boston College transfer reinjured his left knee in last Saturday's game against Cincinnati. How effective will he be against Army?

Can the Owls contain Black Knights quarterback Trent Steelman? The senior leads Army's option attack with 1,013 rushing yards and 13 TDs. He has rushed for 100-plus in each of the last four games.

Three things you might not know

Army running back Raymond Maples and left guard Frank Allen are from the Philadelphia area. Maples, a West Philadelphia native, is a West Catholic graduate. Allen, a Palmyra native, is a Holy Cross graduate.

Temple running backs coach Tyree Foreman was Army's assistant running backs coach from 2004 to '06.

Andy Heater, the son of Owls defensive coordinator Chuck Heater, is an Airborne Army Ranger. - Keith Pompey

Contact Keith Pompey at kpompey@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @pompeysgridlock.