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Truckee grad entering huge rivalry game

Sylas Wright
Sierra Sun
Truckee High grad Jamie Maehler catches a pass during a 62-7 Army rout of the Virginia Military Institute on Oct. 7.
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Jamie Maehler is set to take part in history ” a long, storied history with a reputation as one of the most fierce rivalries in sports. Come Saturday, the 2005 Truckee High grad and his Army football team will square off against arch rival Navy for the 107th time, dating back to 1890.

Maehler, a sophomore and one of 18 receivers on the Army roster, has worked his way up the depth chart to the point of appearing in three games this season.

“He earned the time. He worked his way in there,” Dan Baranik, wide receivers coach at Army, said of Maehler, who was No. 5 on the depth chart at season’s end last year and No. 3 at the beginning of this season.



“I think the world of Jamison,” the coach continued. “He’s going to be a very good player for us, and we’re real excited about him.”

Maehler has three catches for 34 yards ” an 11.3-yard average ” in the three games he has played. And Baranik expects more production to come.



“Physically, he’s a tall, fast, good route-running receiver. He has a bright future here at Army,” he said, adding that Maehler has impressed coaches this year with his comprehension of Army’s complex offensive system, as well as his ability to haul in passes thrown in his direction. “He’s caught the attention of coach (Bobby) Ross, so we expect bigger and better things from him in the future.”

Baranik said Maehler may or may not see game time on Saturday.

“I don’t know if he’ll play but he’s doing a good job and is progressing well,” he said.

Maehler could not be reached for comment on Thursday, which was a travel day for the Black Knights to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. There, a sellout crowd in excess of 68,000 is expected for the annual contest.

And what a contest it’s been.

Dating back to 1890, according to the Army Web site, Navy leads the 106-game series by a count of 50-49-7, with a slim point differential of 214 points ” an average of 2 points per game.

Had the Midshipmen not outscored the Black Knights 176-54 the past four meetings, including a 42-23 victory last season, 42-13 in 2004, 34-6 in 2003 and 58-12 in 2002, the differential would be even less.

Army (3-8) again will have its hands full against an 8-3 Navy team averaging more than 333 rushing yard per game and having already secured an appearance in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

But while the Midshipmen have won seven of the last nine match-ups, the Black Knights have come out on top in 11 of the last 20 games, and seven of the last 14.

Saturday’s 107th Army-Navy meeting will be telecast nationally and worldwide by CBS Sports. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m. PST.

Two-time first team all-state selection … established seven conference and school records on single game, season and career levels in receiving department … graduated with conference-record (Nevada 3A) 2,969 career receiving yards … set league single-season standard with 1,223 receiving yards as a junior … established school standard with 11 career touchdown receptions … became first player in Nevada football history to register a 200-yard receiving game … piled up single-game record 227 receiving yards in date against Sparks High during junior season … three-year letterwinner at wingback position … served as team captain as a senior … helped team to 3A Nevada State championship that year … earned four additional varsity letters in basketball … also lettered once in track and field … captained both programs during busy senior year … all-state post selection on hardwood … voted league’s most valuable player …

” Info from 2006 Army program


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