Moving Mait to Defense: a Good Call

Keith Mait of Chaminade High plays quarterback. . . . for the defense.

Mait, who began the season as the Eagles’ first-string quarterback, these days is calling signals and delivering shots from the secondary.

Mait, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior free safety, is the spearhead of an attacking defense that has recorded about two dozen sacks. The Eagles also have blocked six kicks.

Chaminade (3-2-1, 1-0 in league) plays at Notre Dame (5-1, 1-0) Friday night in the annual meeting of the traditionally strong Mission League rivals.

“He’s been the quarterback of the defense,” Chaminade Coach Tim Johnson said. “We put a lot of responsibility in him.”

Mait has blocked three kicks, including a punt in last week’s 36-22 victory over Bishop Montgomery. Against Littlerock, he deflected a punt and blocked an extra-point attempt.

Mait led the charge against powerful Thousand Oaks by sacking quarterback Scott McEwan three times as the Eagles rallied for an 18-18 tie.

“It’s a very aggressive, pressure-type defense,” Mait said. “We get in there. It’s kind of like playing quarterback. I call plays sometimes and I have to know what everybody’s doing on defense.”

Mait might still be guiding the offense if not for suffering a sprained left wrist (his non-throwing hand) in the season’s first week. Ray Rodriguez has since become the team’s quarterback and Mait has played almost exclusively on defense and special teams.

But Mait’s not complaining.

“I miss playing quarterback,” he said. “But I understand what’s best for the team. I’m very happy. Our defense is great and I’m proud to be a part of it.”