The Craig County football team made the playoffs for the first time since 2012 last year, and this year they’re aiming a little higher. Craig looks to win a playoff game for the first time ever as the Rockets open the season at home this Friday against Montcalm of West Virginia.
The Rockets finished 6-5 last year. It was their best record since Craig finished 6-5 in 2010 and just the second times Craig has had a winning season since 2005. Coach Jim Fisher feels this year’s team will be even better.
“I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs, and once we get there I think we can win some games,” he said. “We had a great scrimmage (at Richwood) Friday night.”
The Rockets have one of their biggest teams ever in terms of numbers. Fisher is a relentless recruiter and he has 35 boys suiting up from grades nine through 12. What’s more, Craig had a young team last year and with a playoff season under their belts this year’s team is ready to go.
Fisher has brought a positive mentality to a program that traditionally has struggled. When he returned to his alma mater he left the small weight room in the corner of the gym and took over what used to be a keyboarding classroom and made it a weight room with more space and windows.
“We’ve had outstanding participation in the weight room,” he said. “Coach (Jayke) Dowdy is teaching a strength and conditioning class.”
Once again Craig will be running the single-wing on offense. Fisher, who is starting his sixth season as Craig County coach, feels it’s the perfect offense for a school the size of Craig County High.
“We have 140 kids in grades nine through 12,” he said. “We’re never going to be able to line up in the spread so we have to do something the other team isn’t prepared for, and then just outwork them.”
Junior Noah Paxton returns at tailback with senior Carter Calfee at fullback and senior Tristan Dooley as the blocking back. Paxton and Calfee are fast, hard runners who are looking to have big years.
Isaiah Nichols, another senior, is the wing back and transfer senior Jerry Smith also plays the wing and brings an element of speed to the offense.
Tight ends will come from a group that includes sophomore Bentley Smith and junior transfer Caleb Cregger on the left side and juniors Marcus Donithan and Peyton Fields on the right. Junior Wyatt Huffman will also play some end, and Craig has some sets where the ends will be out wide.
On the line junior Carter Price returns for his third year on the varsity. He goes 6’2″ and 255 and plays the 8 position, taking advantage of his ability to pull.
“He’s blue collar and a hard worker,” said Fisher.
Senior Caleb Fields is the 7, or tackle, and the other tackle is the 9 and that will be either junior Kadin Arthurs or junior Blake Hannah. Junior Brad Arthurs is the center and the number 10, pulling guard, is sophomore Jeremiah Fowler. Junior Aiden Crawford can play the 8 or the 10.
On defense Price will anchor the line and be a force to be reckoned with for opposing offenses. Senior Doug Hutchison is the nose guard, Peyton Fields is the strong side end and the other end will be either Caleb Fields, Fowler or Crawford.
The Rockets have a talented crew of hard-hitting linebackers. Paxton and Donithan are inside backers and Dooley and Calfee are on the outside. Calfee will play a hybrid spot, like a strong side, lining up in coverage or in the box depending on the offense. Other linebackers are Nichols, Jerry Smith, Dreydin Smith and sophomore Blake Kendall.
“Linebacker is our strength,” said Fisher.
In the secondary Bentley Smith and Bradyn Dunbar will be the corners and Cregger is the safety. Wyatt Huffman and Dylan Sarver could also see some time.
Clayton Cassell, Cregger and Jadeon Huffman are placekickers. All three also play soccer and have strong legs. Paxton, Dunbar, Cregger and sophomore Robbie Eakin can all punt.
Dowdy returns as Craig’s defensive coordinator, he coaches inside linebackers and he’s also the assistant head coach. At one time Fisher was looking at Dowdy as a possible replacement when he stepped down but now that Jimmy is also the athletic director and head boys’ basketball coach at Craig he could be there for the long haul.
“Jayke said he’ll be here as long as I am,” said Fisher. “He does a great job.”
Other assistants are Roland Donithan, Corey Smith, James Hodges, Jeremy Howell, Josh Craft and Jaycob Wolfe. Kallie and Kammie Fisher are team managers.
The Rockets open at home with Montcalm at 7 pm Friday at Mitchell Field. Last year the Rockets lost a tough one to Montcalm, 20-17, on the road. The Generals were 6-4 last year.
Fisher was upset with the atmosphere at Montcalm last year and the Rockets will be out for revenge Friday night; in a sportsmanlike way.
“The worst part of the trip to West Virginia was how Craig County was treated by the hosts,” Fisher remarked after last year’s game. “What had always been a very respectful game has gotten dirty with a lot of trash talking, all by one team. Football players on floats from the Homecoming Parade used expletives to Craig cheerleaders with adults on the float with them. On the field we were cursed, kicked, punched and there were several blindside hits after the play was obviously over. The referees even made a point of emphasis before the game that they would not tolerate any of that kind of behavior. I guess they just meant from us.”
Bulletin board material for Friday to be sure.
