Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and the Craig County football team is on fire. The Rockets improved to 3-0 with a big win over Mount View of West Virginia at New Castle’s Mitchell Field last Friday.
The visitors scored the first touchdown against Craig all season but that was little cause for concern as the Rockets hung 56 on the scoreboard for a 56-8 win. In three games thus far the Craig boys have outscored the opposition 160-8.
Last week the Rockets added a new twist to the Friday night experience. They came running out to the field through a tunnel, a new tradition for the Rockets as they “blasted off” to the delight of the home crowd.
“A tunnel has been something we have had our eye on for several years,” said coach Jimmy Fisher. “The kids were pumped to run out of it. Special thanks to Joey Mayo for the pyrotechnics and the smoke machine. His expertise and equipment made for a memorable entrance. Joey does a lot for us each year.”
It was a great night all around for the Craig County faithful. The Booster Club recognized Carrie Hutton’s efforts and contributions as Athletic Director for the previous 10 years during the game. And, of course, the Rockets dominated the game with over 500 yards of total offense as Jerry Smith and Carter Calfee again led the Rockets’ single wing rushing attack. Jerry had 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just five carries while Calfee added 119 yards and scored two touchdowns on seven carries.
“Mount View was no match defensively for the hometown Rockets,” said Fisher.
It was a team effort. The offensive line played well and, in addition to Smith and Calfee, Noah Paxton rushed for 84 yards on seven carries and a touchdown and he was two-for-five passing for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Junior tight end Caleb Cregger caught both TD passes while sophomores Bentley Smith and Robbie Eakin also added to the rushing totals for the Rockets. Bentley had two carries for 42 yards and a touchdown and Eakin had 62 yards on three carries.
“It was a great night statistically for the offense, but we made some uncharacteristic mistakes that we need to make sure we get fixed.” said Fisher.
The Rocket defense again played extremely well, only giving up 13 total yards. The Rockets had 13 tackles for losses, four sacks and an interception as they stopped the Golden Knights at every junction.
“Coach (Jayke) Dowdy’s defense has played lights out during the first three games,” said Fisher. “Jayke continues to do an outstanding job with the defense. He’s a great motivator and tactician. We are lucky to have him here.”
The defense was led by the stellar linebacking corps of junior Paxton, senior Calfee, senior Tristan Dooley and junior Marcus Donithan. Paxton led the way with nine tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. Calfee had six tackles with two tackles for loss and Dooley had six tackles with three tackles for loss. Donithan was credited with four and a half tackles with two for losses and a sack.
Junior defensive end Peyton Fields had two tackles, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble. Senior end Doug Hutchison had two tackles and two tackles for loss and junior defensive tackle Carter Price had two tackles and a tackle for loss. Although the Rockets gave up their first points of the season, it was by no fault of the defense.
“The defense still hasn’t been scored on in 2025,” said Fisher. “The offense surrendered the points Friday, but it wasn’t their fault either, it was 100 percent my mistake. We were down Noah Paxton tackles a runner for a loss.
a tailback to start the game and then Bradyn Dunbar took a big hit. I didn’t want to put Paxton back in so I randomly grabbed a skill player that had not repped in the backfield this season. The snap was mishandled and the Mount View defensive end scooped it up for a touchdown. Wasn’t on the center or the skill kid…it was all on me. It was a tough way to lose a shutout.”
This week the Rockets will be back home for the second of four straight home games. Twin Springs comes to New Castle with a 3-1 record and they’ll be a big test for the Craig defense. The Titans have scored 188 points in four games, including 61 against Unaka, Tennessee on September 5, 51 against Pineville, Kentucy on September 12 and 55 against J.I. Burton last week.
“This will be the first real test of the season for the Rockets,” said Fisher. “They are a really, really good football team. They are exponentially better than anyone we have played this season. They have a very athletic line and some great skill kids…especially their QB, senior Clay Ross. He accounted for over 400 yards of offense in a 55-13 dismantling of J.I. Burton this past Friday. We need to contain their passing game and their veer option running attack and we need to play well along both lines and execute offensively.”
