The Craig County football team is making history. The Rockets are 4-0 for the first time ever after defeating a strong Twin Springs team in New Castle last week, 35-28.
This week the Rockets hope to make it five in a row. Prior this season the best starts the Rockets have had were in 1983, ’84 and 2005 when they opened 4-1. Craig has never had an undefeated regular season and the best record for a full 10 game season was in 1984 when New Castle High was 8-2 under coach Charlie Darling.
This year’s team, under New Castle native Jim Fisher, is threatening that record. The Rockets host winless Stonewall Jackson of Quicksburg this Friday night at Mitchell Field. The Generals are 0-5 and have lost to two Pioneer District teams, 36-0 to Bath County and 37-6 to Parry McCluer. This Friday is a “pink out” night for Breast Cancer Awareness.
“The crowds have been getting bigger and louder, and we would love to see that continue this week,” said Fisher. “The Generals are another spread team with some quick backs. Hopefully, we can get to 5-0 this Friday.”
While Stonewall Jackson has struggled, Twin Springs came to New Castle on a three game winning streak with 167 points scored in their past three games. Fisher expected a shootout, and he got one.
“It was a fantastic game,” he said. “We knew we were going to have trouble stopping them and we knew they were going to have trouble stopping us. It played out just like that. Many members of the crowd thought it was the best game they had seen on Mitchell Field. For me, it was comparative to a couple of wins when I played, and to the 2005 Bath County game that won us our first district title in football. It was an exciting night and a well-earned victory.”
Craig trailed briefly, for the first time in 2025, in the second quarter at 14-7.
“The momentum was with the Titans but a play on the sideline that resulted in two penalties against the hometown team really motivated our players,” said Fisher.
Craig was able to score twice in the second quarter, the last time with only seconds remaining in the half.
“Caleb Cregger made a great adjustment and great catch on a 15 yard, first half TD,” said Fisher. “There was defensive pass interference on the play but Cregger wasn’t going to be denied.”
The second half was much like the first, back and forth with explosive plays. Craig scored with less than four minutes to go and then had to hold on defensively for the win. Cregger made another huge catch on fourth and long to keep the game winning drive alive. He caught the ball in double coverage and probably saved the game for the Rockets. A few plays later Carter Calfee punched it in from three yards out for what proved to be the winning score.
The defense stepped up to stop the last Twin Springs drive. The Rockets were able to get more pressure on the quarterback and stop some inside veer runs that were working earlier in the game. However, Twin Springs connected on some amazing plays to keep the last drive alive.
“The kids gave the credit for this win to the fans,” said Fisher. “The crowd was so loud that Twin Springs had to use their final two timeouts prematurely just to get their plays called. Twin Springs called their plays at the line of scrimmage, yelling them in from the sideline. Our fans were so loud that the Titans players couldn’t hear the call. I am really, really glad they were out of timeouts.”
Statistically senior fullback Carter Calfee led the Rockets with 111 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Senior wingback Jerry Smith added 92 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, junior tailback Noah Paxton carried the ball 22 times for 87 yards and was two-for-five passing for 45 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver Caleb Cregger had two huge catches for 45 yards and a TD. Cregger was also five-for-five on extra point kicks.
Defensively, the Rockets were led by Paxton with 10.5 tackles and a tackle for loss and Calfee with seven tackles and a tackle for a loss, Senior outside linebacker Tristan Dooley had six tackles and two tackles for losses. Cregger had seven tackles, sophomore cornerback Bentley Smith added four tackles, junior linebacker Marcus Donithan had four tackles and a huge interception and he also recovered an onside kick.
“Marcus’ interception was absolutely huge,” said Fisher. “Every possession was critical and that pick could have been the difference in the game.”
Craig finished with 335 yards of total offense and didn’t punt once the whole game. Still, the visiting Twin Springs team kept pace before Craig held on for a signature win.
“It came down to the last possession,” said Fisher. “We were fortunate there wasn’t another 30 seconds on the clock.”
