The best high school season in Craig County or New Castle High School history came to end last Friday in the Region 1C semifinal. The Rockets dropped a 34-13 game to visiting Grayson County at New Castle’s Mitchell Field. Grayson will now advance to the Region 1C final against George Wythe while 12 Rocket seniors will reflect on their outstanding accomplishments.
This was the second year in a row Craig met Grayson in the playoffs. Last year the Blue Devils beat Craig 42-0 and went on to the state champion-ship game, but this year’s matchup was much differ-ent. The Rockets hung tough against a solid Grayson team.
“The final score was not indicative of the com-petitiveness of the game,” said Craig coach Jimmy Fisher. “The hometown boys hung tough with the Blue Devils from Grayson County, the largest school competing in Class 1 with over 500 students, and trailed by just one score late in the fourth quarter. I was super proud of our effort all night long. They completely dominated us last season and we worked hard to make sure it didn’t happen like that this year.”
This time the Rockets were the first team on the scoreboard. Craig scored on its open-ing possession as senior running back Jerry Smith broke free for a 55 yard TD on the Rockets fourth play.
“Jerry has just been a gift,” said Fisher. “Not just his sweet feet and infectious smile, but his whole personality. He just swept in and stole the hearts of this commu-nity. Everyone loves Jerry and he absolutely loves it here. We are certainly going to miss him next season.”
Craig was unable to score again in the first half and gave up three scores, one in the first quarter and two in the second quarter.
“We had some opportunities on offense to make some plays in the first half and on defense to get stops but were a split second or one step short of getting it done,” said Fisher. “They pushed us around a little in the second quarter, but we challenged them at halftime to keep fighting up front.”
The Rockets fought hard in the second half and kept Grayson out of the end zone until less than eight minutes were left in the fourth quarter.
“I’m just so proud of our second half effort,” said Fisher. “We fought hard up front and everywhere else to give ourselves a chance.”
The Rockets gave themselves that chance as Jerry Smith made an electric 80 yard touchdown run to cut the score to 21-13 in the fourth quarter. The Craig defense fought hard but Grayson was able to answer Craig’s touchdown and make it a two-score game once again.
“We were a step away from stopping a third down conversion, but they got it to keep their drive alive,” said Fisher.
A couple plays later the Craig defense was half a step from knocking down a pass but the receiver caught it and was able to get down the sideline for a 45 yard touchdown.
Craig was stopped on fourth and four inside their own 20 yard line late in the fourth quarter. Down two scores, the Rockets were forced to go for it on fourth down.
“Unfortunately we didn’t convert and were a little deflated, and they got us on a quick pass outside for another late score.” said Fisher
The Rockets were led on offense by Smith, who had 15 carries for 185 yards and both Craig scores. Carter Calfee added 46 yards on 12 carries and had one reception for 19 yards.
The Rockets were led on defense by sophomore Dreydin Smith.
“Dreydin has been a key piece in the Rockets defense the last three games,” said Fisher. “Filling in for Carter Calfee against Meadow Bridge and for Noah Paxton in last week’s playoff win versus Bath County and again this week against Grayson. Dreydin plays 100 mile per hour. We only lose two starters off of our record breaking defense but I think Dreydin is obviously a candidate to win a starting job next season.”
Smith had 15 tackles Friday, junior defensive tackle Carter Price had six and a half tackles, Calfee added six tackles, junior linebacker Marcus Donithan had four tack-les and senior linebacker Tristan Dooley added four tackles.
“This very special Senior group will be 10-2 forever,” said Fisher. “ Every under-classmen can enjoy it for a few weeks and then they are 0-0, it’s their turn. 2026 belongs to them.”
