To the victors go the spoils, so it’s no surprise that Craig County’s all-time best football team was well-represented when the All-Pioneer District team was announced. Craig had five first team selections on offense and five on defense.
All-District on offense included seniors Carter Calfee and Jerry Smith, both at runningback, junior Carter Price and sophomore Jeremiah Fowler, both on the offensive line, and junior placekicker Caleb Cregger. Calfee was second in the voting for district Offensive Player of the Year. That went to Cooper Helvey of Narrows.
“If Carter hadn’t gotten hurt, or if we beat Narrows, I am sure he would have won it,” said Craig coach Jimmy Fisher. “I don’t have words for what Carter Calfee has meant to this football program. He is the quintessential leader that every coach wants. The kids have so much respect for him. He leads vocally and by example. He works tremendously hard and that gives his words meaning. He’s smart, he’s tough as a pine knot and he’s resilient. He has not only been a warrior for our football team, but he’s also been a warrior for God. He’s been our spiritual leader and a Christian example for all of us.”
On defense the Rockets had six shutouts and allowed the fewest points of any team in school history. Junior linebacker Noah Paxton was named the Defensive Player of the Year and also named to the first team defense were Price on the defensive line, Cregger at defensive back, senior Tristan Dooley at linebacker and Calfee at punt return.
Paxton was also named to the second team at running back, as was Cregger at tight end and senior Caleb Fields on the offensive line. Selected to the second team on defense were junior Peyton Fields on the line, junior Marcus Donithan at linebacker and Calfee was also named to the second team as a defensive back.
Three Rockets received Honorable Mention, senior Isaiah Nichols, junior Kadin Arthurs and sophomore Bentley Smith.
Craig County coach Fisher was named the Pioneer District Coach of the Year. Fisher accepted the honor as a “team award” along with assistants Jayke Dowdy, Roland Donithan, Corey Smith, James Hodges, Jeremy Howell, Josh Craft and Jaycob Wolfe.
“It’s a team award,” said Fisher. “I am not working any harder than I was five years ago. I want to thank our coaching staff for putting up with me and working hard for these young men.”
Jimmy had special praise for Dowdy, who coached the Craig defense to a historic season and is Fisher’s “right hand man.”
“Jayke is the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, but he’s way more than that,” said Fisher. “He’s my close friend and a brother. He is the young, energetic coach that compliments the old dinosaur. To me he is a co-head coach, and even though neither one of us like or care about credit, if any is given to the head coach… there are two of us.”
