The Craig County football team has been chomping at the bit to begin the 2026 football season and this Friday it becomes a reality. The Rockets will open at Galax, a member of the Mountain Empire District and a Craig rival in Region 1C.
The Rockets warmed up for the season with a scrimmage against Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy last Friday. Coach Jimmy Fisher felt the scrimmage went well.
“We got some good film and we will use it to keep improving,” he said. “The kids made a lot of plays on both sides of the ball. We played very physical and that is what we are trying to hang our hat on. We made several mistakes too, and that gives us ample opportunity to correct them and get better.”
The Rockets are coming off their best season ever. Last year the team went 9-1 during the regular season and was undefeated until the ninth game of the season. They shut out Bath County to open the playoffs, 27-0, then lost to Grayson County in the second round. Grayson was the defending 2024 Class 1 state champ and last year they made it all the way to the semifinal before losing to Rye Cove by one point.
Craig has seen constant improvement since Fisher took over the program in 2021. He was named coach after the Rockets did not play football due to the COVID pandemic in 2020. Things started turning around in 2024 when the Rockets had their first winning regular season since 2010 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Then things really took off last year, and Craig isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this season.
“I don’t think we snuck up on anyone last season,” said Fisher. “I think our opponents knew we were going to be better than the 2024 season.”
The Rockets have been getting a lot of attention after last season. Does Fisher feel they have a target on the backs this fall?
“Definitely,” he said. “If I were our opponents, I would be sick of hearing about Craig County, and I would make sure my players were sick of hearing about them as well. We have sort of been the media darlings and that creates lots of material for an opponent’s proverbial bulletin board. But I am Craig County, and I don’t care how sick everyone is tired of hearing our name. I hope they hear it a lot more!”
Once again the Rockets will run the Single Wing offense. Fisher feels it’s the perfect offense for a school with a small student body.
“It has turned into our identity,” he said. “We are the smallest school in Virginia playing 11-man football. If we line-up in a popular offense like the spread, we would be going 2-8 or 3-7.
“We cannot consistently match up athletically with some of the bigger 1A programs. The Single Wing gives us an opportunity to compete. It is hard for opposing defenses to prepare for. They can’t replicate it in scout team in one week. When opponents have been defending all these spread teams, it can also be hard to match the physicality we want to play with. I think that this is, without a doubt, the best offense for a school our size to run. FEAR THE WING!”
Craig has become adept at running this offense. It’s now become second nature to the Rockets.
“In this offense, I think everyone is key,” said Fisher. “Any weak points and we cannot execute our entire playbook. They all have to be consistent, play hard, and play with physicality.
“We plan on taking whatever the defense gives us. That could change every week. We expect all of our back positions to rush for 100 plus yards per game on average, no matter who is carrying the ball.”
In this year’s offense senior Noah Paxton returns at fullback, and he’s a good one. Speedy juniors Bradyn Dunbar and Bentley Smith are tailbacks and Marcus Donithan, a senior, is the blocking back. Wings are juniors Dreydin Smith and Robbie Eakin.
At the end spots Craig will have senior Peyton Fields on the right side and Caleb Cregger, also a senior, is the left end. Caleb was one of the top receivers in the area last year.
Senior Brad Arthurs anchors the line at center. Senior Blake Hannah is the 7-man, senior Carter Price is the 8-man, senior Kadin Arthurs and junior Kaden Custer are battling for the starting spot at 9 and junior Jeremiah Fowler is the 10-man in the single wing numbered system.
Craig will run a 4-2-5 on defense.
“It enables us to match up to the spread teams and also easily align in a 4-4 defense for a run heavy opponent,” said Fisher.
Several players were battling for starting spots on the defense, including Hannah, Fowler, Fields and sophomore Lane Markham at the strong end position. One of the same will play the week end.
Price is a beast at strong tackle and the noseguard will come from a group of Kadin Arthurs, Custer and Hannah.
At linebacker Paxton is the “Mike,” or middle backer. Dreydin Smith or junior Blake Kendall will be on the strong side(Sam) and Donithan will play the weak side(Will).
Corners will be Bentley Smith and Dunbar and Wyatt Huffman, a senior, is the strong safety. Cregger will be the free safety
Craig has no lack of talented placekickers. Cregger, Clayton Cassell and Jadeon Huffman are all capable of nailing extra points or field goals. Cregger will kick off and punt. Donithan is the long snapper for place kicks while Dunbar will handle the chore on punts.
Fisher is still deciding on return men punts and kickoffs after losing two good ones to graduation. “Got spoiled with Carter Calfee and Jerry Smith back there last season,” said Fisher.
Jimmy has probably the most talented staff of assistants Craig County High School has ever had.
“We have worked hard on building a quality coaching staff for these young men,” he said. “We have the best and most experienced staff in program history. We are blessed to have six of our coaches in the building. Not many schools, in any classification, have six guys on staff that work in the building.”
Steve Lambert is in his first year on the staff. He was a first team all-state linebacker in high school and received a full scholarship to Wake Forest. He lettered all four seasons and was a multi-year starter at linebacker for the Demon Deacons. A retired state trooper, it’s his first year coaching at the varsity level. He’s primarily coaching outside linebackers with Coach Jayke Dowdy. Steve is a cousin of NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert.
Former Rocket Johnny Hutchinson, Jr. joins the staff this year. Coach Hutch is a CCHS Class of 2022 alumni who played for Fisher his senior year. He works with Coach Roland Donithan and Fisher on the offensive and defensive lines. Johnny played college football at Ferrum College and Roanoke College.
Fisher is excited to welcome Lee Johnson to the staff this year. Coach Johnson has been a head coach at three different high schools and Jimmy worked under him at two of them. He brings a wealth of experience, at all positions, to the staff. He is helping with the backs and is the secondary coach. Lee played for Willis White at Salem High.
Jeremy Haymore is another newcomer to the Rocket program. Coach Haymore has also been a head coach at three different high schools and has been helping the Rockets from afar the past couple years.
“We are thrilled to now have him on staff,” said Fisher. “He’s one of the top Single Wing Offensive minds in the country and an award winning author.”
Coach Haymore is the Offensive Coordinator. He played for Bob Gray at Staunton River High School.
Jeremy Howell is back for his sixth year on the staff. Jeremy is a CCHS Class of 2000 and was a star player for the Rockets at blocking back and middle linebacker. He works with the offensive line and linebackers. Howell played for Rod Tenney at Craig County HS.
James Hodges is a CCHS Class of 2008 alumni and he’s back for his third year with the team. James played recreation football and high school football for Fisher. James works with the tight ends and defensive backs and is also the Middle School Head Coach.
Corey Smith is in his fifth year on the staff. Coach Smith won a state title as a senior at Blacksburg HS. Corey helps with the defensive backs and tight ends. He is also the JV Head Coach. Smith played for Dave Crist and Thad Wells at Blacksburg High.
Roland Donithan is in his sixth year with the Rockets.
“Coach Donithan is my left hand man,” said Fisher. “He helps with equipment, is the trainer and school nurse, and helps on the offensive and defensive lines.” Roland played for legendary coach Joel Hicks at Pulaski County and is in his sixth year coaching at Craig.
Last, but certainly not least, is Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Jayke Dowdy, now in his fifth year on the staff.
“Coach Dowdy is my right hand man, and the eyes and ears of Craig County football,” said Fisher. “Jayke has been a tremendous asset for Rocket Football. I see him as a co-head coach.
Jayke also oversees the strength and conditioning program and recruiting. He played for Jeff Williams at Giles High School.
The Rockets have had some changes to the schedule.
“Montcalm dropped us immediately following The Reckoning last season,” said Fisher. “We picked up Galax in Week 1. Van dropped us late and we are now going to Greater Beckley Christian in Week three. It cost us a home game.
“I think Twin Springs will be tough again and I think that all the district teams will be better than last season. Meadowbridge will also be an improved opponent. So, all in all, I think the schedule is tougher.”
The Rockets continue to have good support. That was something they’ve had through the years, win or lose, in this tight-knit community.
“Outstanding community and alumni support,” said Fisher. “It has been great since I started in 2021. They show up to the games and on social media for the team. Our fundraisers are always supported. They are proud of us, and we are proud of them.”
While they lost some talented athletes from last year’s team, the cupboard is far from bare heading into the 2026 season. The Rockets are looking to continue to trend up and that’s not the only goal for Fisher, a Craig native who bleeds blue.
“My goal is to turn boys into men… good men,” he said. “Good citizens, good fathers, good husbands, self-disciplined, respectful, hardworking men. Along the way, the goal is to win some football games… lots of them.
“It will take hard work, perseverance, self-discipline, selflessness, accountability, and for the ball to bounce right in crucial situations.”
