The Craig County football team had one of its biggest wins in recent memory last week when the Rockets pounded Parry McCluer. Craig took a 45-13 win in front of a packed home side in New Castle to remain undefeated after six games.
This was a big win, but coach Jimmy Fisher is hoping some bigger ones are in store. With the win Craig has moved into first place in the Virginia High School League rankings in Region 1C, passing Grayson County. If the Rockets can hold onto the top spot Craig would be at home for all region games as long as they keep winning. A loud and raucous crowd is expected again this week as the Rockets host Bath County for Homecoming.
“Big crowd at the game Friday,” said Fisher. “Fantastic fans, they were loud, had a ton of energy, and helped us out tremendously. It was a great atmosphere.”
The visiting Blues couldn’t stop Craig’s single wing offense. Dreydin Smith scored on a 69-yard burst just 4½ minutes into the game and the Rockets never trailed.
“Jeremy Haymore continues to work wonders with the offense,” said Fisher. “The kids have a ton of respect for him and work hard to accomplish what he asks them to do. The offensive line opened some huge holes and Noah Paxton was a workhorse. We can still be better. We still miss some assignments and occasionally run past a defender we should block, but our line has so much experience, they know it instantly and try to self-correct. I am really proud of how the line keeps working to get better. They aren’t satisfied.”
The Rockets made it 13-0 a minute into the second quarter on Noah Paxton’s first of five touchdowns, sprinting 13 yards for the score. The Blues cut the lead to 13-7 on a three-yard run and that was the score at the half.
Craig County owned the second half. Paxton scored on runs of 69 and 20 yards and also scored two point conversions to up the lead to 29-7. Parry McCluer held out hope when they cut the lead to 29-13 late in the quarter. Craig’s defense had apparently stopped the Blues on downs but were called for a disputed pass interference on fourth and long as Parry McCluer was given a first down. They scored on the next play but Craig stopped their two point try.
The Rockets put it away on the next series as Paxton ran for a 56 yard score with 9:41 remaining in the game and Bentley Smith swept the right side for two more. Craig put some icing on the cake when Paxton romped 40 yards for his fifth TD and added two more for a 45-13 final.
Noah finished with 315 yards rushing on 22 carries and accounted for 36 points with five touchdowns and three two-point conversions. Dreydin Smith had 101 yards rushing on just five carries and Brayden Dunbar had 20 yards on two tries.
On defense, Marcus Donithan had eight tackles to lead the team. Blake Kendall had seven and a half, including three for losses. Dreydin Smith had seven, Robbie Eakin and Paxton had six each and Eakin had two sacks and three tackles for losses.
Jeremy Fowler had five and a half tackles, Bentley Smith had five, Wyatt Huffman and Carter Price had four and a half each and Peyton Fields had four and two sacks.
“Coach Jakye Dowdy and Coach Lee Johnson put together a sound defensive plan against Parry McCluer,” said Fisher. “We knew a couple of weeks ago that Robbie Eakin could be an asset along the defensive front. He is very quick and relentless. We decided to wait for the Parry McCluer game to play him at noseguard. Sort of a ‘secret weapon.’ He played a fantastic game and was very disruptive. I think every defensive player played well for us Friday. A true team effort.”
This week the Rockets will host Bath for Homecoming. The Chargers are coached by former Bath quarterback Jake Phillips, who is in his fifth year with the team. Bath is 4-3 and coming off a win over Eastern Montgomery. Bath is ranked fifth in Region 1C, and with the top four teams opening the playoffs at home this is a big game for the Chargers. Plus, no one likes to be on the other side for a Homecoming game.
“Bath County has struggled at times and been impressive other times,” said Fisher. “I expect that we will get their very best. No one likes being another team’s Homecoming game. It can be an insult. Homecoming games and festivities are more enjoyable when you win the game. Traditionally, a lot of teams pick their weakest home opponent to be their Homecoming week. Some teams play it week one or an early game to make sure they get their weakest opponent. We have not done that since I have been here. I prefer an October Homecoming when the leaves are changing, it enhances the experience.”
Fisher knows the Chargers will be well-coached. Phillips led Bath’s best teams ever when he was a student and he’s been a coach at James River and Staunton (the former Robert E. Lee High).
“Bath County is extremely well coached,” said Fisher. “I coached with Jake Phillips at James River. I consider him a good friend and have the utmost respect for him. He is always prepared, has his kids motivated, and gets the most out of them.
“He will formation the heck out of us. There will be all kinds of shifts and motions, unbalanced lines. He will try to get us moving pre-snap on defense so he can confuse the defense and get a numbers advantage at the point of attack. We will probably see a trick play or two. We have to expect the unexpected and play assignment football. Defensively, they will throw the kitchen sink at us. I expect to see multiple fronts during the game.”
Fisher learned last week that Caleb Cregger, a standout player on both sides of the ball, will be lost for the season with a knee injury.
“It’s a huge loss for the team,” said Fisher. “He was a first team all-state safety last season, all-district kicker, our punter, punt returner, and our best receiver. He wore a lot of hats for us. Terrific kid. He’s taken it well, a lot better than me.
“Season ending injuries break my heart, especially when kids just pour their heart and soul into a sport, like Cregger in football and Emily Smith in basketball. Big losses for Rocket Athletics but I grieve for the games and memories they miss out on. High school years, to me, are about positive memories and preparing for life. Caleb wants to be a teacher and a coach. So, we are going to help prepare him for his coaching career by involving him in some of those aspects of the sport.”
As mentioned, it’s Homecoming this week. That can be a distraction at some schools but Fisher does his best not to let it affect the team on Friday night.
“I would be lying if I said it isn’t a distraction or that it doesn’t disrupt preparation, especially if it is a halftime Homecoming Court like we do,” he said. “I would rather have my players in the locker room making adjustments to win the game. However, I think the positives of Homecoming Week far outweigh the negatives. Part of high school is about making memories, not just for the football players and cheerleaders but for every student. Homecoming is also for the community and the alumni.
“I also would not want to move the Homecoming Court and crowning to before the game. We are rural and it takes people time to get off work, get cleaned up, pack the family and come to the game. I wouldn’t want the fans to miss it and, more importantly, I think the students on the Homecoming Court deserve the biggest crowd possible for their moment. Homecoming is a huge part of high school culture, and for some students, and football players, it is their favorite week of the school year.”
