KTJ
08-18-2004, 12:28 PM
Crandall coach Randy Barnes hates scheduling easy nondistrict games. Just won't do it. While his teams may suffer a few early losses, they have made the playoffs the last six seasons.
"The best years we've had here, we started off 0-3," Barnes said. "You have to play against champions to learn what it takes to be a champion."
Last season, an experienced offense led the team to the playoffs, but its young defense prevented it from advancing past the first round. This fall, the offensive line has four new starters.
This season, his 3-4 defense has 10 returning starters. Three-year starter Jonathan Williams, a senior defensive tackle, leads the front seven.
"We believe that this can be the best defense we've ever had here," Barnes said.
FAST FACTS
Nickname: Pirates
District: 12-3A
Coach: Randy Barnes
Last season: 6-5, 4-2, finished second in District 13-3A, lost 14-13 to Canton in first round of playoffs.
THE SKINNY
STRENGTH
Defense: The 3-4 defense has 10 starters returning, and the front seven are dominant.
WEAKNESS
Offensive line: Four of the five offensive lineman are first-year starters.
BIGGEST GAME
vs. Kaufman, Oct. 22: Lost to rivals, 15-13, last season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Crandall has made the playoffs six consecutive seasons, reaching the second round four times.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DT Jonathan Williams, 6-0, 260, Sr.: The three-year starter is an outstanding run stopper.
FB Bo Morgan, 5-9, 170, Sr.: His 168-yard, 2-TD performance in the regular-season finale led Crandall into last season's playoffs.
RB Terry Carpenter, 5-10, 175, Jr.: With average speed and great vision, he will also return kicks and punts this season.
OT Blanton Barkemeyer, 6-0, 215, Sr.: One of Barnes' most intelligent player is the only returning starter on the offensive line.
DE Will Dickerson 5-11, 182, Sr.: Is a great pass rusher and can also drop back as a coverage linebacker.
RETURNING LEADERS
RUSHING
Player Att. Yds. TDs
Bo Morgan 116 798 12
PASSING
Player C-A-I Yds. TDs
Thomas Becker 10-14-0 211 0
RECEIVING
Player No. Yds. TDs
Michael Murray 8 76 2
TACKLES
Player No.
Daniel Smith 117
INTERCEPTIONS
Player No.
Matt Noles 3
"The best years we've had here, we started off 0-3," Barnes said. "You have to play against champions to learn what it takes to be a champion."
Last season, an experienced offense led the team to the playoffs, but its young defense prevented it from advancing past the first round. This fall, the offensive line has four new starters.
This season, his 3-4 defense has 10 returning starters. Three-year starter Jonathan Williams, a senior defensive tackle, leads the front seven.
"We believe that this can be the best defense we've ever had here," Barnes said.
FAST FACTS
Nickname: Pirates
District: 12-3A
Coach: Randy Barnes
Last season: 6-5, 4-2, finished second in District 13-3A, lost 14-13 to Canton in first round of playoffs.
THE SKINNY
STRENGTH
Defense: The 3-4 defense has 10 starters returning, and the front seven are dominant.
WEAKNESS
Offensive line: Four of the five offensive lineman are first-year starters.
BIGGEST GAME
vs. Kaufman, Oct. 22: Lost to rivals, 15-13, last season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Crandall has made the playoffs six consecutive seasons, reaching the second round four times.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DT Jonathan Williams, 6-0, 260, Sr.: The three-year starter is an outstanding run stopper.
FB Bo Morgan, 5-9, 170, Sr.: His 168-yard, 2-TD performance in the regular-season finale led Crandall into last season's playoffs.
RB Terry Carpenter, 5-10, 175, Jr.: With average speed and great vision, he will also return kicks and punts this season.
OT Blanton Barkemeyer, 6-0, 215, Sr.: One of Barnes' most intelligent player is the only returning starter on the offensive line.
DE Will Dickerson 5-11, 182, Sr.: Is a great pass rusher and can also drop back as a coverage linebacker.
RETURNING LEADERS
RUSHING
Player Att. Yds. TDs
Bo Morgan 116 798 12
PASSING
Player C-A-I Yds. TDs
Thomas Becker 10-14-0 211 0
RECEIVING
Player No. Yds. TDs
Michael Murray 8 76 2
TACKLES
Player No.
Daniel Smith 117
INTERCEPTIONS
Player No.
Matt Noles 3