In a world where spread offenses and high-flying attacks win the day, a steady, old-school approach has been the formula for success for the Crawford Pirates who have made their way back to the state championship game for the first time since 2004.
Head coach Delbert Kelm has rooted the split back veer offense into the Pirates’ DNA the last several years and the ground-and-pound attack offense to a 14-1 record and a deep run in the playoffs. Quarterback Gage Pearson has been the do-everything playmaker for Crawford, but also has Mark Pando, Peyton Rathe, and Jeff Ward among others to lean on as well.
In their state semifinal game against Abernathy, the Pirates made some big plays in the air as Pearson threw for three touchdowns against the Antelopes. It’s not flashy, but the Pirates just keep on winning with productive games from their offense. On offense, they’ll have to find those big plays against a Refugio defense that has given up just 97 points all season.
On the other side of the ball, the Crawford defense may be even more impressive. They held Abernathy to 178 yards of total offense in the state semifinals, 188 yards against De Leon, and contained a stout Mart offense earlier in the playoffs. The Pirates have also been very good about forcing turnovers in key situations and will have to be on their game against a Refugio Bobcats offense that has a variety of offensive weapons, particularly running back Jaylon Mascorro.
Since their season-opening loss to Tolar, the Pirates have not given up more than 21 points in a game. Add in the fact that eight of those games have been shutouts or single-digit performances, the Pirates will bring an imposing defense to the 2A Division II state championship game.
Crawford takes on Refugio at 1 p.m. on Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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