Experience should be a key factor for the Crane football team during the 2021 season.
Last year’s Golden Cranes had an 8-2 record and won a District 1-3A championship after compiling an undefeated mark against district opponents.
This season’s team is set to bring back some key contributors from that squad, with the players mainly forming part of the 2022 senior class.
“The experience and leadership is going to help us going into this year,” assistant coach Naldo Esparza said.
The Golden Cranes are set to return eight starters on both offense and defense.
Led by head coach Jeff Cordell, Crane stayed busy throughout the summer before turning its attention to preseason workouts.
A run to the Division III State 7 on 7 Tournament in June kept the Golden Cranes in optimal playing condition.
“They came in to camp this year in pretty good shape,” Esparza said.
Quarterback Jaxon Willis is one of the seniors looking to contribute another strong showing before ending his time as a Golden Crane.
The signal caller received honorable mention honors on the Class 3A All-State football team in 2019.
Before the 2021 campaign starts, Willis and the rest of the offensive group have been learning a new offense that mixes the pass and run to provide a more balanced approach.
“I think we’re picking it up pretty quick, it’s a lot of the same things we’ve been doing in the past,” Willis said. “We’ll be more balanced with the run and the pass, so that’s one of the big things we’re learning.”
Although the offense is similar to the one the team ran in the past, one of the main differences is terminology.
Esparza believes the Golden Cranes are a step ahead defensively and they are slowly getting to where they need to be with the new offense.
Crane’s roster also figures to be balanced with an infusion of youth joining the established leadership.
While the seniors have stepped into their respective roles, the newcomers have made a strong impact in practice after playing on the Crane junior varsity squad that went undefeated in 2020.
The team’s defense will be led by new face in defensive coordinator Jace Cordell, but the concepts are staying the same.
During the squad’s first days of practice in early August, Esparza saw the seniors immediately fill in the leadership spots they were asked to take.
“It shows that under Coach [Jeff] Cordell, these kids know their expectations and they have done a good job with that,” Esparza said.
Back in 2019, Crane advanced all the way to the 7 on 7 state championship game against Poth and Willis said the experience gave the team a big momentum boost heading into the season.
Willis believes this summer’s run to the quarterfinals will have the same impact.
Going into this season, the quarterback wants to take more control of the offense during live game situations.
“On offense, we don’t just want to turn the ball over and go three and out real quick because that puts the defense on the field way too much,” Willis said.
Having a more balanced approach is attractive to the quarterback because he knows his team won’t have to lean on one player for production.
The Golden Cranes are set to open their 2021 campaign with a road game against Pecos at 7 p.m. Aug. 27.
They will also face familiar District 1-3A foes in Alpine, Tornillo, Anthony and Compass Academy later in the season.
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Crane Golden Cranes
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Jeff Cordell.
>> Coach’s overall record: 96-56.
>> Coach’s record at school: 17-5.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Joe Moore, offensive coordinator; Jace Cordell, defensive coordinator; Henry Anderson, inside linebackers; Guy Barnett, outside linebackers; Chris Arredondo, defensive line; Doug Lane, defensive line; Gregg Raymond, offensive line; Jesse Rizo, running backs; Naldo Esparza, receivers.
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2020 overall record: 8-2.
>> 2020 district record: 3-0 (First, District 1-3A Division II).
>> Last district title: 2020.
>> Last playoff appearance: 2020 (def. Brady, 49-15, bi-district; lost to Childress, 35-25, area).
>> Stadium name: El Ave Stadium.
>> Base offense: Spread.
>> Base defense: 3-4.
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 21.
>> Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense).
>> Key returners: Jaxon Willis, QB/DB, 5-11, 185, Sr.; Juan Pullido, LB, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Trevor Owens, WR/DB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Paul Walker, OL/DL, 5-8, 245, Sr.; Jeren McDonald, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Keaton Sena, OLB/QB, 6-1, 185, Jr.; Tavian Bustos, OL/DL, 5-11, 215, Jr.
>> Key newcomers: Elijah Velarde, OL/DL, 5-10, 245, Sr.; JJ Dominguez, WR/OLB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Pacen Smith, WR/DB, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Blake Dominguez, RB/LB, 5-9, 140, Sr.; Oliver Cervantes, WR/DB, 5-6, 145, Sr.; Bryan Galindo, RB/LB, 5-6, 165, Jr.
