By John Goolsby, For the Tribune
IRONDALE – Shades Valley junior Quincy Crawford saw his football season end before it even started last year.
Crawford suffered a season-ending wrist injury that required surgery a week before the season opener against Stanhope Elmore.
Crawford has worked hard since the injury and positioned himself to have a breakout season for the Mounties.
“I’m looking for him to have a really big year,” said Mountie head coach Rueben Nelson. “He will play in all three phases of the game and bring a spark to what we do here at Shades Valley.”
Nelson is excited about what the 6’0, 170 lbs play-maker brings to the team. “He has good size, speed and runs the ball well after the catch,” Nelson said. “In the secondary he will make an impact at corner and he’ll be a return guy, too.”
“I was so disappointed when I broke my wrist last year,” Crawford said. “I had doubts that I would be able to do the things I could before the injury.”
Fortunately for Crawford, he didn’t have to make the comeback alone. Nelson played a significant role in Crawford’s return.
“Coach Nelson told me that if I kept rehabbing, grinding, and doing what he told me to do, I would be good,” Crawford said. “He got me where I needed to be.”
Nelson is proud of how Crawford has worked and done the things he asked of him. “He’s done a lot of things on and off the field, like going to voluntary mentoring sessions, to get himself ready to play,” Nelson said.
“I have been working hard on my craft on the field and working hard off the field, too,” Crawford said. “I’m trying to be the best I can be for Coach Nelson this year.”
Crawford says his strength is “being quick off the ball, having the ability to get open and being fast.”
“Vision plays a big part in what I do,” he said. “I am always trying to anticipate what the opponent is doing.”
“Chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers is important,” Crawford said. Crawford is happy with how the passing game with senior quarterback Steve Brown has progressed. “Steve has built good chemistry with me and the rest of the receiving corp.”
The return of Crawford with talented returning junior wide receiver Ji’Quez Daniels, who saw significant playing time last year, will provide Brown with a dynamic duo of playmakers to get the ball to.
Crawford knows he will be busy this fall on Friday nights under the lights, but he isn’t worried about that. “Coach Nelson stresses that we have to adapt,” Crawford said.