Bucs succeed as Crowe flies

For the last decade or so, what Boyd-Buchanan has been able to accomplish offensively can be directly linked to the quarterback position. In keeping with the theme, the 2009 Buccaneers' offensive success has been determined almost literally as Crowe flies.

Andrew Crowe is a senior in his first season starting at quarterback for Boyd-Buchanan. To date the Bucs are 9-1 and will host Cascade on Friday in a TSSAA Class 2A quarterfinal at 7 p.m.

Crowe worked his way into becoming the next chronicle in a sequence of talented Boyd-Buchanan signal-callers that includes Will Healy, Drew Akins, Weston Perry, Sloan Allison and Nic Hughes. Crowe got an early sample of playing quarterback not long after his first football season when he was in second grade and playing tight end for the Lakeside Oilers. Throughout his playing days he's seen action at linebacker, safety and wide receiver, but he's content being back under center.

"I've always liked playing quarterback," Crowe said. "You get to touch the ball every time. You kind of have the game in your hands in a way."

Boyd-Buchanan coach Grant Reynolds likes several things he's seen with his new quarterback, from his athletic ability to his diligence. Of most importance to the coach is what's inside Crowe's helmet.

"His best asset is his head," Reynolds said. "We're going to run some option. He's got to know when to pull it, give it or pitch it and he does a good job with that.

"If I could clone another one, I think we could find a place for him on defense somewhere. He plays with that kind of intensity, but he's well-suited at quarterback for what we do."

The Bucs' average of 38.1 points per game bears that out. Crowe has complimented a running game that features a big and talented offensive line and 1,000-yard rusher Ben Beasley by throwing for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.

Crowe transferred to Boyd-Buchanan after spending his freshman year at Ooltewah. He got to play quarterback against Marion County last season when Hughes was out with an injury and the Bucs won 21-20.

Reynolds said he made his decison to go with Crowe at quarterback this year during summer workouts. Unfortunately for Crowe, he sprained his right foot on the first day of two-a-day practices and that ended up keeping him out of preseason scrimmages, as well as the jamboree.

Crowe started the season-opener against Chattanooga Christian and said the injury was still bothering him then, although a 62-7 Bucs victory makes one wonder. He has continued to play with the foot and ankle taped. His 372 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns seem to indicate the foot is fine.

"I had to get back into the swing of things," Crowe said. "I had to get used to running the offense again. Not being able to sprint takes away a big part of my game."

Crowe likes outdoors activities and is missing out on a lot of the hunting that's prevalent this time of year. He's OK with that, hoping he's busy with football for another couple of weeks. That would first require defeating Cascade.

"We have to block well, tackle well and make smart decisions," Crowe said. "We need to not have any penalties. We need to play perfect."

Friday's winner will play the winner between Rockwood and Hampton in a semifinal Nov. 27. The state final is Dec. 5 at Cookeville.

"We would be very one-dimensional without him," Reynolds said of Crowe. "If we continue working and playing together, I think good things are in store for this team. At this point, we're just playing for another game."