Crowell attracting big-time attention

CALHOUN, Ga. — Isaiah Crowell will be a wanted man tonight at Phil Reeve Stadium.

The Carver High five-star recruit will be the main focus on and off the field during the GHSA Class AA semifinal game at Calhoun. Off the field, Crowell's top two schools, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama, reportedly will be represented by head coaches Mark Richt and Nick Saban, respectively, as the battle for the nation's top-rated running back heats up.

On the field, Crowell will get even more attention from a pair of Calhoun all-star linebackers. Though limited for much of the latter part of the regular season by a nagging turf toe injury, Crowell was back at full strength a week ago, blistering Thomasville for 305 yards and five touchdowns. The 13-0 Yellow Jackets are well aware that if Crowell gets anywhere close to those numbers tonight, the 13-0 top-ranked Tigers will be impossible to beat.

"No one has stopped him yet, but we can't let him go crazy," said Calhoun junior linebacker Alex Kirby, the team's leading tackler and the author of several knee-knocking hits in the team's three playoff games. "I look forward to it, just facing somebody who is the No. 1 player in the state. It's a serious challenge for us."

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Crowell has, according to scouting services, more than 40 big-time collegiate offers and had planned to announce his decision the day following the state championship game. However, after taking official visits to Alabama and Georgia in the past two weeks, he said this week he is delaying his decision.

Scouts have gone so far as to call Crowell the state's best running back prospect in more than a decade. According to Calhoun coaches, Crowell has a rare combination of elusiveness and power, making it nearly impossible for defenses to shut him down. Given a front line that includes University of South Carolina recruit Quincy McKinney (6-3, 285) and three others over 250 pounds, running lanes are usually available.

The key to containing Crowell, according to Kirby and fellow hard-hitting linebacker Hunter Knight, is to funnel his runs inside.

"We know he will get his yards, but if we can keep him from busting big runs, we'll be in good shape," said Knight, who has 115 tackles, including 15 for loss. "We have to be careful where we line up and we can't let him get outside. He's a great back, but I don't think he's been hit like our defense can hit."

In each of Calhoun's three postseason games, Kirby has delivered big hits early on opposing backs. Does he plan on sending a similar message tonight?

"I would like to, but you never know, he might jump right up and still have a great game," said Kirby, who has 140 tackles, 25 for loss and four caused fumbles. "We just have to make tackles and not get caught up in trying to make big hits all the time."

Kirby and Knight expect to have one major factor on their side tonight: a rowdy home crowd. Though the Tigers have won at several difficult stadiums this year, the Calhoun players believe they've not seen anything like Phil Reeve Stadium.

"There's nothing like playing at The Reeve," Kirby said. "The atmosphere, with the fans right on top of you and very loud, it will be tough on them. It should be a great game."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296.