Crandall Pirates Football Team Begins Playoff Run with Home Game against Woodrow Wilson

 

For the first time in its program history, the Crandall Pirates will host a home playoff game. They play Woodrow Wilson Friday night at 7:00.

“It’s a big deal,” said head coach Kyle Hardin. “We missed out on points last year, and it was a big deal for our kids to get back in the playoffs.”

Crandall finished the regular season with a 9-1 overall record, including 6-1 in District 6-5A, Division II. The Pirates only loss came to district champion Midlothian Heritage.

Woodrow Wilson was the third-place team in District 5-5A, Division II. The Wildcats finished with a 7-3 overall record, including 5-2 in district play. 

This is Crandall’s first playoff appearance since 2022, when they beat Marshall in the first round before losing to Midlothian Heritage in the second round to finish 9-3.

Crandall’s nine regular season wins this year are the second-most in program history. Only the 1991 team had more, going 10-0 before losing in the third round of the playoffs. In 2019, the Pirates also went three rounds deep and finished 9-4.

Crandall will lean on a balanced offense.  Senior Kayson Rhea led the Pirates ground attack with 1,188 yards on 205 carries and 12 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Gauge Wickersham threw for 1,873 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. His main target was sophomore Jeremiah Douglas, who caught 61 passes for 995 yards and 11 scores.

On the defensive side, senior outside linebacker Brandon Wheeler led the Pirates with 84 tackles, including 18 tackles for loss. Senior Hudson West led the defensive line with 10 sacks and 75 tackles. Junior safety Lemahjae Collins recorded two pick-sixes and two forced fumbles, to go with 66 tackles. 

“It’s about us, it’s not about them,” said Coach Hardin about the Woodrow Wilson game. “We look at it as another week to get better and try to play our best ball on Friday night.”

The winner of this game will play the winner between Texarkana (10-0) and Nederland (7-3).

Tickets for this Friday’s game can be purchased at gofan.co or https://gofan.co/event/2214539?schoolId=TX16052.  Tickets will also be available at the gate.  

Pirate Productions will livestream the game. That link will come out later in the week, or fans can search “Pirate Productions” on YouTube.