A winning legacy

Batesville quarterback a leader on and off the field

Batesville quarterback Kenton Crawford carries the ball against Pulaski Academy in the Class 4A state semifinals. Crawford is the Three Rivers Edition Offensive Player of the Year.
Batesville quarterback Kenton Crawford carries the ball against Pulaski Academy in the Class 4A state semifinals. Crawford is the Three Rivers Edition Offensive Player of the Year.

BATESVILLE — Two-year Batesville Pioneer starting quarterback Kenton Crawford always knew he would play football.

Even when Crawford was a kid in elementary school, Batesville head football coach Dave King said he remembers hearing that Crawford wanted to be on the high school field someday. Then, however, Crawford wanted to play at tailback.

King’s response was simple — “the only guy who touches the ball every play is the quarterback, not the tailback.” Apparently, Crawford wanted to keep his hands on the ball. After a sophomore season as a free safety on the opposite side of the ball, Crawford finally stepped into the quarterback position.

With Crawford (6-3, 185) at the helm in 2014, the Batesville Pioneers finished 11-2, won the 5A-East championship and reached the Class 5A semifinals before losing 42-25 to the Pulaski Academy Bruins, who were the eventual state champs.

“For me, personally, it was a great season,” Crawford said. “We weren’t supposed to be as good as we were. I did the most I could to motivate our young [offensive] line to be the best we could, and it was a really successful season.”

This season, Crawford racked up 1,716 passing yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 105 of 198 passes, with just three interceptions. He rounded that out with 774 rushing yards, and eight touchdowns on 108 carries. He also ended the season with being named this fall’s 5A-East District Back of the Year Award winner, as well as being recognized as the Three Rivers Edition Offensive Player of the Year.

“I think Kenton is as good of an athlete as we have had during my 19 years at Batesville,” King said, “with everything combined — his speed, quickness, athletic ability — but also from the intelligence part of it. Knowing the game, studying the game, studying film and quarterback training in the spring, he is basically at the top of the list, right there at the top of anybody we’ve had in the terms of an outstanding player or leader.”

Even though Crawford was an important part of the 2014 season for the Pioneers, this isn’t the first time he has been recognized for his accomplishments on the field. This season’s selection as an Arkansas Activities Association Class 5A All-State and All-District athlete was his second year in a row for both honors.

“Outstanding back in the conference was a big [award] because of all of the good backs and players in our conference. To get that was a big honor,” Crawford said.

When reflecting on his senior season, Crawford said he has had quite a few fantastic memories, but one particular play stands out. During the 5A-East District championship game against Wynne, Crawford connected with senior receiver Justin Gallant for a 70-yard touchdown pass that helped to bring the Pioneers ahead of the Yellowjackets and turned the tide of the game, allowing for a 34-28 win for Batesville.

“That was probably one of the most spectacular plays I’ve seen as a coach,” King said.

No matter how pivotal the play, Crawford remains at ease and knows that at the end of the day, it is really just a game, but a game that he loves.

“I know everything is going to be OK, but if you start to worry about it, it is only going to get worse,” Crawford said. “If you stay calm, better things are more likely to happen.”

Off the field, Crawford is equally exceptional. King said Crawford maintains a 3.8 grade-point average and still finds time to serve as a mentor to younger students in the district. On Fridays during the season, the football team visits elementary schools, and Crawford is always extended a warm welcome because he is easily a favorite, King said.

However, Crawford said he credits his mom with much of his motivation to be a good role model, because he said she always told him, “’You don’t know who is going to look up to you.’”

“When I was a little kid, I remember looking up to the varsity Pioneer players, and I thought they were like superheroes,” Crawford said. “I figure that if I am good to [the kids], maybe they will want to be the same way I am, and they are going to be the future.”

That mentality is one of the things King said sets Crawford apart from many other student-athletes.

“You don’t want your legacy to just be a win-loss, you want to remember what the younger kids think of you,” King said. “He doesn’t get too big for his britches, and he actually takes his legacy to heart. I think that is very telling of him.”

Crawford also participates in the the Adopt a Sophomore program, which is an opportunity to help with the high school transition for younger students by pairing them with a senior.

“It is a good thing for the younger kids, and it helps them to feel welcomed,” Crawford said. “I was adopted by our senior quarterback when I was a sophomore. He helped me figure out how to learn the plays. He made a big contribution [to my football career].”

That contribution by Crawford’s mentor, coupled with Crawford’s dad serving as a childhood coach and an athlete himself, brought Crawford to be the standout quarterback he is today. Football isn’t the only sport Crawford stands out in, though. He also is a two-year starting guard for the Pioneer basketball team and a returning three-year starter for the baseball team, playing shortstop, center field and even spending a little time on the pitching mound.

Next year Crawford will head to college, and because of his ability at multiple sports, he has options. He might play football, but then again, he might not. Even though he has not made a firm commitment, Crawford said he is considering playing both football and baseball at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, but also tossing around the idea of focusing entirely on baseball at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro.

Regardless of what the future holds for Crawford, he said he will always fondly remember his time as a part of the Batesville Pioneer football team.

“I feel like I had a good career, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” Crawford said. “The players I got to play with and the things we got to accomplish — I really appreciate it.”

Staff writer Wendy Miller can be reached at (501) 399-3616 or wmiller@arkansasonline.com.

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