September 19, 2014, was the last night Strawberry Crest came out ahead on anyone’s scoreboard in the regular season. October 18, 2013, was the last night Strawberry Crest won in Dover during the season. Going from Oct. 19, 2013, to the present, that makes a total of five seasons, four graduating classes, three head coaches, two uniform changes and one regular-season win.
It may not be the most shocking news but, for the Chargers’ seniors and juniors, dealing with the infamous streak on and off the field has been a real drag. Everyone at that school wants to know when — “if,” for those less faithful — Crest will bust the slump.
To hear the Chargers themselves tell it, it’ll likely happen this season.
It’s all anyone will talk about around that corner of Gallagher Road, at least when you walk onto the practice field. The scheduling powers that be were far kinder to Crest in 2017 than 2016. The first two opponents won a total of two games last year. Crest beat Seminole, 13-7, in the preseason. The roster is better everywhere and the guys want to be there. Coach Ron Hawn said he’ll shave his head after beating a certain team (Hawn confirmed but declined to name the opponent). Every take you’d hear has optimism.
“Obviously, everybody’s really anxious to get that first win,” Hawn said.
ONE TO FORGET ABOUT
Hawn came aboard in 2016 hoping to lay down some roots and build a culture to last. He expected the tough schedule to favor the other teams during the season, though perhaps not to the tune of another 0-10 record.
Still, it wasn’t something he was unprepared for. Win or lose, the top priority was to let the winds of change blow through the program and see who was willing to adapt.
“Last year was about setting the tone,” Hawn said. “‘This is what we’re gonna do.’ We lost some kids as a result, but that’s the process. That’s what I expected.”
Crest came close to winning once in 2016, taking Middleton to a 12-10 final score on the road. Besides that, they often struggled to find the end zone and put points on the board — at one point taking back-to-back-to-back shutout losses to district foes Tampa Bay Tech (54-0), Lennard (23-0) and Durant (49-0).
The Chargers only scored more than 10 points once, when the team caught a wave against East Bay in October and rode it to the most success of the year. They lost, 34-21, but it was viewed as a turning point.
They then lost the last two games of the season to Bloomingdale and Gaither by a combined score of 75-12.
Braxton Plunk, then a sophomore, completed 109 of 238 pass attempts for 922 yards and seven touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Plunk’s favorite target was Zion Carr, who gained 272 yards and one touchdown, though Franklin Murphy caught three touchdown passes. Theo Williams led the ground game with 280 rushing yards, though Jaquell Narine gained 118 in his three games. No other Charger gained more than 63 yards for the season.
Other than Narine, all of those team leaders are now gone. Some guys graduated, some transferred and some left the team. It’s all part of the process, Hawn said, and the Chargers are ready to put 2016 behind them for good.
BACK TO THE DRAFTING TABLE
After coaching offense last year, he switched his focus to the defense and plans to run an upgraded version of the previous 4-2-5 formation. Hawn said the unit is in far better shape with the potential to be solid, despite a lack of size.
“Our weakest spot on defense is our secondary, and they’re not bad,” Hawn said. “They’re a little undersized but they can all run, they’re all extremely coachable and they’re doing everything that I ask them to do, which is pretty important.”
Hawn considers the defensive line the unit’s strongest asset. Running with a starting lineup of Kisean Ruth, Josh Young, Kagan Lioy and Garrett Neubaum, Hawn expects the front four to put pressure on offenses with their mobility. He’s also counting on senior Thomas Steed to provide leadership to the unit at middle linebacker.
“Heart and soul,” Hawn said. “He’s our fiery redhead. You couldn’t ask for something more awesome than a strawberry blonde middle linebacker at Strawberry Crest High School. He’s the hardest worker in the weight room. He’s one of the toughest kids we have out here. He’s extremely football smart.”
The secondary, Hawn said, is not lacking skill — just depth and experience. He’s particularly looking for good work from defensive backs Chad Grassel, Cody Newman, Hasan Sharrieff and Tyson Rosania.
On offense, the Chargers will work with three backs and count on new quarterback Jarrett Rappe to provide stability under center.
“He’s a big, tall, fast kid,” Hawn said. “He’s smart. He’s a hard worker. He’s a great leader in the weight room and on the field. Just a great kid.”
Rappe came in and developed a connection with wide receiver Jamar Hart, who started last year and now stands at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds.
Narine and Zane Tapper will share a backfield with fullback Tyler Hammond, whom Hawn calls “crazy” and “a workhorse.”
The offensive line isn’t quite where Hawn would like it to be just yet, but the coach said it’s headed in the right direction. He’s especially excited to bring aboard freshman Sebastian Fernandes, who is already bigger than Hawn himself.
Hawn’s long-term goal is still to build a stable, successful program in Dover with, as every coach hopes for, something to put in the trophy case. But for now, everyone in the program is committed to getting that win and giving the program something to build on.
“The kids who get on board, we’re going to give them the best experience possible,” Hawn said.