KFDM COOP Posted June 9, 2008 Report Posted June 9, 2008 Crawford embraces challenge of new role with North Forest Ex-Smiley coach works on melding football squads In early April, players from Forest Brook and Smiley high schools met on the same football field, only this time they weren't playing each other. When Smiley coach Lionell Crawford gathered the players — who make up the newly formed North Forest High School Bulldogs — the Smiley-Forest Brook rivalry officially ended. Facing a serious money shortage, North Forest ISD merged the two high schools. North Forest High School will conduct business on the Forest Brook campus and will open its doors in August. With the changes taking place throughout the district, Crawford is working to make the football teams' merger a smooth transition. "We have the challenge of making this a very positive football season," Crawford said. "That is what the community needs." Crawford got a taste of merging players from different teams in Saturday night's Blue Chip Classic All-Star Game, as he coached the North team to a 13-12 victory. Crawford had players from 16 schools for a total of three practice days. "It reminded me of the NFL, where you gather all these players together from all over the place and make one team out of them," he said. Crawford enjoyed a brief stint as a receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the mid-1990s following his career at the University of Wisconsin. He then went into coaching, eventually landing the head coaching position at Smiley in 2007 and guiding the Eagles to the Class 4A playoffs last season. "He was a great choice to take over for the new high school," North Forest ISD athletic director Jenkins Mason III said. "He has been at different levels of the game, and he did a great job at Smiley. "I think he can take this new team and make it a positive experience for the players." The new school remains controversial, but Crawford insists there hasn't been an ounce of trouble on the field. "It's been tremendous so far," he said. "I like all of the kids, and I think we have some high-quality talent." Crawford said it won't be easy to start fresh, but he is prepared. The coaching staff is a mix from both schools; the facilities are all at Forest Brook. Mason said there are concerns from parents and community members about kids from both schools getting fair playing time. "All of these concerns have to be addressed, and Crawford can handle it," Mason said. "There will be adjustments, definitely," Crawford said. "But we just want to make a great football team here and get the school district and the community in a positive spotlight again."
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