Guest Kelly Football Posted August 27, 2008 Report Posted August 27, 2008 North Forest shaping up as 19-4A powerhouse From sports staff reports Baytown Sun Published August 28, 2008 HOUSTON — What do you get when you cross a golden eagle with a jaguar? In North Forest ISD, you get a Bulldog. When budget constraints and declining enrollment led trustees of the North Forest ISD’s to merge M.B. Smiley and Forest Brook high schools, a chapter closed on a rivalry, and a new book was begun. The new school is on the setting of the old Forest Brook High School but has a new name, North Forest High School, new athletic colors, black and old gold, and a new nickname, the Bulldogs. North Forest opens its season Friday night at Bellaire Episcopal. The Bulldogs open District 19-4A play by hosting Goose Creek Memorial Sept. 19. Chosen to lead this merry band of Bulldogs is former Smiley coach Lionel Crawford. “We’ve had these kids since the spring,†said Crawford, who led Smiley to an 8-3 record and a berth in the state 4-A playoffs. “And it’s funny, unless a kid has on a jacket or shirt from one of the schools; it’s hard to anyone to tell who went where.†They got a little of the same situation last year when Forest Brook students had to attend classes at Smiley because of water damage at their school caused by vandalism. “We really didn’t have much of a problem then, either,†said Crawford, who graduated from Aldine High School, before attending University of Wisconsin and then had a brief stint as a receiver with the Green Bay Packers. “When we did have altercations, it wasn’t Smiley kids against Forest Brook kids. It was just kids being kids. At that point, I knew that there was hope. There was never any division on campus.†“We’re still working very hard on chemistry,†Crawford said. “But we still have to find a way to play together. “The rivalry is when they play each other. They go to elementary school together, go to middle school together, and then part ways in high school.†What excites Crawford is that he’s got a combination of two teams, which means lots of experience. The Bulldogs will open with an experienced group with 10 lettermen on both offense and defense, virtually unheard of at a new school. “They’ve experienced the bumps and bruises and know what it’s like to be under the Friday Night lights, and there’s no substitute for having been there,†Crawford said. “With the talent that we have, we give ourselves a better chance to compete with teams like Dayton and Crosby. We have numbers, and numbers bring about competition. Competition elevates your play. “If we stay healthy, if kids buy into the system and we can deal with adversity, and we have a little luck, I think we have an opportunity to contend.†Rival coaches agree. Don Price, the athletic director for District 19-4A foe Barbers Hill, is very familiar with the athletes who formerly played for Smiley and Forest Brook. “I think their potential in football, basketball and track is unlimited,†he said. “They’re about 15 kids under a 5A school right now. “They’re going to get the best of both schools, and if they can get it going in the right direction, look out.†With four offensive linemen returning from Smiley and two more from Forest Brook, you can look for the Bulldogs to run a power set, some option, and misdirection. “We’ll be under the center 100 percent of the time,†Crawford said. One of the offensive weapons that the Bulldogs will count on heavily is Michael Sigers, someone who brings a wide smile to Crawford’s face. “You could have me talking about him for hours,†beamed the coach. “He’s a great kid, great student and that’s just academically. “Athletically, he’s what coaches and media refer to as ‘having it.’ He’s not very big, but he runs about a 4.3 40-yard dash. He’s well-defined, has good vision, and very, very quick-footed. We’ll do whatever it takes to get the ball in his hands.â€
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