Looking Back on 2006: A 3-7 season

is not the norm at Booker T. Washington as the Bookers are a program more

accustomed to hovering around the top of the Eastern District standings than the

bottom. The team's defense was solid if unspectacular in '06 ranking near

the top ten for stinginess. Offensively however, the Bookers had problems consistently finding the end zone despite

the fact that they moved the ball fairly regularly. The light at the end of the tunnel for

Bookers fans is that the team lost three tight games last year (Norview 12-6 in

OT, Churchland 12-0, and Lake Taylor 20-14) meaning that the squad was not

terribly far from a 6-4 season and that they kept fighting hard and playing

until the end.

First year coach Ron Bolton's first goal will

be to find a way for the Bookers to finish drives and put points on the board

better than they did last year. Though they ranked in the upper half of

the region for both rushing and passing yards, the Bookers were in the lower

half of the rankings for scoring average in 2006. With running backs Eric

Tyson (5-10, 185), who rushed for 148 yards on 30 carries against Norview

last season, and Jayvon Smith (5-11, 205) returning in the backfield, the

team's ground game should be effective. Rasuul Crenshaw (5-9, 165), a

sophomore, adds both depth and youth. Senior Cordarol Madison (6-0, 180)

returns at wide receiver after earning second team All-District honors last

season. With 4.5 speed, he can be a dangerous weapon on the outside along

with senior wideout Anthony Church (6-0, 180) who mans the other side.

Tight end Curtis Crumity (6-3, 220), a senior, gives the Bookers a big guy on

the end of the line for blocking and a large target in the middle of the

field. An offensive line featuring four seniors should give the skill

players room to operate as Wesley Johnson (6-2, 275), Dominique Sivels (6-3,

295), James Humphrey (6-2, 265) and Jerry Hughes (6-3, 250) provide plenty of

size and muscle up front.

A defense which was pretty solid in 2006,

should be even better this season as a number of major contributors return on

the unit. Linemen Jerry Hughes (6-3, 250), Dominique Sivels (6-3, 295),

James Humphrey (6-2, 265), Curtis Crumity (6-3, 220) and Wesley Johnson (6-2,

275), all seniors, make for a large front which will be tough to move.

Linebacker Jayvon Smith (5-11, 205) will sweep up anyone who gets through the

line as he comes off of a first team All-District season in '06 and may be the

team's best all-around athlete. In the

defensive backfield, seniors Anthony Church (6-0, 180) and David Knight (5-9,

165) will hold down two spots while the others are handled by juniors Eric Tyson

(5-10, 185) and Robbie Norfleet (5-9, 170). On the whole, the defense can

improve slightly on their 2006 numbers, especially against the pass, but there

is not too much room to grow as they were nearly a top ten unit last

season. With the right players doing the right things at the right times,

the Bookers could have a somewhat dominating defense on the field.

2007 Outlook: First year Head

Coach Ron Bolton played defensive back in the NFL so it's reasonable to expect

that the Bookers will be a defensive-minded club and that they will improve

their pass defense which will strengthen the entire unit. Again, the challenge for Bolton will be to get the ball into the end

zone on a more consistent basis and, as with all first year coaches, the team

will have to put in a lot of work to understand any new schemes and

philosophies. Win some close games and catch a break or two somewhere and the Bookers

could contend for a playoff spot, though it seems unlikely that they will be in the hunt for a district title.

Opening with Oscar Smith, Warwick and Lake Taylor on the front half of the

schedule could mean a slow start for the squad, but if they gel and can knock

off teams in pick 'em type games, Bolton's first year could include more than

just the ten regular season games.