If anyone knew what this young Durant flag football team was capable of this year, it was Randy Crone.
His input has so far proven to be exactly what the team needed this spring, after losing a number of key seniors to graduation and longtime head coach Brad Brunson. Working with just four seniors, Crone led the Lady Cougars to a 4-1 start this year. And the team was ready to battle Bloomingdale for one of the high seeds in the playoffs last Thursday.
“I love working with the girls,” Crone says. “They’re eager to learn, and they want to play. I love it.”
A FOOTBALL LIFE
Crone, a San Diego, California native, has been around the game of football for most of his life. After playing linebacker at Mira Mesa High School, Crone attended San Diego State University, put on some weight and played on the Aztecs’ defensive line. When he graduated from college, Crone spent some time working as a store manager at a Just for Feet store.
But he eventually found himself back in the game. Crone left the position to coach freshman and JV football at his alma mater, which was also possible thanks to a career change into the field of education. He started coaching in 2002 and moved to Florida in 2005 to be closer to his wife’s family.
Crone now teaches U.S. History and AP World History at Durant, and has been involved in both football programs during his time in the Plant City area. He was the JV football coach for one year before taking some time away from the sport and getting more involved with his daughter’s athletic career.
“She plays girls soccer, she does ice skating and gymnastics, and she got really into it,” Crone says. “So, I’d been trying to learn how to coach girls. I figured this might be my first job, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”
PROGRAM VETERAN
Crone came aboard Durant’s program in 2008, at the same time Brunson took over as head coach. The two men worked to take the team to highs it hadn’t previously reached.
“He’s been very successful, so it’s been really hard shoes to fill,” Crone says. “I think he’s fifth in the county in all-time wins. We’ve come a long way.”
Though the team has only won the district title once, it has won several runner-up awards. Last year’s team, led by senior quarterback Jessica McClernan, enjoyed an undefeated regular season before losing to Bloomingdale in the district championship game.
Even though many of that team’s top players left, Crone knew he had good reason to want to step up and take over the team.
“I was just real comfortable doing it,” he says. “A lot of the girls, I’ve been working with them since they were freshmen. So the fit was real easy. This year we only have four seniors, so I went with a youth movement to try and build the program even more.”
The team has 18 players on the roster this season, up from its usual 10 or 11. Plenty of sophomores, such as quarterback Megan Mooney, are seeing a lot of playing time on the field. And on JV, the roster is packed with 22 girls.
“The sport is really expanding,” Crone says. “Especially here at Durant. A lot more girls are getting interested in it. It’s been good.”
For the moment, all signs bode well for this program going forward under Crone’s leadership. All Cougar fans have to hope for now is a good playoff showing, and it sounds like this young team is ready to go.
“These girls, they love to play at a high level,” Crone says. “These girls take it seriously.”
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
CATCH A GAME
After next week’s game at East Bay High School, the Durant flag football team will have one home game left before playoff time. The game begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 23, against Armwood. For fans who missed Thursday’s Bloomingdale game, this will be one to watch.