UPPER CHICHESTER TWP. — Chris Craig is entering his first season at the helm of Chichester’s football program and the veteran of the local coaching scene is looking to make an impact at his alma mater.
Craig built his discipline-based program philosophy through stints at Glen Mills, Ridley, Haverford School and Neumann-Goretti. At each of those stops, the Chichester graduate learned a lot along the way. A keen attention to detail is something he wants to instill in his group of Eagles.
“I learned a lot by working at all of those programs,” said Craig, who credits former Ridley coach Ralph Batty for helping him sharpen his ability as an offensive play-caller by practicing against Batty’s notoriously staunch defenses. “Offseason conditioning is huge. All of the successful programs really don’t end. A new season starts in January with a new sense of maturity. There is competition and you have to test the kids. Even having the younger kids see the older players go at it in the weight room, you want them to feel like they want to be part of that.
“It’s one thing for them to listen to coaches, but it’s another to see their older peers putting in the effort, listening to the coaches, and working to get better.”
The evidence of Craig’s impact so far is through his players, who had already absorbed his motto of “The standard is the standard” – a saying that he wants the team to use both on the field and off of it.
“The standard is the standard. That was the first thing (Craig) said when he got the job. He has high expectations for everyone on the team and we look forward to trying to get to that high standard,” said Kahleef Best, a two-way threat who will see action at running back and linebacker. “He says, ‘The standard is the standard’ so many times, it’s like it’s glued into your head. Make sure you are locked in, ready to go, and that you have a sharp mindset at all times.”
The foundation for Chichester will not just be built by the upperclassmen, however. Craig expects several youngster to play big roles, including sophomore two-way lineman Ankeem Benson.
“We’re a more veteran team than last year and we’re looking to be more consistent,” said Benson, who saw a lot playing time at the end of his freshman campaign. “(Craig) is making us better as a team and helping us work harder. He cares about us and cares about the program.”
Chichester will not lack weapons, either. Quarterback Danny Kelly will have several talented options to target, including seniors Derrick Robertson, Jayon Harris, Christian Craig, and Bajzhiir Reese, a transfer from Imhotep.
“(Reese) is lightning and we’ve got some guys that can stretch the field,” Craig said. “Derrick Robertson is a big target, who’s tough. Christian (Craig), when he gets rolling, can stretch the field. Jayon (Harris) is a possession receiver who gets to his spots and gets us down the field.
“We just want to keep the chains moving.”
Players like Jahmad Rosario (FB/LB), Walter Jones (DB), Eren Martin (RB/LB), Aaron “A.J.” Green (OL), Julian Marquez (OL/DL), Chase Brown (WR/DB), Hamza Clay-Goudelock (WR/S), Damir Miles-Willis (WR/DB), and Darius Weathers (SS) help form the core of what could be a very exciting squad.
One of Craig’s strategies was to go out and get the school’s best athletes back into the program. In doing so, Craig convinced senior baseball player Josh Claycomb (LB) to lay down his bat and glove for the fall to strap the pads back on.
Clearly, it’s a new day at Chichester and the players on the team are ready to buy in to what Craig is building.
“We just want to be a team that can play together as a team and win as a team. We want to be the fastest team, the most dominant team, the most hard-hitting team; we want all of that,” Best said. “The standard is the standard and there is nothing else to it.”
