The Crane Coyotes program had officially started last year with flag, freshman, JV, and varsity teams. Since this was the first time that many of them had ever played flag or tackle football, the teams were a little shaky at first. However, over time, these teams have grown and proven that, even with a rough start, that they can achieve an outstanding finish. And for the JV Coyotes, this includes a "Super Bowl" win!

This year, the young kids put in 100-percent effort and work into the season, and it paid off. The Freshman and JV teams made it past the first round of playoffs, and the JV made it all the way to the superbowl! 

On Nov 20, the Crane Coyotes went against the Greenwood Rangers to settle who would be taking home the championship title. 

The JV Coyotes loaded up in a limo, dressed in suits like real NFL players, and even had their own send-off to Midland, just like actual NFL players on their way to the Super Bowl!

From the beginning, the Coyotes were off to a good start. The Rangers kept up with the Coyotes the whole game, however. The Coyotes, though, brought home the championship title with the score of 19-18!

With countless two-hour practices since June, and making it after multiple rounds to the playoffs, the Crane County JV Coyotes are this year's 2022 Super Bowl champs!

Jaxon Willis, recent CHS graduate, coached the Super Bowl-winning JV Coyotes. He said that the kids made him proud with all their hard work and dedication. 

“It was very close the entire game,” he said. “We were up by a point, and they had just scored a touchdown. If they went for a 2 point conversion, they would’ve won, and that’s what they tried. We stopped them, though, and thankfully won the game.” 

Willis was pleased with the growth that his team made throughout the year. 

“Many of these kids have never played football before, so they were a little bit unskilled at first. But as the season progressed, they got better and better and eventually became good enough to win the Super Bowl.” 

Unfortunately, the other Coyotes teams didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, but they made so much more progress than last year, and the future looks bright for them.

The community is so excited to see what the Crane Coyotes have in store for us next year!

Job Title: CISD Director of Technology

Are you married: If so, how long have you been married: Yes, long enough to know what she is thinking from the look on her face and when to duck.

How long have you been in education: I have worked in education for about eight years total.

Where were you before Crane: I lived in Idaho prior to moving back to Crane. I worked with a non-profit that did humanitarian aid work around the world.

What do you do for fun: I like to watch movies with my kids and learn how to do new things.

What do you like most about working in education: I love seeing how students develop and grow over time. It’s amazing to see someone learn about a topic and then start to apply it in their lives.

What is one of your hidden talents: I can juggle flaming bowling pins. Not really, but I can fix most of the things that my boys break, which I think is a talent.

Children/Grand Children: Yes to children. No to grandchildren. 

Do you have any pets? If so, what types of pets and what are their names?: I have a dog and five chickens.

What is your dream vacation: I would love to travel to Tierra del Fuego, which is the southern most tip of South America.

What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies: Movies: Galaxy Quest, Last of the Mohicans, and Tears of the Sun. Books: The Bible, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and The Wingfeather Saga

If you won the lottery and decided to give up working in education, what would you do instead: I would use the money to start vocational training schools around the world in areas where people don’t have access to traditional education. (I know this is still education, but that’s my answer). I might also buy a large ranch in Eastern Idaho that has a view of the Teton Mountains and my own river to fly fish in.

What would the students be surprised to find out about you: I own a 1971 Dodge Dart 2-door hard top.

What inspires you: Stories where people overcome adversities that we all might face.

Is there anything else you would like to share: I guess if I could only say one thing to our students, it would be to encourage them to really consider a life following Jesus. I have done that, and He has given me a fulfilling and exciting life with peace when everything around me was in chaos.

Crane started off great, up at the half, but after that things started falling apart.

Junior, Trey Larsen, said he felt pretty good going into the game, but when the 4th quarter started, the team collapsed.

Larsen said he felt that this year's basketball team will be good because the team has been bonding.

The Golden Cranes will play at home Tuesday night.

Crane’s JV A basketball team also lost against the Monahans Lobos, 22-49.

Crane started off good and had a lot of good assists, but going into the third quarter, they started losing steam.

Freshman, Jacob Bejarano, said basketball feels a million times faster than it did in middle school.

Bejarano mentioned that he was definitely disappointed in the loss, because he knows how much potential the team has. He said the team hopes to go into the next game with a more positive attitude and to play smart for the entire game. 

Freshman, Brayson Newberry, said, “I think we are warming up to the season.”

Newberry also says they are going to get better over the season because they will build a bond.

Come support your boys and girls basketball teams!

Freshman, Shae Coates, was happy with how the Lady Birds performed. 

“Overall, I think we played really well. The past few games, things have finally been clicking, and we’ve been playing 100 times better.”

Coates said that teamwork was instrumental to their decisive victory. 

”We were very excited. We saw how we came together and finally did what we’ve been trying to do.

Junior, Tatum Flores, said nerves got to her before the game, but she leveled out soon after that. 

“Before, I was nervous to play, and after I was proud of how we all performed.”

Flores felt like patience was a main struggle for the Lady Birds.

“We didn't have patience, and that started to hurt us, but we started to correct it later in the game.”

The Lady Birds are off to a great start. Come support them as they continue along and hopefully put together a winning streak.