Taurean Crawford, Elkins
GOALS OF GOLD: Elkins' Crawford Eyes Championships, College Football Future
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Crawford has 37 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three fumbles caused through seven games this season and is one of the premier defensive talents in Fort Bend ISD.
Beyond his obvious physicality, Crawford moves considerably well for his size. In fact, it's what Crawford takes the most pride in.
"I feel like my footwork and speed make me a special defensive lineman," he said. "While I do play with plenty of aggression, I can be very smooth on the field as well."
In past years, Crawford has been quiet and reserved on the field, trying to find his place and voice. Not anymore.
Now he is a seasoned veteran, more comfortable leading vocally. He also provides an admirable example for others with how much time he spends in the weight room and watching film.
"What motivates me most is that I can accomplish mine and every male in my family's dream of playing at the next level," Crawford said.
When he's not tending to his goals of college ball and championships, Crawford is spending time with the three horses his family owns.
"My family and I already had enough dogs, so we wanted to try something different," he said.
He also loves watching Netflix's Last Chance U and Lil Baby is his preferred listen before games.
And getting better, as a player and as a team, is the M.O.
"I expect us to improve tremendously, because we have a lot of important returners on offense and defense coming back," Crawford said. "Our motivation is to be better than last year. That pushed us every day during the off-season."
This story appeared in the Inaugural VYPE Fort Bend ISD Fall Edition, which is now available to pick up at your local Fort Bend ISD High Schools.
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Ashley Arnold, Elkins
MOTHER HEN: Knights' Arnold a Home Run On and Off the Court
Arnold, who plays mostly right-side hitter because she's left-handed, is a natural athlete.
In her first year playing soccer, she won the Knights' varsity starting goalkeeper job last season.
Besides the opportunity to play alongside her "best friend" and younger sister, incoming sophomore Lindsey, soccer also helped Arnold with her volleyball instincts, as far as reading and reacting to the ball.
"I dove so much, so even now in volleyball I'm so much more comfortable completely flying to get a ball out of the air," Arnold said.
Arnold could very well find interest from colleges to play at the next level, but being introduced to aerospace as part of Elkins' engineering academy last year has broadened her goals.
Building and creating things are as much of a passion of Arnold's as sports.
"When I was little, I was set on playing sports in college," said Arnold, whose parents played collegiately. "Right now, I think I just want to go to college and focus on school and studies and figure out what I want to do."
Arnold talked more with VYPE.
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VYPE: What did you take away from going through a pandemic last season?
ARNOLD: I definitely learned how important it is to have support. When you're in your room all day studying online, and you're finally able to go see people for a few hours, those girls become like your family. It was the only interaction I'd have those days besides my own family.
VYPE: When it comes to hitting, what do you think comes naturally to you?
ARNOLD: I think I've definitely grown in being able to see the court. When I'm about to swing, I'm paying attention to where the block is, where the defense is. Because maybe there's not an open spot, but maybe I can take out the setter so they can't run their offense.
VYPE: What is something people may not know about you?
ARNOLD: How much I care about other people. When I was little, all my teachers would call me a mother hen because I'd worry if a kid didn't have his juice box or something. Even now, my coaches tell me they've never seen a kid interact with freshmen like I do. I appreciate those younger girls who have that love for the game and passion to get better like I did when I was on the freshman team. I'll sit before a varsity game, talking to the younger girls about their game or day or classes. I love being able to support everyone.
This story appeared in the Inaugural VYPE Fort Bend ISD Fall Edition, which is now available to pick up at your local Fort Bend ISD High Schools.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW & PURCHASE MORE PHOTOS