Arquevious Crane was fighting for an extra yard in a game last season for the South Gwinnett Comets JV football team. With just one hit, the South Gwinnett JV team’s season, and Crane’s career, ended. Crane suffered a spinal-cord injury that would require two surgeries, but according to Comet head coach John Small, Crane is “rehabbing and progressing quite well,” and won’t require any more surgery. “He’s an amazing young man,” said Small of Crane. According to Small, the 6-foot-2 Crane was a varsity player simply playing JV last season to get some reps. This year’s team consists of a big group of sophomores with some juniors sprinkled in. This Thursday, the JV will take the field for the first time since Sept. 20, 2007, the night of the injury and a night we will never forget.
Immediately after the injury, Crane was unable to walk and underwent surgery at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. His fellow Comet teammates and students set out to help Crane through several fundraisers. The Band of the Stars shared their Taste of South Gwinnett proceeds with Crane’s family and the South Gwinnett Touchdown Club set up a fund at several local banks. Students even passed around a bucket during the school’s lunch periods.
Crane has returned to school and he will be at all of the Comet varsity games this season.
“Every day seeing him is an inspiration, not just on the field,” Small said. “He’s a great young man who never complains.” Ray Johnson, whose nephew played with Crane on the JV team last season, agrees: “He’s a great kid.”
Though he won’t be able to play, Crane’s presence will be a boost for both the JV and the varsity teams. “Just seeing his face each and every day is special for all of us,” says Small. “He reminds us how lucky we are.”
The JV team has no plans to wear a special patch or decal honoring Crane, though the varsity did that last season en route to a 6-5 record and playoff appearance. The team had not reached the playoffs since posting a 12-1 record in 2003.
The JV game this week against Brookwood will be “just a normal game,” as no special ceremonies have been planned. The team has four games scheduled (Thursday vs. Brookwood, at Loganville, at Berkmar, home against Parkview) with three more October dates to be announced.
The JV Comets will likely be led by sophomore quarterback Josh Kelly, though junior Roie Felix could drop down from varsity for some meaningful snaps. The JV team will have a stable of sophomore running backs with which to attack in Aaron Wimberly, Shane Madison and Darius Jones-Craven. The JV is loaded with receivers as well, including Xavier Foreman, Adrian Ranson, and Kevin Gray. The offensive line future for the Comets also looks promising, as 11 sophomores will cut their teeth this season.
The JV team is anxious to get out and play and the team will likely use Crane as inspiration.
“The kids are happy [Crane’s] back and he’s excited about getting back out [on the sidelines] with the guys,” Small said. In construction they say the job is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration. The Comets are ready to live out the second part of the project.
Proctor can be reached at fproctor@scoreatl.com.
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