Madison County Red Raiders

By Jeff Cochran  |  jeff.cochran@onlineathens.com  |  Story updated at 10:25 pm on 9/1/2009

DANIELSVILLE - Enjoying a hot dog in the stands of a junior varsity basketball game at Madison County last winter, Red Raiders football coach Randell Owens felt a large hand rest on his shoulder.

Looking up, the coach saw a towering figure smiling down at him.

"Coach, I'm going to play for you this fall," the imposing figure said.

Senior Patrick McCrary has been a standout on the Madison County basketball team since his freshman season, which is about the time Owens started recruiting him to play football as a receiver for the Red Raiders.

Last season, McCrary was named to the All-Northeast Georgia second team in basketball after leading the Red Raiders in scoring (15 points per game) and rebounds (10).

But even as he excelled on the court, McCrary was always interested in playing on the football team. Football was actually his first sport, playing in recreational leagues as a kid. But he had to stop because of a knee injury.

That was when he picked up basketball.

When McCrary decided he wanted to get back into football, there was always one obstacle he could not overcome - objections from his mother.

"She was concerned about me getting injured, people hitting me," McCrary said. "Since I'm a taller guy, she was worried about people hitting me low and injuring my knee."

Even when he gave his word to Owens, McCrary had not received permission to play football from his mom. That required McCrary to do some talking and hoping.

McCrary had not received permission to play football from his mom. That required McCrary to do some talking and hoping.

"She gave it a lot of thought," McCrary said. "My dad was in favor of it, so I was hoping he would help me out. I was surprised when she said I could play."

At 6-foot-2, 240 pounds and with head-turning speed, McCrary had all the makings of a dangerous wide receiver. But he couldn't tell the difference between a flag route and a paper route, so the learning curve was steep.

Owens' biggest concern was how McCrary would react when a safety or linebacker had the senior in their sights.

"The biggest thing was blocking and taking a hit," he said. "I've seen a lot of players look good until they get whacked. They don't let you do that in basketball. Raw talent will only get you so far."

But Owens didn't need to worry about his new receiver's durability. Contact isn't only something McCrary can handle, he invites it.

"I like the physical part of it," McCrary said. "I'm looking for contact. I'm not trying to shake or move by a tackler. The first time I got hit, I was like, 'I can get used to this.' "

Next for McCrary was learning how to run routes. He remembers walking into the Madison County fieldhouse one day and seeing a white board covered with plays, none of which he could decipher.

He wasn't relieved until a coach told him that not every play was designed for him. It didn't take long for the senior to catch onto his new position.

"He's got the basics," Owens said. "He knows how to create space, how to break coverage and how to attack a guy's technique." 

McCrary received his first real taste of varsity football in Madison County's 28-6 loss to Rockdale County last Friday. He led the team with two receptions for 25 yards.

The Red Raiders were down 14-6 before their first offensive possession, making it difficult for Owens to get the ball in McCrary's hands.

"He did well. I was disappointed we couldn't get the ball to him more," Owens said. "He caught everything thrown to him that was catchable."

McCrary said he was nervous before the start of the game, but was immediately comfortable once the game started.

"I really liked it a lot," he said. "Once I got into the groove, the rest of the game went by smoothly."

Owens said that had McCrary been playing with the Red Raiders since his freshman year, he would have big colleges clamoring for him at this point - but that opportunity isn't lost.

McCrary said schools like Georgia State and Georgia Tech have expressed interest in him - another development the senior did not see coming. But with just one varsity game under his belt, McCrary is staying focused on the season in front of him.

"I told all the players that I just want to make it to state," McCrary said. "My main priority is to do the best I can."

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, September 02, 2009