Prep Player of the Week : He Led the Defense That Covered Lincoln Like a Glove

Before Crawford High School played Lincoln Friday in the game that would probably decide the City Central League title, Crawford Coach Chris Miller had been candid in explaining the defensive objectives to his players.

“We had to pressure the quarterback,” Miller said later. “We couldn’t just sit back and watch (Lincoln quarterback) Malcolm Glover throw the ball 60 yards downfield. Every time we saw some films, the defenses were sitting back and it was a big mistake.”

The talented Lincoln quarterback had been the main reason for his team’s rise to the top of the 2-A Conference rankings in the county. Largely because of Glover’s ability to exploit opposing defenses, Lincoln was favored to end Crawford’s two-year reign as league champions.

“Coach Miller told us we couldn’t just fold up and give them the league title,” Crawford defensive tackle Donell Pleasant said. “Everybody thought Lincoln was going to blow us out.”

The only thing blown out Friday was the Lincoln offensive line, which was buried under a fierce pass rush. Pleasant, a 5-foot 11-inch, 180-pound senior, sacked Glover four times in Crawford’s 23-15 win.

In leading the Crawford pass rush, which sacked Glover seven times and limited the Hornet offense to 141 yards, Pleasant was named The Times’ Player of the Week.

Pleasant, who also had six unassisted tackles and five assists, made the game’s biggest play with Crawford leading, 9-7, late in the third quarter. Pleasant sacked Glover, forced a fumble, then picked up the loose ball and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.

“I was bumped at the line,” Pleasant said. “I hit the ball and it took a wicked bounce right into my arms. I just saw the end zone and knew I was going all the way.”

Going all the way in the playoffs is something Crawford (3-0, 5-1-1) can begin thinking about after moving a game ahead of Lincoln (2-1, 4-3) on top of the league standings. Crawford has San Diego (0-3, 2-6) and Hoover (2-1, 5-2) in its path to the playoffs.

And the Crawford defense, which is traditionally among the county’s best, has elevated the Colts to top ranking.

“I have to say we have a great defense,” Pleasant said. “We’re fast and quick and we’re alert to the ball. We’re quicker off the ball than most defensive lines.”

Pleasant’s use of the word we when speaking of the defensive unit is of considerable contrast to what could have been. Pleasant was ineligible last season and was not necessarily in Crawford’s plans when practice started last spring.

“He wasn’t in the starting lineup during spring football,” Miller said. “We went to a blitzing lineup and he fit right in. He’s a complete football player. He’s ultra-quick.”

Pleasant said that, while sitting out last season, he never imagined he would play such a major role in a big win.

“I had to try harder than a lot of guys,” Pleasant said. “I wasn’t guaranteed anything.”

But for this week, Pleasant is on top of the county.