The Crusaders avenged a previous loss in Week 2 to Muskegon by beating them in the Division 3 state championship game 41-25. Muskegon was undefeated and the #1 team in the state going into the game. Head coach Tyrone Spencer won his first championship in 2016 and this is his second in three years.
King has a strong winning tradition and is considered one of the top programs in the midwest. The Crusaders have been to the playoffs in 22 out of the last 24 seasons and have a combined 49-6 record over the last four years. King has won state championships in 2018, 2016, 2015, and 2007.
The Crusaders lost a lot of talent off the 2018 roster including Marvin Grant (Purdue), Dequan Finn (Toledo), Jalen McGaughy (Ball State), Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati), Darrell Wyatt (CMU), Rich Miller (Buffalo), Ray Williams (Howard), Deshawn Ingram (Howard), and Kristopher Frazier (Virginia Union). There were also another half dozen players that went to small colleges.
Players to Watch on Offense
The Crusaders averaged 36.71 points per game in 2018 and came on strong down the stretch in the playoffs. The top returning offensive players are Deondre Buford (6’4 265), Peny Boone (6’2 215), Rashawn Williams (6’0 190), and Brandon Honorable (6’6 255). All 4 seniors have over 70 combined Division 1 offers.
King is known for having a dominating offensive line and that will be the case again this year. They have two elite tackles in Buford and Honorable. Buford is the highest-rated player on the team and just committed to the University of Kentucky. Honorable has a Power 5 frame and has huge potential. Joe Satchel (6’4 270) and Marquise Knolton (6’3 330) are underrated and give King the size up front to help control the line of scrimmage.
Boone is arguably the best running back in the state and King will focus their attention on being a run-first offense in 2019. Boone, a Maryland commit, was 1st Team All-State last season and finished the season strong, rushing for 634 yards in the last 4 playoff games. His 52-yard touchdown run and 111 yards against Muskegon helped secure their state championship.
Williams is the go-to option in the passing game and has been a star since his sophomore season. He is committed to Indiana and has been clutch in big games. He will get help from Marshawn Lee (5’7 165), Rahiim Mersier (5’9 165), and Antonio Cowan (6’4 190).
Dante Moore (6’1 175), the freshman phenom that already has 4 Division 1 scholarship offers, will be the new starting quarterback. Moore and Michael Martin-El (6’2 170) were expected to compete for the job once two-a-days started, but Martin-El just quit the team. Moore is inexperienced, has loads of talent, but will not be asked to put the team on his shoulders to win games. They will create a game plan to ease him into everything and as he gets more comfortable they can open things up for him. The expectations are high for him with all the success and attention he has received.
Players to Watch on Defense
The defense had 3 shutouts and only allowed 16 points per game last season. The Crusaders have a fast and aggressive defense that swarms to the football. The strength of this year’s team will be the depth and talent in the secondary and their speed off the edge rushing the passer.
Jaylen Reed (5’11 185), Joseph Frazier (5’11 180), and Rishad Hence (5’11 160) are the Crusaders top 3 defensive backs. Reed is a 2021 prospect that already has 15 Division 1 offers. Frazier is a hard-hitting safety that racked up 11 tackles against Muskegon in the state championship game. Hence is an up and coming 2021 prospect that recently picked up his first Division 1 offer. They will also need strong contributions from junior Tyrell Stubblefield and senior Antoine Evans (5’9 190).
The player flying under the radar and one who could have a breakout year is senior Randy Winans. Winans is a 6’4 215-pound defensive end that has an explosive burst off the edge and will end up being a household name in the football community before the season is over. Djuan Crudup (6’0 210) will play on the opposite side of Winans at the other defensive end spot. Esean Carter (6’2 265) is a 2021 defensive tackle that got a lot of time last season. Justin Howard (6’1 255) and Kenny Jackson are both 2021 defensive line prospects that will be key players for the Crusaders.
Willie Blakes, Mike Miles, Brennis Williams, and Imani Dowdell are all linebackers that must step up this season. The opportunity will be there for one of these guys to emerge as the leader of this position group.
2019 Schedule
King has a target on their back and will get everyone’s best shot after winning the state championship 3 out of the last 4 years and being ranked #25 in the USAToday preseason national poll. They will get tested early this season, opening up against Detroit Catholic Central in week 1 at the Prep Kickoff Challenge, Muskegon in an East-West showdown in week 2, and will play their arch-rivals, Detroit Cass Tech, in week 4. This is a brutal schedule to start the season and will be a challenge.
2019 Outlook
The biggest question mark going into the season will be trying to replace Finn at quarterback. Those are big shoes to fill, but if the Crusaders can put together a game plan that will ease Moore into his new role and help him gain confidence early, King will have the balanced attack they need by the time playoffs start and in mid-November as they try and defend their title.
The bigs on the offensive line and Boone will be the driving force early and often this season, especially in the first four games. The Crusaders must be creative drawing up plays and adding new wrinkles, finding ways to get Rayshawn Williams 8-10 touches a game with a new quarterback. They must make teams pay when they try and stack the box and Williams will be the perfect guy to keep defenses honest.
The front 7 on defense don’t have the big names like past teams, but Winans will be the guy that will surprise everyone this season.
Look for the Crusaders to weather the storm that the first four weeks of the season will bring and expect them to be down at Ford Field on Thanksgiving weekend defending their title.
