Nocona counting on McCasland's experience at QB to lead team back to playoffs

The question elicits a hearty chuckle from Nocona football coach Blake Crutsinger followed by a good-natured sigh.

Crutsinger’s favorite play from quarterback Brady McCasland’s junior year wasn’t one of his 20 touchdown passes. Nor can it be found on any Hudl highlight reel.

It happened late in the Indians’ district opener against Whitewright. Nocona clung to a seven-point lead and faced a third and short near midfield needing a conversion to ice the game.

McCasland’s braced knee had kept him from using his legs, but given the stakes, Crutsinger had called a designed draw. If Whitewright had that sniffed out, then McCasland was to hit Jonathan Stone immediately on a swing pass.

“He was acting like the play wasn’t going to work,” Crutsinger said. “His body language was terrible. He was hurt and he wasn’t running a whole lot.”

At the snap, Whitewright’s interior rush forced McCasland to ditch the draw. A Tiger linebacker was sitting on the swing pass so Stone turned upfield and McCasland’s ad-libbed throw resulted in a game-sealing first down.

“If he’d thrown it when I told them, it would have probably been a pick-six. But he eluded the rush, and Johnny had enough sense to run a wheel route,” Crutsinger said. “He came over and said, ‘I told you that wasn’t going to work. By the way, you’re welcome.’”

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You could argue that sequence is a microcosm of both McCasland’s growth at the game’s most important position and his strengthened relationship with his head coach.

Crutsinger is entering his third season leading the Indians and hasn’t ever had to start anyone else at quarterback. McCasland has been taking varsity snaps since his freshman year and continues to hone his craft.

“We can do a lot more right now than we could two years ago,” Crutsinger said. “We’ve taken things that we like to do and have counters off that like double moves. Brady is a confident cat, and he has no problem saying what he likes and doesn’t like.”

McCasland benefitted from a second season in Crutsinger’s offense and Nocona’s drop to 2A. His touchdown pass totals more than doubled (9 to 20) and so did his yardage total (761 to 1,612), while his interception frequency was sliced in half.

Crutsinger said part of McCasland’s statistical improvement can be tied to Nocona’s receivers catching and attacking the ball better in the air. His decision-making as a junior was refined, too.

The head coach and quarterback have an open relationship, which Crutsinger said is crucial. McCasland has adapted his game, becoming more comfortable in the pocket after preferring to throw on the run.

“Arm strength is his biggest difference now,” Crutsinger said. “We’ve wanted him to throw the post and fade, but he didn’t like doing it. Even last summer, he wasn’t the biggest fan. He busts his butt in the weight room and can throw it a heck of a lot further now.”

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There will come a time Crutsinger will have a different quarterback leading the Indians, but he isn’t worried about looking too far ahead. Nocona is coming off an 8-3 season and has enough firepower to compete for a district title after finishing second last year.

For now, McCasland should keep making the play-calling Crutsinger look good. No thanks required.

OFFENSE

McCasland’s top receiver will be senior Charlie Fuller, who caught 40 passes for 520 yards and eight TDs last year. Cooper Waldrip will be a speedy target and Crutsinger expects 6-foot-3 junior Caden Gaston to play a bigger role.

The Indians return their three interior linemen in guards Kasch Johnson and Mathew Johnson plus senior center Matthew Page.

Stone is just as valuable as McCasland as a leader. He’s coming off a 1,146-yard junior season and is a load to bring down at 205 pounds.

“Brady’s going to have weapons,” Crutsinger said. “I don’t feel like we’re one-dimensional. We might be as balanced as I’ve ever been.”

DEFENSE

Waldrip thrived at strongside linebacker after McCasland got banged up last season, earning first-team all-district honors. His emergence has allowed McCasland to return to safety.

“He’s not real big, but he’s got some footspeed and is smart enough to tackle people low,” Crutsinger said of Waldrip. “(Stone) reads the game really well at mike linebacker and does a good job of not letting the offensive line get their hands on him.”

Junior linemen Jake Pribble and Kasch Johnson will be stalwarts in the Indians’ 4-3 defense. Fuller at free safety and Gaston (three INTs) will bolster the secondary.

EXTRA POINT

It has been 11 years since Nocona last recorded a playoff victory. Only Burkburnett (2008) has a longer area drought at the 11-man level. The Indians’ last postseason win was a 15-13 third-round takedown of Gunter in 2012.

Nocona Indians

Head Coach: Blake Crutsinger (third year)

Last year’s record: 8-3

Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense

Base offense/defense: Multiple Spread/Multiple 4-3

Last playoff appearance: 2022 (Lost to Bangs in bi-district)

Last district title: 2012

Aug. 25 at Era 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 1 at Quanah 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 vs. Electra 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 15 vs. Chico (H) 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Valley View 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Whitewright* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Trenton* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Tioga* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs. Tom Bean* 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 3 at Alvord* 7:30 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR/FS Charlie Fuller (Sr.) – Entering his third season as a two-way starter, Fuller (40-520-8) has become Brady McCasland’s favorite target.

GAME TO WATCH: Oct. 20 at Tioga – If the Indians want to end an 11-year district title drought, they’ll need to beat the defending champ Bulldogs on the road.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: 2023 Nocona Indians Texas high school football season preview