football Archive

The Crestview football team wraps up spring practice Thursday night when the Bulldogs travel to DeFuniak Springs to take on the Walton Braves led by former Bulldog assistant coach Keith White.

Baker School principal had an easy job Thursday night as he stood on the field at Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium following the football team’s Maroon and White scrimmage introducing Matt Brunson as the next Gator head football coach. “I have the task of introducing a man that needs no introduction,” he said. “He’s the only person associated with every Baker state championship in football.”

It’s been a busy month for Baker School principal Mike Martello and athletic director John Carlisle.

In addition to their normal day-to-day activities as the school year ends, they’ve been heading a search committee for the next Gator football coach.

It has been about a month since Baker School announced it was parting ways with head football coach Barry Gardner on April 18. Led by athletic director John Carlisle, the school has since been in search for the next man to lead the storied program.

Spring football 2024 will be over for Crestview in a week.

The Bulldogs will travel the 25 miles east on Interstate 10 to play the Walton Braves led by former Crestview assistant coach and head boys basketball coach Keith White.

Crestview football coach Thomas Grant and his staff are having to mix and match their offensive talent this spring. And while there are many unknown players trying to get the attention of the coaching staff, that’s not the case for rising senior Karson Kolmetz.

Crestview football coaches and players will be getting a small taste of football throughout the spring that will have to last until the start of fall camp in early August.

Now entering his third season as the top dog, head coach Thomas Grant is ready to test his players in spring drills that conclude May 23 with the spring game at Walton High School.

Thomas Grant was all smiles as he discussed the start of spring football practice.

Now in his third year as the head coach, Grant has total confidence in his players and staff.

One can only wonder what might have been for Lazarius Parks in his Crestview High School football career had he avoided injuries. Parks, who, when healthy, was one of most dynamic play makers in the area from his running back position never played a full season, but he was plenty good.

Joe Brunson was born to play football. The son of longtime Crestview and Baker coach Matt Brunson, who is now the head coach at Opp, Ala., Joe was a member of Baker’s 2020 state championship team playing running back and linebacker.