Irish tandem in search of perfection

By Justin Harper

Published: December 3, 2008

The game of football has always had a hold on Sam Crabtree, but it had to pull Nick Coffey back in. And now, the two most similar players on McGuinness’ team want precisely the same thing from the game: the satisfaction of being the best.

Crabtree’s obsession with perfection is always immediate. Coffey’s desire for ultimate achievement is more big-picture. But both can reach their goal Saturday with a win over Glenpool in the Class 4A state championship game.

Crabtree and Coffey are seldom seen apart on the football field. They both play receiver and are the Irish’s starting corners. Crabtree, a 5-11, 160-pound junior, has already been a part of two McGuinness state football championships, in 2006 and 2007. Coffey has helped the Irish win a pair of state titles as well — but they came on the basketball court. The 5-11, 175-pound senior found himself being drawn back to the gridiron last summer.

"I just missed it,” said Coffey, who has more than 60 tackles, an interception and a touchdown catch this season. "I saw how much fun my friends were having playing football. I know what it’s like to win a state championship in basketball, but it would be a completely different experience to do it in football.”

Crabtree’s constant search for success is derived from fierce competitiveness and grand expectations.

"I am always trying to play the perfect game,” said Crabtree, who has picked off five passes on defense and scored a handful of touchdowns on offense. "So far, I’ve had this curse that I can’t be perfect. I may do everything right but one thing and that one thing will haunt me. I have a hard time letting things go.”

Though each is always in the other’s shadow, they stand out individually in certain areas, doing their best work in unison.

"We take a lot of pride in helping each other shut down the other team’s passing game,” said Crabtree, who also has won a state crown in baseball for the Irish while playing third base and shortstop.

"We help each other and learn from each other.”

All of which has helped the Irish’s pass defense become the strong point of the defense. Opponents are averaging 94.1 passing yards per game.

Though they share five state championships between them, if they get No. 6 Saturday, both would know it was something unique.

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