Veteran Crook anchors MLC’s offensive line

By Brent Wasenius/Fremont Tribune Managing-Sports Editor

Jordan Crook may have followed his brother to Midland Lutheran College, but the Rising City native isn’t in the shadow of anyone on the football field.

Jordan Crook is in his third year as the starting center for the Warriors. His older brother, Scott, was a second-team All-Great Plains Athletic Conference selection as a senior offensive lineman in 2006, but Jordan has also earned his share of recognition.

“Jordan is a guy who is literally in the middle of our offensive line and if it works it is because he has us in the right blocking combinations,” Midland coach Casey Thiele said. “On the field or in the weightroom you know what to expect from Jordan. He’ll be there for you working hard.”

That reliability has helped the Warriors to a 3-1 start, including 3-0 in the GPAC. Despite a severely sprained ankle, Crook played significant minutes and helped the Warriors to a 21-14 victory over Briar Cliff on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

"He’s a guy with a burning desire to succeed,” Thiele said. “He knows what it looks like when things are going right and he also knows what it looks like when things aren’t going right. If things aren’t going right in practice or a game, he’ll point it out to correct it. He helps others push through when there are bumps in the road.”

Crook and guard Sam Dancer, a returning All-GPAC selection, are the Warriors’ captains on offense. It is a role that the Shelby High School graduate doesn’t take for granted.

“We just try to provide leadership when guys have trouble focusing on what we need to do,” Crook said. “We’ve got some good depth and guys understand their roles. Big Sam and I try to get everyone to work on the fine details of what we’re trying to accomplish. We’ll get everyone together after a series to talk about what the defense is trying to throw at us.”

Not much rattles Crook after the changes he’s witnessed with the Warriors. Midland won two games apiece in 2006 and 2007 before finishing 6-5 last year. John McMenamin is the fourth offensive coordinator for the Warriors in the center’s four seasons.

"It’s kind of a different story for me because I’ve been here for more than four years when you count in being around the program when Scott was here,” Crook said. “I saw when they were good and then I was around when we slumped to 2-8. It’s been nice to be part of it while we’re trying to build respect out there for the program.”

Crook likes the subtle changes McMenamin has made with the Warriors’ attack.

“I think this is more of a playmakers’ offense,” he said. “The reason I say that is that last year we had certain assignments where we were just going to run the ball and try to get 4 yards at a time. This is more of a zone blocking scheme. We live and die by our inside and outside zone blocking. We have big linemen and it allows the backs to read the holes where they can maybe cut back and create problems for defenses. It opens up the possibility for big plays.”

Sophomore running back Khalid Waters is one player who has excelled in the offense. He already has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in two of the Warriors’ wins. Against Briar Cliff, quarterback Joshua Deines finished with 96 yards rushing.

Those stats show that Crook and his cohorts on the interior line are doing their job. It’s also noticeable when Thiele grades films.

“Jordan might make a mistake one out of every 25 plays,” Thiele said. “He doesn’t repeat mistakes and that’s what I love about him as an athlete. He might do it once and that’s it.”

Crook’s intelligence is also evident in the classroom where he carries a 3.35 GPA in business management and marketing. His toughness was evident on Saturday when he played despite the high left ankle sprain.

“Jordan is a role model-type of player,” Thiele said. “He gets himself ready to go and he does everything you ask him to do for the team. He’s one of those guys you know will be in successful in life just as he has been in football.” 

Published in the Fremont Tribune on Sept. 29, 2009:
http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2009/10/01/sports/college/doc4ac2258e537ed031187158.txt