From the Herald and News

Crusader players enjoy role reversal

March 26, 2007

Jason Allen is the only player to have suited up for all 11 seasons of the Klamath Crusaders football program.

He also is a prime example of the non-profit organization's “Pay It Forward” approach, coaching young players at Butte Valley High School and putting young fans from Dorris into the Viking Field seats.

Now, the 30-year-old wide receiver/defensive back has company on the Crusader roster - a couple of his own players.

“I invited as many people as I could from Butte Valley to come up and watch,” Allen said. “About five people came out here, seven people came out here, 12 people came out here, and then it just exploded. Now, the boys wanted to play with Coach.”

Chris Vercellotti and Diego Guerra, two members of the Bulldogs' 2006 California Interscholastic Federation North Section eight-man championship, have joined their coach on the team, and the 18 year olds are adjusting to a bigger, faster game.

“I wasn't really sure what to expect when I came in here, but it's been a change for the better,” Vercellotti said. “These guys are huge, a lot different than playing through the high school league, but it's something that I have to adapt to and adjust.”

Another adaptation the duo has had to make is the switch from the eight- to the 11-man game, but that has been smooth so far.

“It's pretty much the same game,” Vercellotti said. “The plays are a little different, but other than the fact that there are more people on the field, that's really the only transition I've had to make.”

Playing for respect

Allen has stayed involved with the Crusaders and used it as a teaching tool for the Butte Valley youth, but he is also playing for respect in two ways.

First, taking the field in the spring and leading by example earns credibility with players as a coach in the fall.

Allen showed football players on and off the field how things are done Saturday night in a 27-10 victory over Salem, making three catches for 51 yards and intercepting a pass from Monarch quarterback Slade Crooks.

“When I got down to Butte Valley and I was coaching, the one thing that I knew that I had to do was earn their respect,” he said, “and the quickest way to earn somebody's respect when you're coaching is to have them watch you do it.”

Playing with his pupils also forms a connection on a different level that can be carried off the field - respect between men.

“When I took over, all of a sudden, they were seeing the good things I was doing off of this field,” Allen said. “They get to see the positive influences I'm making in real life.”

Thrill as teammates

Players and coach alike have been thrilled with playing together. Vercellotti is making steady improvements on the line, and without Allen, he said, those improvements wouldn't be made.

“Jason got me involved with this. He told me they needed linemen and that I should come out,” Vercellotti said, “so I've really got to thank him. It's been more than I could ever imagine.”

Allen has similar sentiments about the experience.

“It's awesome,” he said. “I don't think there are words that could express it, not at all.”

- Josh Petrie