FRANKLIN — Fred Cranford came back to lead the Fenwick High School football team last year knowing there would be no shortcuts.
A culture needed to be rebuilt, a roster needed to grow and a program needed to find its identity.
Twelve months later, there’s progress everywhere.
“The mentality has turned the corner,” said Cranford, who is prepping for the second season of his second stint. “That doesn’t guarantee any more wins, but we’re a different football program.
“The kids understand what we believe in and what we’re capable of, and that’s going to come with a lot of energy from the community and the changes that we’ve made.”
The Falcons went 3-7 in Cranford’s first season back, leaning heavily on young players who were looking to find their identity.
Fenwick has since seen its numbers rise enough to add four junior varsity “B” games to give younger players more reps.
“We’re still young, but we understand a lot more than we did a year ago,” Cranford said. “We talked the talk last year. Now we’re starting to walk the walk.”
The tone for 2025 is being set by senior Jackson Kauffman, a stout running back and defensive back. Kauffman rushed for 598 yards and five touchdowns, while catching 17 passes for 126 yards and three more scores.
“Right now we just need to bounce back from last season,” Kauffman said. “That’s been in our mindset ever since we started working. We just can’t have another 3-7 season. We have to do something about it, and that’s what we’ve been working toward all offseason. We’re going to make the playoffs — and we want to go far in the playoffs.
“We have to work harder than any other team we face. We know other teams are going to work, but we have to work harder. Last year we were a young team, but this year everyone’s coming back. It’s not just experience — it’s the mental attitude that we’re not losing.”
That mentality is familiar to Cranford. Fenwick has long been one of the smaller schools in a gauntlet of a schedule.
“This is a very hungry team,” Cranford said. “We’ve got a really good core group of senior leaders. You’re talking about the perfect storm.
“There’s no substitute for Friday night experience — good or bad. We got better each week last year, and we’ve had an incredible offseason.”
A major factor in that improvement is strength and conditioning director Steven Hartman.
“He’s the best I’ve ever been around,” Cranford said. “He works them to the point of failure so Friday nights aren’t as hard as what they’ve done in training. That builds the mentality we need.”
Cranford credits school administration for backing athletics in ways that weren’t possible in recent years. Fundraising and collaborative events with other programs are bringing new resources and renewed energy to the school.
“This is just an indicator of the great things happening at Fenwick,” Cranford said. “If you don’t have resources, your hands are tied. Now, we’ve got the support to take the next step.”
With a deeper roster, experienced starters and a tougher mindset, the Falcons are set to take on 2025 with the tools to compete.
Fenwick opens the season at CHCA on Aug. 22.
