By Spencer DuPuis
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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Sterling (February 16, 2016) — Potomac Falls High School senior Malik Crowe has made a commitment to continue his football career at Bridgewater College starting in the 2016-2017 school year.
“It feels good to be committed because now I know what I’m going to do with these next [four]years of my life after high school,” the 5-foot-10, 320-pound Crowe said. “It’s a blessing too; I am able to do what I love for the next [four]years and that’s play football.”
The Division III Eagles are coached by Michael Clark — who enters his 22nd season at the helm of the team. At Bridgewater, Clark has compiled a record of 138-85-1 which includes a record of 127-48 since 2000.
“After taking all my visits to other colleges, I just felt that Bridgewater was the best place where I can fit in academically, socially and athletically,” Crowe said. “I enjoyed the environment around the college. The coaching staff is a great group of guys who I felt I really connected with especially my position coach, Keenan Carter. It just felt like a place I can see myself being and excelling at for the next [four]years. My mother — who was an important role in this decision — felt the same way about Bridgewater and supported me when I told her Bridgewater was my choice.”
At Bridgewater, Crowe will join three local graduates: Tuscarora graduate Malivai Barker (2014), Freedom graduate Myles Conley (2014) and Broad Run graduate Alex Galloway (2015). Crowe — an interior defensive lineman — mentioned that he wants to help the Eagles anyway possible during his freshman season.
“I think I will add size, power, physicality and [my]work [ethic]to the Eagles defensive line,” Crowe said. “I’m hoping to making an impact my freshman year, helping out the team in any way I can.”
In 2015, Crowe and the Potomac Falls Panthers finished the regular season 7-3 — which was good for a No. 9 seed in the VHSL 5A North region playoffs. The Panthers would go on to beat the Warriors of Wakefield, 21-6, but would fall to No. 1 Massaponax, 28-7, in the region quarterfinal. After the season, Crowe was named second team All-Conference 14.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Crowe said. “There’s nothing like high school football. I wouldn’t be anywhere near what I am today if it wasn’t for the Potomac Falls football program. They made me a better football player and a better man. My coaches pushed to places where I have never gone before, and I’m grateful for that every single time I step out on the practice field and game field. I met my best friends on the Potomac Falls football team. Potomac Falls football was and will always be my second home.”
The Sterling-native mentioned that he got involved in tackle football at young age because of his friends.
“I love every aspect of football. No one really got me jump started to play football; just seeing all my friends while I was little playing made me want to play. I always played flag when I was little, never tackle, then I decided to give it a try and I have loved it ever since,” Crowe said. “My motivation for football is that you never know when your last play or last game can be so just keep playing your hardest while you have the chance to and cherish it because anything can happen. Remembering that keeps me motivated while I play and practice.”
