Prep football: Palmetto's Cory Crawford out for Friday's game

photo by Tim Wolfrum

Palmetto will try to keep its perfect season intact Friday without its best offensive player.
Cory Crawford, who paces the area in rushing, will not play against county rival Lakewood Ranch, coach Dave Marino told Herald sports writer Jason Dill following Tuesday's practice.
A wide receiver, Crawford became the team's top running back after Josh Hicks sustained an ankle injury Week 1 against Riverview. Crawford played the position so well Marino decided to keep Crawford in the backfield and moved Hicks, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, to defensive back.
Hicks will see some time at running back Friday, Marino said, but Quincy Washington is expected to get a brunt of the carries.
Crawford rushed for 68 yards on 20 attempts during last week's 9-7 win over Arcadia DeSoto. He has totaled 604 yards on the ground, averaging 11 yards per carry, and has scored four touchdowns.
Palmetto is 4-0 and ranked first in the state in Class 5A.
Lakewood Ranch is 3-1.