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STEVE LEEAfter missing last season, D.J. Crosby has been a potent weapon on both sides.
TRINITY - Raising an index finger to celebrate a 27-yard touchdown run against Pasco cost D.J. Crosby, and it could have been worse.
That gesture, which came late in a season-opening 41-13 win over Pasco, led to a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that game and an automatic ejection. It also nearly got the Mitchell running back/cornerback suspended.
Only a protest by Mitchell coach Scott Schmitz, along with a game tape reviewed by the Florida High School Athletic Association, kept Crosby from being sidelined for at least one game.
Though the Pirates may have viewed it differently, Crosby offered a rational explanation.
"I could see (being penalized) if I started breakdancing, but I didn't do nothing to the other team," Crosby said. "I was giving God the glory. And people didn't realize that was my first varsity touchdown."
Crosby missed all of last season after dislocating a shoulder in a preseason practice and looked forward to contributing this season. He is the Mustangs' leading receiver (nine catches for 137 yards), third-leading rusher (40 carries for 247 yards) and second-leading scorer with four touchdowns.
Those numbers aside, perhaps the greatest impact Crosby has had is on the other side of the ball. He has a county-leading six interceptions, all of which have come in the past three games. Not bad for a player who never played defense until this season.
"He's a good athlete and he's instinctive," Ridgewood coach Troy Cornwell said. "He reads plays well. He makes plays."
Schmitz approached Crosby in the offseason about being a two-way player, challenging the junior to go head-to-head with the county's top receivers.
"I took that to heart," Crosby said.
"He's such a competitor," Schmitz said. "He wants to play against the best."
Wherever he lines up is fine with Crosby so long as it's for a winning cause.
"Whatever I have to do to help the team I'll do," he said. "The W is the No. 1 thing in my book."
"We knew from the very get-go that he was a good athlete," Schmitz said. "We didn't know how tough a competitor he was. What sets him apart is his will to be good.
"I think he just likes doing anything that it takes. There are times that he wants the football. You can see it in his eyes and in his motions."
As for motioning after future touchdowns, Crosby plans to check his emotions.
"No matter what, keep a cool and calm head," he said. "I can do something like (raising his index finger) on the sideline."
With Mitchell off to its best start at 3-1, Crosby feels he can help the Mustangs to a second straight playoff appearance.
"I'm having a pretty good year, but, more important, my team's having a pretty good year," he said.