Hogan is the one standing in the photo.
Roosevelt trio going for two
05:18 PM CDT on Friday, September 8, 2006
TIM MACMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
They are proof of the potential for a team that does things the right way.
Roosevelt's Kadeem Craddock, Danny Hogan and Vincent McNeil Jr. started for last season's Class 3A state basketball champions. They intend for their success – and the reasons behind it – to rub off on their football teammates.
"We're trying to bring it over to the football squad," said Hogan, a senior free safety and wide receiver. "We're trying to do things the same way."
There is reason to believe Roosevelt, No. 4 in SportsDay's 3A-others rankings, is ready to resume its place among the Dallas ISD's premier programs entering tonight's season opener against Lincoln. It begins with the basketball players.
All three are excellent athletes with a chance to play Division I-A football. The 6-4, 210-pound Craddock is a tight end/receiver whose toughness and strong hands helped him lead the basketball team in rebounding. McNeil Jr., one of the state's best athletes in the junior class, takes over at quarterback after playing primarily defensive back and receiver last season.
Hogan, a defensive-minded power forward during the winter, is a hard-hitting free safety who will also start at receiver.
Hogan, a 6-2, 180-pound
bundle of energy and intensity nicknamed "Rambo," is also the last guy his teammates want to cross. That makes him quite an effective leader."
He pretty much
sets the tone," said first-year coach Joseph Daniels, the program's fifth head coach since it last won a playoff game in 1999.
Added Craddock:
"Danny tells them what to do, and they do it."A player who misses practice had better give Hogan a good reason. If Hogan doesn't like what he hears, the offending teammate would be wise to avoid him during the next practice.Hogan is the team's unquestioned leader everywhere but the offensive huddle. He cedes control there to McNeil.
McNeil doesn't see his duty on the football field being much different than his duty on the basketball court, where he is a tempo-pushing point guard in Roosevelt's press-and-run system. It's his job to be a calming influence, good decision maker, distributor and playmaker.
"I'm going to be a leader and win some games for my team," said the 6-2, 195-pound McNeil, who has a strong arm but poses a bigger threat with his feet.
Craddock is a lead-by-example kind of guy. He accepted the coaches' decision to use him mostly as a tight end in the Power-I without complaint after playing receiver in a Spread offense last season.
The basketball players say there's a different feel to the football team this season. They see more discipline and sense that their teammates are serious about challenging Madison in District 11-3A and making a playoff run.
"They're motivated," McNeil said. "When we won state, the whole school's pride raised up. Everybody wants to be champs."
CROSSOVER KINGS
Some of the best football/basketball players in the area, with comments from Staff Writer Tim MacMahon
Player School Cl. Pos. Comment:
Hubert Anyiam North Garland Sr. WR Hoops is first love, football is future
Rex Burkhead Plano So. FS/RB Nicknamed "Rex Chapman" for dunking ability
Kadeem Craddock Roosevelt Sr. TE/WR Averaged 10.5 rebounds
Daren Dillard Garland Lakeview Sr. QB Averaged 14.3 points
Jeffrey Fuller McKinney Boyd Jr. WR Son of Roosevelt alum and ex-49er Jeff Fuller
Danny Hogan Roosevelt Sr. FS/WR Has relentless energy and no fear 
Justin Johnson Richardson Berkner Sr. QB Point guard let team to 5A state semifinals
Vincent McNeil Jr. Roosevelt Jr. QB/DB Not sure which sport he'll play in college
Blake Mooney McKinney North Sr. WR Scored three TDs in football debut last week
Jarvis Phillips Carter So. WR/QB One of area's best in class at both sports
