Four generations of Cravens: Arlington High football family’s legacy is thriving

Coleman Cravens remembers the feeling he got playing on the football field that bears his family name. Cravens Field at Lamar High School in Arlington is named after his great-grandfather, Carlisle.

“My great-granddad was a lawyer in town, and he did some legal work, so they named it after him,” Coleman said of Carlisle, who did a lot of pro bono work for Arlington ISD and was later on the state school board.

Coleman is a senior and the starting quarterback for Arlington High School, where his father and grandfather played, and his great-grandfather was a 1924 graduate. The family name is kind of a big deal in Arlington.

“It’s pretty sentimental,” he said. “You’ve got to love it when you beat somebody on their home field that’s named after your family.”

The Cravens family legacy in football started with his grandfather, Tom Cravens, who played running back for the Colts from 1957-59 for Arlington coaching legend Mayfield Workman. In those seasons the Colts were 20-9-1, but only one team from each district advanced to the playoffs.

Coleman’s father, Carl, was also a running back in 1988-89 as the Colts went 17-5, including a 10-0 regular season his junior year, with playoff appearances both seasons. He went on to play at Sewanee, set a school record for rushing yards that still stands, was league MVP and was inducted into the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1994.

Coleman also has two older sisters who were cheerleaders for Arlington High. Mary Nelle is now a senior and Edie a junior at the University of Texas at Austin.

And now it’s Coleman’s turn in the spotlight for Arlington High. He is the first quarterback to start in three straight seasons for the Colts in the 23 years since Scott Peach became the head coach in 2002. He has led the team to the playoffs in each of his first two campaigns.

“It’s such a blessing to watch him play for the Colts,” Carl Cravens said. “Watching him run on the field brings back memories. We are a blessed family.”

Coleman admits being a part of such a family history comes with a certain amount of pressure. However, his father gave him some simple but valuable advice.

“My dad says don’t worry about it, just go have fun and be myself,” Coleman said.

As a sophomore, Coleman had the choice of being on the junior varsity for some more “seasoning” or joining the varsity with more experienced players. Following more advice from his father, he challenged himself and played for the varsity.

“My dad said just trust in myself,” Coleman said.

As for advice from his grandfather, whom he calls “Papa T,” Coleman said he was told, “Just do the work and the cream will rise to the top. Stay humble and hungry.”

Peach said Coleman’s family prepared him for success.

“Coleman comes from a family that has instilled in him the self-motivated drive to work hard for what he wants to accomplish,” Peach said. “In addition, Coleman has learned from his family to accept his successes with appreciation and humility. Coleman is the leader of our football team because his coaches and teammates know that we can always count on him in every situation.

“In a time where our athletes pay attention to NFL free agency and the college transfer portal, there is always a concern that our high school players will leave for a different opportunity,” Peach continued. “Coleman has been a cornerstone for players staying at Arlington High School because this place is very special for him. Since his grandfather and father both wore the green and white Colt uniform, Coleman knew that he wanted to carry out that tradition while leaving his own legacy at Arlington High School.”

Coleman’s football success began years ago as he led Bailey Junior High to the Arlington city championship as an eighth-grader in 2021. Then his freshman team at AHS went 7-3 and finished second in district.

In the Colts’ playoff game his sophomore season Coleman broke his collarbone. When he came back the next season, he guided the Colts to a 7-4 record, a three-win improvement from 2023.

“I don’t think you should ever play scared,” he said. “I wanted to show them I’m back.”

Arlington is 2-0 this season heading into its District 8-6A opener against Haltom at 7 p.m. Friday at Maverick Stadium.

Coleman ranks third academically in his senior class. He plans to study business in college and is hoping to find a school where he can excel in academics and football.

In the meantime, his goal is to take the Colts past the first round of the playoffs, something that hasn’t happened since 2020. He said he believes the Colts are in position for their best season in years.

All the while, his family watches him leave his own mark as an era comes to an end.

“My granddad went there, my dad played there, I played there, and now Coleman,” Carl Cravens said. “We have so much to be proud of. We are a blessed family.”