Smithville's late rally ends Crestview's year

The Smithies scored with 10 seconds remaining to topple the Rebels 28-21.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIANA -- Saturday's Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal game between Crestview and Smithville boiled down to one thing: playoff experience -- in Crestview's case, a lack of it.
Smithville, in the playoffs for the sixth straight season, drew on its postseason experience to make big plays when it had to, scoring with just 10 seconds remaining to rally from a 21-7 deficit and upend Crestview, 28-21.
The Smithies (10-1) scored twice in the final 3:30 of the contest and the Smithville defense bottled up the Rebels' offense.
"What it really came down to was their playoff experience," said Crestview coach Paul Cusick. "They've been in this situation and it's new to most of our guys. They made plays and we couldn't execute when we had opportunities in the second half."
Trailing 21-15 entering the fourth quarter, Smithville's Wing-T offense caught fire. Quarterback Jace Hartzler rallied the troops, breaking free on several long runs and hitting his receivers for big gains.
Running back Aaron Long was the Smithies' workhorse, burning the Crestview defense for 157 yards on 29 carries, 108 of those yards coming in the second half.
Fighting back
Smithville orchestrated a 14-play, 64-yard scoring drive in the final quarter to tie the score at 21. Taking over seven minutes off the clock, the Smithies' effort was capped by a 1-yard plunge by Hartzler with 3:22 to go.
After a Crestview punt, Smithville took over with just 1:16 on the clock.
The Smithies calmly marched down the field, keyed by a 39-yard run by Long.
With 10 seconds remaining, senior receiver Ryan Ferguson outjumped a Crestview defender in the end zone for the game-winning 24-yard touchdown.
"I told the kids this was a heart game and they just refused to quit," said Smithville coach Keith Schrock. "That's a very good football team we beat over there. Our experience did help us a little, we just made some defensive adjustments in the second half and got going offensively."
Crestview (8-2) came out firing on all cylinders in the first half. Quarterback Jordan Reynolds was on the top of his game, connecting on 6-of-6 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 42 yards and a score.
Early lead
Reynolds connected with Adam Thompson on a 54-yard bomb with 4:54 remaining in the first quarter to give the Rebels a 6-0 lead.
The junior's 1-yard scoring run in the second quarter gave Crestview a 14-0 advantage. After a scoring toss from Hartzler to Ferguson, Crestview's David Myers put his team ahead 21-7 with a 1-yard run.
Just before halftime, Smithville cut the deficit to 21-15 on a 1-yard run by Long. The Smithies faked the point-after kick and Bobby Denning completed a conversion pass to Kevin Beichler.
"They threw the ball more than I expected, so we changed our coverage in the second half," said Schrock, whose defense rushed three linemen and dropped two safeties back in pass coverage.
"We got them in long yardage situations and were able to sit back and contain their passing game better."
Reynolds finished with 144 yards passing, but just 3 in the second half. He gained 83 yards on the ground. David Myers carried 22 times for 77 yards and a touchdown.