TCL Rebels' defense delivers

Crestview's 19-6 win over Leetonia kept the Rebels unbeaten in the league.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LEETONIA -- Most high school football coaches will tell you a vital element of a successful team is leadership. Specifically, from the seniors.
For the Crestview High football team, that guidance has come from a group of six players who have seen it all in their four years.
From a Tri-County League championship in 2001 to back-to-back losing seasons in 2002 and 2003, they've played through the good and bad times.
And because of their hard work and perseverance, the good times returned for Crestview on Friday night.
Senior end Nick Clemmer anchored Crestview's defensive line, which limited Leetonia's powerful running game to just 104 yards, as the Rebels took a giant step toward a Tri-County League title with a 19-6 victory.
The win gives Crestview (7-1, 5-0) a one-game lead over Leetonia (6-2, 4-1) and United (4-4, 4-1) with two games left.
Defense is dominant
Clemmer and his five classmates -- David Myers, Matt Martin, Frankie Papania, Patrick Cox and Mike Lanterman -- led the way as Crestview's defense dominated Leetonia from the opening whistle.
"There's only six seniors, but they are a special group," said Crestview coach Paul Cusick. "Whenever we've needed a big play this season, one of them has stepped up. They've been through the tough times and now they're here for the good ones, like tonight."
The Rebels' defensive line, consisting of Clemmer, Andy Walton, Nate Yarwood and Justin Stevens, spent most of the night in the Leetonia backfield, stuffing the running game and stealing the spotlight.
The Bears were just two-of-11 on third-down conversions, most of them third and long, and managed just seven first downs, four of which came on their last drive of the contest.
Defense delivers
The Rebels' defense tallied three interceptions and two sacks.
"Crestview's defensive line comes off the ball real quick and we just couldn't generate anything offensively against them," conceded Leetonia coach Artie Altomare. "Our bread and butter is the belly play and they stopped it cold. They took us out of our game and forced us to pass, which we don't do much of."
Crestview's offense came in averaging over 30 points per game. It didn't come anywhere near that against Leetonia, but it didn't need to. Playing ball control, senior David Myers churned out 151 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries and quarterback Jordan Reynolds added a pair of 3-yard scoring runs.
Punt return sets up TD
Reynolds' first score was set up by a long punt return by Adam Thompson to the Leetonia 17.
Leetonia tied the game at 6-all as quarterback Cody Tittle picked up a fumbled snap and dashed 31 yards for the touchdown.
The turning point for Crestview came with 5:27 left in the third quarter. Eric Whittenberger picked off a Tittle pass and returned it the Bears' 3.
Reynolds scored on the next play to put Crestview ahead to stay at 13-6.
"We knew Leetonia's defense was good, so we had to be patient," said Cusick. "We don't need to score 40 points every game; all we have to do is score enough to win."