Great Britton: Rebels QB continues success

The Crestview senior accounted for more than 300 yards in a win over LaBrae.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

EAST FAIRFIELD — Tony Britton is picking up where he left off last year for Crestview High and the Rebels are hoping that the senior quarterback can help them make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

Britton, who developed into an effective quarterback during the second half of last season, got off to a strong start this year by accounting for 317 yards and three touchdowns to lead Crestview to a 43-7 win in the season opener over LaBrae.

The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Britton rushed for 150 yards in seven carries against LaBrae, including touchdown runs of 44 and 90 yards, and completed 7-of 10-passes for 172 yards and one TD, a 62-yard connection to Corey Hill.

Last year, Britton accounted for 1,410 yards by rushing for 706 yards in 129 carries and three TDs, and passing for 704 yards on 51-for-102 and four TDs. He helped the Rebels go 9-3, including 5-2 in the Inter Tri-County League Tier One.

The Rebels play host to Marlington Friday night.

Strong blend

Coach Paul Cusick said Britton brings a blend of intelligence and athletic skills to the team that makes him an effective leader.

“He is a very bright kid, good in the classroom. He ranks No. 1 in his class [academically]. He also is a very good athlete. He can do pretty much what we ask him to do,” said Cusick, who is 57-31 in his ninth season at Crestview.

“The key [to his development] is that last year he had some starts under his belt. He has run our offense for more than one season. He started to mature the second half of [last] season.”

Cusick said Britton had his best game, statistically, against LaBrae.

“He was able to do some things in the passing game that he wasn’t able to do last year. He was making some nice reads [on the receivers]. He was much more comfortable running options and making correct reads.”

Cusick said that Britton has attracted the interest of collegiate scouts because of his good grades and skills.

“He has a bunch of different options with some high-academic Division III schools and he also has some options with the Ivy League,” said Cusick.

But Britton isn’t Crestview’s only 2006 leader to continue productivity this season. Senior Keith Drewnoski, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and 17 TDs last year, also had a good game against LaBrae with 61 yards rushing in 14 attempts and two TDs.

kovach@vindy.com