South Range continues its try for excellence The Raiders have won 27 straight regular season games.

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

NORTH LIMA — Paul Cusick didn’t look dejected. Or angry. Or frustrated. Or any of the other emotions you might expect.

Instead, on Friday night, he looked resigned.

“It’s almost like it’s the same game played over and over,” said the Crestview High football coach after his team’s 21-6 loss to South Range. “We make just enough mistakes and they capitalize on them.

“Hopefully, one of these times we won’t make those mistakes.”

Crestview’s three turnovers — all on fumbles — killed its chances of ending one of the more nightmarish streaks in the Valley. The Rebels have lost nine straight to the Raiders, including an 0-4 record in 2005-06. Over the past 31⁄2 years, Crestview is 0-6 against South Range and 30-3 against everyone else.

“Somehow, we’re going to have to get over the mental aspect,” Cusick said.

Friday could have been that night. But, as always, the Raiders made big plays at crucial times. And the biggest came in the fourth quarter.

Back to the game

Trailing 14-6 early in the fourth, the Rebels drove the ball deep inside South Range territory, earning a first-and-goal at the 7. The Raiders stuffed three straight running plays, then a penalty backed the Rebels up to their own 10. On fourth down, Crestview quarterback Tony Britton’s pass for Dan Nentwick fell incomplete, but Range was flagged for pass interference, giving the Rebels new life.

But the Raiders held again, stuffing a run on first down, forcing an incompletion on second down, holding the Rebels to a 2-yard pass on third and then forcing another incompletion on fourth down.

Senior linebacker Chris Novak had two tackles for a loss during the eight-play stretch, while senior linebacker Spencer Owens added two more crucial tackles.

“That was a pretty good stand,” said Novak. “We got a lot of momentum after that. We knew if they had scored, they’d be right back in it.”

After stopping the Raiders on three straight plays, the Rebels made two more costly mistakes on fourth down, roughing Range’s punter and then muffing the punt, allowing Raiders sophomore Nick Golec to recover at the Rebels’ 41. Three plays later, Novak dove in from 1 yard out to make it 21-6.

“We can’t rough the punter and we can’t muff a punt,” said Cusick, shaking his head. “How many opportunities can you give them?”

At least one more. Novak recovered a Crestview fumble a few minutes later, allowing South Range to run out the clock.

Topping a 100

South Range junior Jack Dawson played a terrific game, running for 117 yards on 13 carries and completing 5-of-11 passes for 79 yards.

He made two of the game’s biggest plays, running 11 yards on fourth-and-10 to set up Range’s first score, then finding running back Steve Bensinger for a 37-yard pass on third down to set up the Raiders’ second touchdown.

It was the 27th straight regular season win for South Range (5-0, 2-0), who got a big leg up in the Inter Tri-County League Tier One race.

“We’ve won nine straight against them, but this is the first time for these kids,” said Raiders coach Dan Yeagley. “It’s a whole new story for us and them.”

The loss overshadowed a nice game by Britton, who completed 8-of-18 passes for 114 yards and added 64 yards on 18 carries, scoring the game’s first touchdown on an 11-yard scamper early in the second quarter.

“Britton had a nice game against us, but he’s had a nice game against everybody,” said Yeagley. “He’s a great quarterback, not just throwing the ball but running the ball.

“He’s a smart, well-coached kid and he’s a competitor.”

scalzo@vindy.com