Shaky start gives way to fast finish


Crestview’s Kris Simpson (20) is tackled short of a touchdown after catching a pass from quarterback Adam Coppock in a regular-season game against the Springfield Tigers. After a 40-37 loss to start the season, the Rebels went on a 10-game win streak and into the playoffs.
Led by QB Adam Coppock, Crestview has won 10 straight
By matthew peaslee
columbiana
After a 40-37 loss to start the season, Crestview quarterback Adam Coppock wondered what he got himself into.
The senior and first-year QB did complete 20-of-29 passes for 396 yards in the defeat to St. Clairsville, but costly turnovers killed the Rebels’ comeback.
“I didn’t play well at all,” Coppock said. “During the game, I thought we had a chance to come back the whole time. But, when we came up a little bit short, it was like ‘Oh man, what am I doing?’”
He didn’t necessarily need to be in that situation in the first place.
Entering the season, Crestview was without a quarterback due to the graduation of Carter Hill. A running back and wide receiver for the past two seasons, Coppock knew there was going to be an open competition for the QB spot and he had his mind made that by the end of the summer — he would fill the void.
“From a leadership standpoint, I was able to jump in there right to the grid of the offense,” he said.
Coppock was the quarterback on the freshman team three years ago, and while that experience helped his transition, not playing under center was probably the best training.
“That helped me out because I know what every other position is going to do on that certain play,” he said. “I can help other guys out, too, when they are struggling on offense because I’ve been there.”
Aside from Hill, Crestview lost seven other starters on offense. Tyler Dickey, who moved from a guard to center, and Tom Rambo were the only veterans on the offensive line. After game one — that at one point saw the Rebels down by 21 points — coach Paul Cusick was just as worried as Coppock about how the season would turn out.
Those feelings quickly changed.
“I was amazed,” Cusick said about his team that averages nearly 44 points and 445 yards a game. “I thought we’d be competitive but I didn’t know we’d have the big games that we’ve had.”
Cusick figured Coppock would be a little rusty after not taking snaps in a while, but progression has surely been made.
“You can see each week how he’s gotten better,” Cusick said. “He’s comfortable with every aspect of the offense. He realizes that every play doesn’t have to be a touchdown. Just moving the chains is always the best goal.”
If Coppock learns just one thing from this year — even though that’s certainly not the case — it would be simplifying the game.
“Not trying to make a big play because that usually ends up being a turnover,” he said. “But I’ve learned so much and something new every week and that’s what I’ve built this season on.”