By Jim Flick

sports@vindy.com

COLUMBIANA

The undefeated Crestview High football team scored early and often Friday night, building a 50-0 lead midway through the second quarter on the way to a 57-12 victory over Lisbon.

The lead reached 57-0 in the third quarter before Lisbon (1-3) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to end the shutout.

Crestview (4-0) was led by senior Nick Blower who returned the game’s opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Blower later scored on 56- and 36-yard runs.

Blower carried the ball only four times, but gained 137 yards.

“My speed and my linemen,” were the reasons he gained the yardage, Blower said. “The linemen getting in the way of somebody and helping me get loose.”

“When [Blower] touches the ball, he’s going to make big plays,” Crestview coach Paul Cusick said. “He had a great season last year, and he’s worked hard and carried it over.”

Thanks to Blower’s kickoff return and senior Matt Hardenbrook’s 70-yard run with a recovered fumble, the Rebels led 14-0 before their first offensive play. “I was pretty happy with the way we got off to a fast start tonight.

“Our kids executed in the first half and we were able to get some points on the board.

“Our defense is stepping up, everybody’s stepping and doing their job,” senior Dimitri Gregory said.

A tight end on offense, Gregory caught a pass from quarterback Collin Gilbert, a senior, that gained 27 yards. A linebacker, he played a major role in shutting out Lisbon for three quarters.

Gilbert scored Crestview’s first touchdown of the night on a 25-yard run for. After kicker Caleb McGath booed his third extra point of the night, the Rebels led 21-0.

Blower scored his second touch of the night as the first quarter ended. But this time, Crestview converted a two-point extra point when Evan Nentwick tossed a pass to Jake Ferris.

Crestview led 29-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Hardenbrook scored his second touchdown of the night on a 33-yard run, and sophomore Derek Kozlowski recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. Blower scored his third touchdown of the night later in the second quarter.

After McGath booted extra points after each touchdown, Crestview led 50-0 with 5:52 remaining in the first half.

“They’re awfully good and they’re really quick,” said Lisbon coach Jim Tsilimos.