By Jim Flick

sports@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

The Crestview High School offense struck early and often against Mineral Ridge on Friday night, earning a 71-7 victory.

The Rebels burst out to a 34-7 lead in the first quarter, with senior running back Nick Blower scoring three touchdowns. Blower was the game’s leading rusher, running the ball 13 times for 175 yards.

But the game’s leader in total offense was Crestwood quarterback Collin Gilbert, a junior who ran for three touchdowns and threw a pass for a third.

Gilbert’s effort produced 290 yards, as he ran the ball five times for 85 yards and completed five of seven passes for 205 yards.

“We just came out and executed,” Gilbert said. “Our line played great tonight. I wasn’t sacked at all, and they gave me great opportunities to throw and opened up holes to run through.”

Opponents “can’t key on anyone,” said Matt Hardenbrook, who excelled on sides of the ball, running for two touchdowns, one on a 25-yard run.

“We’re backed up with so many backs. Our defense is the best I’ve seen in four years, and defense wins football games,” said Hardenbrook, who also plays outside linebacker for the Rebels. “We shut ‘em down. We’re physical and we shut ‘em down.”

“We got on a roll,” Crestview coach Paul Cusick said. “Our offense was clicking, and defense really stepped up tonight. We lived on big plays tonight, and we kept making big plays.”

After Blower scored two touchdowns for a 14-0 lead, the Rams scored their only touchdown of the night on an 80-yard kickoff return by junior Steven Phillips.

But Crestview built a 34-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Hardenbrook, Blower and Gilbert each running for TDs.

In the second quarter, Mineral Ridge drew near the end zone, but Crestview intercepted the ball and took over at their own 1-yard line.

But the Rebels quickly dug themselves out of that hole. On the very next play, Gilbert threw a short pass to senior Dimitri Gregory, who picked up blocks and ran 99 yards for a touchdown.

Crestview built a 48-7 at halftime and 62-7 after three quarters.

Gilbert scored on a 41-yard run and Hardenbrook ran into end zone from four yards out in the third quarter. With McGath’s kicks, the Rams lead 62-7 after three quarters.

“Crestview’s a heck of a team,” Mineral Ridge coach Joe Stevens said. “We had a good week of practice and thought we could play with them.”