By ryan buck

sports@vindy.com

NEW MIDDLETOWN

The undefeated Crestview Rebels continued their dominance in the Inter Tri-County League with a 58-7 win over Springfield Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

Rebels senior tailback Nick Blower carried 20 times for 249 yards and three touchdowns, with 203 of those yards in the first half.

Blower took a read-option handoff from quarterback Collin Gilbert on the Rebels’ second play from scrimmage and hit a hole to his left. The 5-foot-7, 139-pound speedster followed his blocks and hit an extra gear once he found the secondary.

“It surprised me a little bit,” Blower said. “I didn’t know if I was going to get the blocks I needed, but our offensive line came through like they always do and it was off to the races.”

The Rebels (6-0) never punted in the first half. On their next possession, a methodical nine-play march, senior tailback Matt Hardenbrook followed his line into the end zone.

Despite not having a senior starter in the group up front, the Rebels’ offensive line is quick and efficient in the option-read attack.

“They’re still learning because we’ve got so many new starters up front,” Crestview coach Paul Cusick said. “We always tell them, ‘Get a body on a body and let our backs make you look good.’ ”

Trailing 21-0 after Blower’s 19-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, the Tigers showed signs of life. Junior defensive back Mike Allgower jumped in front of a Gilbert pass at the Rebel 30-yard line and raced into the end zone, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

The excitement was short-lived once Crestview recovered an ill-fated onside kick attempt from Springfield (2-4).

Crestview regrouped and went right back to Blower and Hardenbrook. Blower picked up 43 yards on the drive’s first play. Hardenbrook lined up as a receiver in the slot on fourth-and-12 from the Tigers’ 25, and Gilbert found him across the middle. Hardenbrook broke a tackle at the 10 and scored.

The Tigers never threatened as Crestview kept pounding away with Blower.

“As small as he is, he’s not a big back, but he’s not afraid to get inside the tackles, lower his shoulder, and punish a kid at the goal line,” Cusick said. “He’s going to make big plays. He’s electric and he tilts the field.”

Hardenbrook scored two touchdowns and Gilbert threw for two more.

The Rebels are now 3-0 in the ITCL Tier One and are vying for a fifth consecutive crown.