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Crestview gets another look at Liberty
Rebels get another
look at Liberty
By Tom Williams
NEW WATERFORD
Although the Crestview High football team defeated Liberty in Week 3 by eight points, Rebels head coach Paul Cusick says his squad should not think the same outcome is assured.
“Both teams are better,” said Cusick, whose Rebels (9-1) are making their sixth straight playoff appearance. “They’ve grown within their system and they are much more comfortable with their new coaches.
“And with the amount of first-year starters that we’ve had, our guys have become comfortable in the same way,” Cusick said Wednesday.
Crestview is the second seed in Division V, Region 15. Liberty (7-3) is seventh, edging Ursuline by four one-hundredths of a point.
Two months have passed since Crestview’s 34-26 victory. Cusick thinks the rematch won’t be low scoring.
“It seems like a lifetime ago, I almost can’t remember it,” Cusick said. “I think there are going to be [a lot of] points on the board. Both teams have big-play capability.”
Leading Crestview’s offense is quarterback Collin Gilbert who was first in the Inter Tri-County League Tier One in passing (77 of 123, 1,227 yards, 20 touchdowns). Gilbert also was the Tier One’s second best rusher (1,407 yards on 125 carries).
Josh McDade, who was the Rebels’ left tackle last season, led the league in receiving with 30 receptions for 622 yards and 11 touchdowns. Trevor Cope was sixth in Tier One rushing (883 yards on 132 carries).
“Trevor been running the ball great and I’ve had great targets to throw to,” Gilbert said. “Josh already has broken some school records for receptions.
“I hope he gets more.”
Liberty also lost to Salem (27-25) and Lakeview (33-6). Freshman Lynn Bowden is the Leopards’ top threat as he rushed 193 times for 1,523 yards and 13 touchdowns. Bowden rushed for 95 yards against Crestview.
“He had a couple of big runs against us, he’s definitely an elite player,” Cusick said. “He has really, really improved this year, you can see it on film.”
McDade said switching to tight end was Cusick’s idea.
“I was excited because I want to go to college to play tight end,” said McDade, who said he’s done better on offense this year.
“At the beginning of the year, I don’t think most teams knew I had switched positions,” McDade said. “I don’t think they had an idea of how well I could catch or run.
“They were expecting me to just block.”
The blemish on Crestview’s record was a Week 4 loss to South Range (49-35). It was Crestview’s first league loss since 2009. South Range (10-0) and Crestview won their remaining six games to give the Raiders the Tier One crown.
“We messed up a little bit against South Range, didn’t play well and they [won the title],” said Gilbert, calling the Raiders’ effort “well-deserved — they are a great team this year.”
Gilbert is hoping his hometown fans will get a replay of last year’s home playoff game when the Rebels defeated St. Thomas Aquinas, 51-50.
“Last year was a shootout, that was fun for the offense,” said Gilbert, who has Cusick’s trust to adjust plays if he senses a better option.
“Coach gives me a lot of leniency in what I can do,” said Gilbert of checking plays. “If I tell him I see something, he trusts me that I’m going to call the right thing. That’s nice, to have that trust from him.” In the first game, Gilbert rushed for 132 yards and passed for 118. Cope rushed for 120 yards
“It was so much fun to have to have so many weapons this year,” Gilbert said. “I think [the rematch is] going to be a lot like the first game.”