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Photo by: Vindicator file photo

Crestview running back Zach Hicks (34) dives for the end zone as Springfield’s Ian Grdina (1) tries to stop him during their Week 8 game in New Middletown. Saturday, Crestview will play top-seeded Canton Central Catholic in Minerva.

Crestview claws its way to Round 2

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

NEW WATERFORD

Falling behind by two touchdowns in the first quarter on your home field is not a recipe for playoff success for most high school football teams.

Then there is Crestview. Trailing Girard 14-0 early in last Saturday’s Division V Region 15 game, the Rebels did not panic despite playing a playoff team from a league that gets more respect than the Inter Tri-County League.

“Our guys have been here over the last several years so maybe there is something to [playoff experience],” said Crestview head coach Paul Cusick, whose team has qualified the postseason for the seventh straight year. Only Poland with eight has a longer streak in the Mahoning Valley.

Most teams would have folded after a disastrous first quarter that had seen the Rebels give up a blocked punt near the goal line followed by an interception.

Instead, the Rebels (7-4 and co-winner of the ITCL Tier One) climbed back into the game.

“We were patient — that was key,” Cusick said. “I kept telling them that there were going to be situations when things would look bad. You’ve got to just take a deep breath and relax, and they did.”

Quarterback Jesse Best hit wideout Evan Beachler for a 13-yard gain into Girard territory. On the next play, tailback Zach Hicks escaped for a 38-yard touchdown.

Late in the first half, Best ran for 48 yards to the Girard 1, setting up Spencer DeSalvo’s game-tying touchdown.

“You don’t even understand how much we emphasize heart in this program,” Beachler said.

Linebacker Derek Kozlowski agreed.

“Crestview is known for going to the playoffs — we have a good tradition here,” Kozlowski said. “We weren’t worried, we kept composed and went to work.”

Right before halftime, the Indians (second place in the All-American Conference National) scored a touchdown. On their first possession of the second half, Kyle Harris kicked a field goal for a nine-point lead.

Cusick’s players remained calm.

“When we came back from 14-0, that put us in a good situation,” Cusick said. “We made a big jump there so there was no reason to panic.”

The Rebels again stormed back, outscoring the Indians 20-0 for a 34-23 victory that surprised a lot of fans outside of Columbiana County.

Three times, Crestview’s defense stopped Girard on fourth-and-short plays.

“Our kids a did a good job of stuffing the run, especially on those fourth downs,” Cusick said.

Beachler said the Indians “were getting frustrated, they were getting tired. When you see your opponent [implode], that definitely gives you some fire in your hearts.”

Crestview, Ursuline and Liberty are three of the four teams remaining in Region 11. The fourth-seeded Rebels will take on Associated Press poll champion Canton Central Catholic (11-0) on Saturday night in Minerva.

The Rebels will have their hands full — three of the Crusaders’ victories were against the Federal League’s Massillon Perry, North Canton Hoover and Uniontown Lake.

The Rebels are thrilled to be the only ITCL Tier One team still practicing this week.

“We were pleased to finish the season strong, with the young team that we have, get a share of the title and get into the playoffs,” Cusick said.

“With a team as young as we are, to get this experience has worked out.

“We’ve been playing better,” Cusick said. “The toughest thing is that we still seem like a team that is learning.”

The seniors will leave with the memories of bonus football.

“Before the [Girard] game, I was telling all the seniors we’ve got 48 minutes [left] playing on this field,” Best said.

“It really showed — I think we played with a lot of heart, a lot of determination, a lot of pride.”