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Rebels one win from state semifinal
Crestview football team visits Minerva for another regional
By Tom Williams
AUSTINTOWN
Crestview senior linebacker Mason Crawford is the first to admit that his football team’s last two visits to Minerva did not end well.
Two years ago in the Division V, Region 15 final, the Rebels lost to Akron Manchester, 69-21. Last season, Canton Central Catholic ended Crestview’s season in the regional semifinal with a 45-0 victory.
Friday, Crestview (10-2) and Canton Central Catholic (9-3) will stage a rematch in the Region 15 final.
“It’s huge,” Crawford said Wednesday before the Rebels practiced on Fitch Falcon Stadium’s turf field. “We’re basically back for blood, so to speak.”
Senior lineman Jarred Jones put a positive spin the road trip.
“Third time’s a charm,” Jones said.
Crawford said the Rebels are inspired.
“Last year was pretty humiliating, so we’re definitely going to come back with a fire burning down inside,” said Crawford, who also plays some at guard and tight end on offense.
Once again, Crestview has gone deeper into the playoffs than most of their rivals. The Rebels are making their eighth straight postseason appearance. Since 2000, Crestview has missed the playoffs just three times.
“That’s what we work for,” senior quarterback Spencer DeSalvo said. “It’s not all about just winning the league title. It’s about working through the playoffs and getting as far as you can.”
This fall, the Rebels were a bit of a mystery team in the first season of the Inter Tri-County League’s Red Tier. The Rebels started the season sizzling, posting five blowout victories.
In Week 6, East Palestine stunned a lot of football fans with a 47-34 victory over Crestview. The Bulldogs went on to go 4-0 in the league and win the title.
Crestview’s regular season ended with a wild overtime game against Lisbon, which used to be in the Rebels’ tier until the league split into three branches. The Blue Devils won, 55-54.
“The goal is to make the state [final] and win the state,” DeSalvo said. “That’s what its all about.”
Crestview head coach Paul Cusick said the Rebels had their share of injuries.
“We had a lot of guys getting hurt in the second half of the season,” Cusick said. “So we had to have [young] guys step up until we got our starters back.”
And now, how healthy are the Rebels?
“I think as well as can be expected,” Cusick said.
Jones missed the East Palestine game with a dislocated kneecap.
“I’m great now,” said Jones who returned in time for the Lisbon shootout. “It was a great battle. [But] it stinks putting up 54 points and losing, that’s for sure.”
Last season, DeSalvo was a wide receiver as Jesse Best played quarterback. One of the adjustments was accepting a leadership role.
“I have two great backs beside me in [Zach] Hicks and [Tyler] Stratton, and a big line in front of me led by Jones and [Jacob] Scheller.”
The Rebels are seeking their first regional title.
Cusick said long seasons like this one “are fun. Our kids get excited because fortunately we’ve had some success over the last couple of years. They want to be the team that takes us the furthest.
“It’s a situation where our guys have gotten into that routine of getting into the postseason,” Cusick said. “It’s nice but it doesn’t ever become routine.
“It’s exciting every week.”
How does he create teams that continue to play bonus football?
“Our guys really work hard in the offseason,” Cusick said. “We’ve got a lot of good coaches who we’ve had for several years.
“There’s a lot of continuity in the program. The kids know what to expect and they work hard at it.”