Independent days are over for Rebels

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

EAST FAIRFIELD

The Crestview High School football team has qualified for the playoffs in 16 of head coach Paul Cusick’s 20 seasons at the helm.

The Rebels missed week No. 11 just once (2016) since 2008.

The All-American Conference Blue Tier is the Rebels’ new home so Cusick will look to add yet another postseason appearance and the school’s initial AAC title.

It won’t be easy.

“This is the youngest team that I have ever coached and they will need to mature quickly once the season unfolds,” Cusick said.

Cusick’s teams won four Tri-County League championships and six Inter-Tri County League crowns.

The Rebels have been independent since the ITCL dissolved in 2017.

“It’s nice to now have a place to call home for football,” Cusick said. “We have a difficult schedule, especially on the front end with multiple playoff caliber teams.

“It will be nice to start developing some new rivalries.”

The Rebels’ return just two offensive starters, one on the defensive side of the ball and 11 letter-winners.

“We’ll continue to run the spread and be up-tempo offensively,” Cusick said. “We’ve had excellent competition in camp and the players have responded well with all starting positions open.”

Wyatt Babik (tackle) and Ethan Powell (running back) are the two offensive returnees while Brandon Yanssens (free safety) is the lone defensive returnee.

“Defensively, we will have speed and look to be more aggressive but they must make plays for us,” Cusick said. “They must create turnovers and get us good field position in which to operate.”

Key losses include Dominic Perry (third-team all-Ohio selection), Dylan Huff (second-team Northeast Inland District), Stephen Barr, Andrew Yanssens, Josh Simmons and Wyatt Woodring.

Cusick will depend on leadership from returning letter-winners Anthony Bryarly, Babik, William Hardenbrook, Joey Hawkins, Cole Kerchofer, Kain McIntosh, Kaden Paskevitch, Tony Perorazio, Powell, Kyle Saunders and Yanssens.

OFFENSE

The Rebels’ backfield has three returning junior running backs (Powell, McIntosh and Hardenbrook).

Sophomore Anthony Cusick and freshman Dominic Yerkey are the quarterback hopefuls.

Hawkins, Paskevitch, Perorazio and Yanssens, all juniors, are the split ends and flankers.

Mickey McEwen, Braedon Stallworth and Matthew Strank are split end candidates. Bryarly, Yerkey and Caden Mustake are battling at tight end.

Connor Hughes and Cade Hancox are the centers.

Kerchofer, Kyle Saunders, Kaden Stickney, Mason Greathouse and Dalton Hart are the guards.

Babik, Steven Lloyd, Zach Chizmar, Logan Boyd and Russell Hetrick are the tackles.

DEFENSE

Powell joins Yanssens as defensive backs with experience.

Babik (tackle) and Kerchofer (end) are the line returnees.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Competition is still ongoing for these positions.

OUTLOOK

The Rebels open against home against Salem. Their first league game will be Sept. 20 against Newton Falls.