Rebels kick it into gear
Trending
COLUMBIANA - Both the Crestview Rebels and Lakeview Bulldogs experienced disappointing season-opening losses last week. So, their matchup on Friday night meant a lot for both clubs if they want to get their season back on track.
The Rebels responded with a convincing 34-14 victory over the Bulldogs to right the ship and even their mark at 1-1. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 0-2.
"This was pretty big. We had a lot to fix in practice," junior tailback Trevor McElhaney said. "We came and executed. Last week showed that it's hard to do the right thing when you are not in the right mindset. We came out this week, and we did the right things, and it boosted our confidence that we can do the right things."
"It meant a lot to us because we needed to grow up a little bit, where we are very young in a lot of areas. I think our guys are starting to figure things out," Rebels head coach Dom Perry remarked. "We had been preaching all week to do what your coaches tell you. Do your job, and I think after the first quarter, it started to click for some guys."
The Rebels used a balanced attack on both the ground and through the air as they racked up 229 yards on the ground with junior Trevor McElhaney leading the way with 137 yards on 17 carries.
"My incredible line," McElhaney praised his linemen for the success he enjoyed on the night. "They always give me the right reads. Just follow the butts."
When the Rebels took to the air, it was junior quarterback Braydon Meier who had a hot hand in connecting on 9 of 20 passes for 114 yards and four touchdowns. Junior receiver Hayden Davis caught 4 of those aerials for 74 yards and 2 TDs. He also threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Owen Finley on a reverse early in the fourth quarter.
But perhaps it was the Rebels’ defense that was the real reason for their victory. After the Bulldogs were able to score twice in the first half, the Rebels’ defense pitched a shutout in the second half. It was one of three interceptions for the Rebels’ defense.
"Our defensive front is good, and we knew that we would need to have some of the younger guys grow up in the backfield. They are starting to do that," Perry said.
The key moment, however, was when Finley intercepted a Bulldogs pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the second half to provide the Rebels with the winning points in the game. That touchdown came just four and a half minutes into the second half.
"That was huge," Perry said. "We talked at the half to get a stop, but any time you get a pick six and your offense doesn't have to get on the field, is awesome."
After a shaky first possession by the Rebels, the Bulldogs scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Blake Swinning to grab an early 7-0 advantage. That score came at the 8:56 mark of the first quarter.
The Rebels regrouped and responded with a tying score at the 1:40 mark of the second quarter when Meier connected with Davis on a 17-yard toss. And it appeared the Rebels were going to score again six minutes later, only to fumble the ball at the Bulldogs 6.
The Rebels and Bulldogs traded scores just before halftime when Meier connected with Davis on a 33-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7. The Bulldogs answered with a 29-yard pass from Swinning to Blake Phillips to make it 14-14 at intermission.
In addition to Finley's interception return and Davis' pass to Finley on a reverse, Meier hit Josh Smith with a 21-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to make it 27-14. That score came with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter.
The Rebels will look to keep their momentum going by hosting the United Eagles in a big non-conference contest.
The Bulldogs try to pick up their first win of the season next Friday when they travel to Jefferson Area to take on the Falcons.
LK: 7-7- 0-0--14
CR: 7-7-13-7--34
SCORING
L-Blake Swinning 1 run (Easton Bradley kick)
C-Hayden Davis 17 pass from Braydon Meier (Danny Novak kick)
C-Davis 33 pass from Meier (Novak kick)
L-Blake Phillips 29 pass from Swinning (Bradley kick)
C-Owen Finley 30 interception return (Novak kick)
C-Josh Smith 21 pass from Meier (kick blocked)
C-Finley 17 pass from Davis (Novak kick)
TEAM STATISTICS
LAKEVIEW
First downs: 14; Total yards: 253; Rushes-yards: 27-105, Passing: 148; Comp-Att-Int. 9-21-3; Punts 3-33; Fumbles-Lost 1-1; Penalties-Yards 4-25.
CRESTVIEW
First downs: 15, Total yards: 341, Rushes-yards: 30-206, Passing: 133; Comp-Att-Int. 11-22-0, Punts 4-31.5, Fumbles-Lost 1-1, Penalties-Yards 6-60.
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING--Lakeview, Noah Engle 12-63, Blake Swinning 7-26; Crestview, Trevor McElhaney 19-134, Josh Smith, Brayden Meier 2-52, Josh Smith 6-17.
PASSING--Lakeview, Blake Swinning 9-21-143; Crestview, Brayden Meier 10-21-116, Hayden Davis 1-1-17.
RECEIVING--Lakeview, Blake Phillips 4-99, Alex Yannucci 3-31; Crestview, Hayden Davis 5-78, Brady Barnhart 2-14, Josh Smith 1-21, Owen Finley 1-17.
INTERCEPTIONS--Crestview, Wyatt Wise, Owen Finley, Taylor Stoffer.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES--Lakeview, Alex Cash; Crestview, Paxson Taggart.