Mantua, OH- The Crestwood Red Devils welcomed in the Beachwood Bison to Jack Lambert Stadium for a Thursday night special. The Red Devils (3-1) were looking for their 4th straight win while the Bison were looking for win #1 on the season.
Before the game both coaches agreed to a running clock from the start of the game due to a shortage of players on the Beachwood side.
The Red Devils ate up most of the 1st quarter clock on their first possession on 11 plays with four penalties mixed in. Nate Blasiole punched it in from 4 yards out for the first score of the game. He also ran in the 2 point try giving the Red Devils an 8-0 lead with 1:49 to play 1st quarter. Blasiole ran for 78 yards on the drive.
Beachwood came out firing through the air as 4 of their first 6 plays were passes by QB Jacob Thomas, all completions. They were able to take it into the red zone down to the Crestwood 7 yard line. On 4th and 6 they decided to attempt a field goal. Tristan Brown's 20 yard attempt was blocked and Crestwood took over at the 7.
On their first play Blasiole broke through the left side and went 93 yards to the house for the touchdown. They again converted the 2 point try and bumped the lead up to 16-0 with 2:28 to play in the first half.
The Crestwood defense came up big allowing negative yardage by the Bison offense and forcing the games first punt. Wyatt Januska almost took the return to the house taking it all the way down to the Bison 7 yard line before he was tackled. The 60 yard return had Crestwood in business with only 30 seconds to play in the half. That was all Blasiole needed as he ran it in from 7 yards out on the first play for his 3rd touchdown of the first half. Charlie Sommer connected with A.J. Januska for the 2 point conversion putting the Red Devils up 24-0.
Beachwood had one last play before the half, but Thomas was sacked by Crestwood DL Bryce Bennett who forced a fumble that was recovered by the Red Devils. They took a knee and ran out the 2nd quarter clock taking a 24-0 lead into the half. Nate Blasiole rushed for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half.
The Bison started the 2nd half with the ball but again were unable to gain positive yardage and were forced to punt. On the third play Blasiole broke through for a 27 yard touchdown run that was called back due to a block in the back.
The very next play resulted in a Blasiole 33 yard touchdown, number four on the night! Sommer hit A.J. Januska once again for the successful 2 point attempt putting Crestwood up 32-0.
Beachwood was finally able to put up points on the next possession. Big RB Mar'Tez Pinkney hit pay dirt from 66 yards out for the touchdown. The Brown PAT was good and the deficit was cut to 32-7.
Crestwood started their next possession at their 49 yard line thanks to a short kickoff. In the words of NBA commentator Mark Jackson, "Mama there goes that man!" On the first play Blasiole took the handoff untouched down the sideline for a 51 yard score, his 5th touchdown of the game. Coach D'Amato decided to take a knee on the PAT making the score 38-7.
That would be the final margin for this one as Crestwood notched their 4th straight win of the season ending the first half of the schedule at 4-1.
Nate Blasiole celebrated winning the Believeland Media Daystar Ford Week 4 Player of the Week Award by eclipsing his week 4 performance. He ran for 291 yards and 5 touchdowns giving him 1,090 yards and 19 touchdowns on the season in just 5 games.
Crestwood will look to keep the positive momentum going when they welcome in Painesville Harvey next Friday.
Game stats:
Crestwood:
Nate Blasiole: 16 rush, 291 yards, 5 TD
Charlie Sommer: 1/1, 10 yards, 5 rush yards, 2 two point conversion completions
Beachwood:
Mar'Tel Pinkney: 15 rush, 133 yards, TD
Jacob Thomas: 6/12, 47 yards
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