The Crestwood Red Devils’ football team’s season has been defined by missed opportunities. It was another case of just that as the Red Devils’ miscues cost them as they lost 17-7 to Portage County and Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division rival Rootstown 17-7 last Friday evening at Jack Lambert Stadium in Mantua.
“We knew it was going to be a battle, but it was a winnable game,” said Coach Jack D’Amato. “We have had a lot of winnable games on our schedule, and we have come up short and that is on me and the coaching staff, and we will make some adjustments and go from there.”
It marked Crestwood’s (2-7, 1-3) second consecutive loss against the Rovers since the Portage County foes became league rivals again when Rootstown officially joined the CVC Valley Division last year. It will be the last time the schools face off as CVC Valley Division foes, but the league rivalry will still carry on as the schools will become members of the Greater Portage Athletic Confrence next season.
“That is a big rivalry for us, and we are looking forward to continuing to play these guys because it is always a tough game,” noted the seven-year coach.
On Friday, the Red Devils took an early lead in the second quarter on a 44-yard punt return by junior running back/tailback Chris Mory, setting themselves at the Rootstown 34.
Crestwood needed only three plays to strike, as junior quarterback/defensive back Michael Kalista scored on an 11-yard touchdown run, pushing the Red Devils ahead 7-0.
According to D’Amato, that was the spark that Crestwood needed.
“I thought that was going to be the change for us but unfortunately they got a few possessions and drives after that where they drove right down the field and were able to score and defensively, we didn’t get the job done,” he acknowledged.
Rootstown responded with a five-play, 62-yard drive, led by senior quarterback/defensive back/kicker Blake Mullaly, who collected 61 rushing yards to lead the Rovers to a touchdown, scoring from nine yards out, evening the score at 7-7.
After the Red Devils’ initial successful drive, they did not engineer another touchdown drive, as several of their drives stalled because of penalties.
“We had a rough night with penalties, any time we got anything going, 10 penalties, that is not good enough,” added D’Amato. “That is down to the discipline of our guys, and we have to coach them better.”
The 6-foot-3 Mullaly continued to ignite Rootstown’s offense, as he pushed past the Crestwood defensive line, tallying 260 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
“He played a heck of a game and credit to him because he is a good football player,” D’Amato said of the Rootstown senior quarterback.
Mullaly paced the Rovers not just with his rushing game but also with his kicking game, booting a 37-yard field goal at the end of the first half, giving the Rovers a 10-7 advantage.
He continued to excel in the second half, leading a five-play, 67-yard drive capped off with a 33-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 17-7.
Although Rootstown commanded the lead throughout the second half, the Red Devils did not go away quietly.
The Rovers had the opportunity to close the game with a methodical drive near the end of the fourth quarter, recording an eight-play, 27-yard drive that took them inside of Crestwood’s 20 but the Red Devils’ defense stiffened, stopping the drive on fourth down to force a turnover on downs, taking over at their 27 with 2:45 remaining in the game.
“We fight because we love each other and I told them at the end here, we spent months together, we have one week left,” said D’Amato. “I am proud of their effort, and I know our execution was there, but I think we hurt ourselves with some penalties and just stupid mistakes.”
The Red Devils’ defensive stand was not enough to turn the game around, as they only ran seven plays before turning the ball back over to Rootstown after not converting a fourth down, resulting in Crestwood’s fourth loss in five games.
D’Amato said that it has been a challenging season, as the Red Devils have recorded a losing record despite having a strong senior class, but added that the experience gained by the underclassmen who start and dress for the team can serve as motivation for next season when the Red Devils begin a new chapter in a new league.
The Red Devils’ will conclude their season by facing CVC Valley Division rival Chagrin Falls at C.S. Harris Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.
