After two consecutive seasons of playing .500 ball, the Crestwood Red Devils will have their work cut out for them this year. In the wake of graduating a big senior class, the Red Devils return with a younger and smaller roster, giving them a lot less margin for error.
“Wins will come as we develop football players as men,” Coach Jack D’Amato said. “It is going to be tough for us. We lost 15 seniors last year so that is a big group that all contributed one way or another, but we have guys that are moving into positions to step up and take those roles. I am just looking forward to that.”
According to the eighth-year coach, losing 15 seniors to graduation is tough enough but the Red Devils’ depth also suffered as their total roster size has decreased from 48 to 33 players. D’Amato acknowledged that less can be more but did not downplay the significance of having a smaller roster especially with limited varsity experience.
“They have done a great job this year so far buying into what we are selling, buying into football all of the time.It is what we talk about as part of our culture,” he said. “We call it EDCF, Everyday Crestwood Football. What are you doing today to make Crestwood better? They put in a lot of work in the offseason to get themselves ready.”
In addition to returning to a Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division with perennial powerhouse Kirtland as the projected leader, the Red Devils do see some shake-ups in the conference with Cardinal departing for the Northeastern Athletic Conference and former Portage Trail Conference member Rootstown entering the fray.
Replacing tenured starter Charlie Sommer at quarterback will be sophomore Michael Kalista, who saw some limited varsity action last year and now holds all of the cards.
“The kid is a natural leader,” D’Amato said of the 5-foot-8 sophomore. “As a freshman, when we did our voting for captain, he got three votes — as a freshman. That tells you exactly what kind of leader he is. That is exactly what we are looking for in our program, for the quarterback to be a leader of the offense and really take control; he is showing signs of that.”
The Red Devils’ rushing attack will also look different. Gone is school rushing leader, Nate Blasiole, and Crestwood’s running back room now consists of senior Bobby Bradley, junior James Lancaster and sophomore Chris Mory.
Lancaster has the most experience out of the trio, as Mory served as the junior varsity team’s running back and Bradley is returning to the team after sitting out his junior year.
“We are going to push some guys in position with James, Bobby and Chris, who will all rotate back there and get some touches,” he added. “They have had a great couple of days of practice so far, they are doing all of the right things.”
The Red Devils’ receivers are senior Wyatt Januska, junior Tye Berquist and senior Angelo DiNardo. D’Amato highlighted Januska as being a key focal point as one of Crestwood’s primary receivers.
“He is a talented athlete,” he noted of the 6-foot-t 4 senior “The kid can do anything athletically. He can throw the ball, he can touch the ball and he can run, and he can jump. He is an athletic show-stopper, so having him back for his senior year is pretty exciting.”
Senior Jake Eyerman returns as the Red Devils’ only experienced offensive lineman and will be joined by seniors Mike Hager and Brody MacLearie, juniors Austin Rivera, Ethan Marshall, and freshman Trent Forson, all who are still battling to earn starting spots on the line.
“They are coming along and learning their assignments and working on their blocking and getting in front of people,” D’Amato said. “These guys put the time in, they know their time is now, so they have to step up to be ready.”
D’Amato added that the Red Devils will have some experience returning on defense as junior Luke Zauszniewski will resume his duties as the starting cornerback. Januska will once again play safety, the 6-foot-1 Eyerman will anchor the linebackers along with the 5-foot-8 Hager and 5-foot-10 Lancaster and the 6-foot-1 Berquist will once again partner with the 6-foot-2 MacLearie on the defensive line.
“I think our strength will just be our ability to play fast,” D’Amato said. “That will be the biggest thing for us to play fast and do what we need to do.”
The Red Devils will welcome Portage County rival Mogadore to Jack Lambert Stadium for the season-opener on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
