Crestview football team poised for another successful season

Chris Snow, Ashland Times Gazette

August 12, 2022 at 5:06 AM·4 min read

Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Crestview’s football team appears poised for another big year in 2022.

The Cougars return most of their starters on both sides of the ball, but they do have to replace two-way standout Connor Morse, who had one of the best offensive seasons in area history last year.

Even with Morse’s departure, Crestview has plenty of legitimate reasons to believe it has a chance to finish the regular season undefeated again and repeat as Firelands Conference champions.

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With three returning All-Ohioans leading the way, the Cougars should be in the mix to contend for a Division VI regional title and beyond after finishing last season with a 12-1 overall record and reaching the regional semifinals.

“We return a lot of experienced players that got a lot of playing throughout the season and playoffs," fourth-year Crestview coach Steve Haverdill said.

Indeed, they do.

Crestview High School's Hayden Kuhn (5) throws a pass against Carey High School during their OHSAA Division VI regional semifinal football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Marion Harding High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Eight starters are back on offense, including all-state quarterback Hayden Kuhn. The senior, a two-time state wrestling qualifier, played a key role in an offense that averaged 36.2 points last season, completing 90 of 133 passes for 1,594 yards and 19 TDs with three interceptions.

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His top receiving options are expected to be wideouts Caden Cunningham and Tyson Ringler.

Adison Reymer is slated to take over at running back for Morse, with Wade Bolin leading the way as the fullback. The speedy Reymer primarily played wide receiver last year, turning 27 catches into a team-high 539 yards and six touchdowns.

Providing the blocking for the skill guys will be tight ends Owen Barker and Shawn Bailey, tackles Mason Ringler (All-Ohioan in 2021) and Caleb Cunningham, guards Grayson Burgess and Noah Stuart and center Gavin Barker. All of the big guys up front are returning starters besides Burgess.

Crestview High School's Adison Reymer (21) breaks a tackle by Carey High School's Austin Niederkohr (16) and stretches for the end zone for a touchdown during their OHSAA Division VI regional semifinal football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 at Marion Harding High School.

Other players who may see playing time on offense include wideouts Brice Perkins and Cayden Moore, running backs Clete Rogers, Michael Mays and Marcus Chacey and linemen Austin Huffman, Mason Cline and Carson White.

Devin Holloway will handle the kicking duties.

Crestview is also loaded with talent on defense, as seven starters return from a unit that allowed 12.8 points per game in 2021.

Defensive end Owen Barker, a 2021 All-Ohio selection and the reigning Times-Gazette Defensive Player of the Year, is the headliner of the group. Last year, he recorded 96 tackles, including 18 for loss and a program-record 13½ sacks, 25 QB pressures and five pass breakups.

Joining Barker on the line will be fellow end Gavin Cains and nose guard Mitch Cline.

Crestview High School's Owen Barker (25) pressures Northwood High School's Mason Smith (10) in the first quarter during their OHSAA Division VI first round playoff football game on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Crestview High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Bolin and Bailey are the projected starters at outside linebacker, while Mason Ringler will handle the inside backer position.

The secondary will consist of cornerbacks Perkins and Tyson Ringler and safeties Caden Cunningham, Reymer and Mays.

Ashland-area team-by-team high school football schedules: Find out who local teams play this season

Other players who may see playing time on defense include Kuhn at cornerback, Rogers at outside linebacker, Caleb Cunningham and Stuart at end, Gavin Barker and Huffman at inside linebacker, Moore at strong safety, Burgess at nose guard, and Mason Cline and Carson White on the line.

Owen Barker will also handle the punting duties.

“Replacing the talent we lost in last year's seniors and also adjusting to some position changes to get the players in the right spots to be successful [will be a challenge for us entering the season],” Haverdill said.

Last year’s FC championship was Crestview’s first since 2011. Haverdill said he expects his team to be in the mix for another one this year after going unbeaten in league games last season.

South Central High School's Brandon Mitchell (6) is tackled by Crestview High School's Mason Ringler (77) and Owen Barker (25) during high school football action Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at South Central High School. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

“The Firelands Conference is always competitive and will be again this year,” he said. “St. Paul and Western Reserve will again be very good. We believe if we play to our abilities and stay healthy, we can also compete for the conference title.”

The Cougars open the season against Loudonville at home on Aug. 18.

Reach Chris at csnow@times-gazette.com

On Twitter: CSnow_TG

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Crestview High School 2022 football preview

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