By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

High school football preview capsule for the Crestwood Red Devils’ 2022 season.

Head Coach: Jack D’Amato, 3rd year; 10-10 career record.

Coaching Staff: John Baldwin, defensive coordinator; Bruce Rininger, offensive coordinator; Jack Blasiole, special teams coordinator; Todd Smith, offensive line and defensive backs; Tom Sporich, offensive line and defensive line; Chris Stanley, wide receivers and defensive backs; Brandon Baldwin, running backs and linebackers.

2021 Recap: 7-4 overall record; 4-1 Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division; league champions; Lost second round of playoffs to South Range (49-6).

Returning Lettermen (10): Jonas Honeycutt, sr.; Noah Baker, sr.; Josh Eyerman, sr.; Hunter Yoder, sr.; Gavin McIntyre, jr.; Cody Brugmann, jr.; Nte Blasiole, soph.; Tristen Addis, soph.; Tommy Georger, soph.; Bryce Giel, soph.

Lettermen Lost (6): Louie Blasiole, Evan Daniels, Mason Daniels, Aidan Gutglueck, Jake Rowe, Ethan Strahan.

Offensive Outlook: The Red Devils, once again, are expected to unveil multiple spread and pro formations on offense.

However, the team’s success will rely on the loss of six key players to graduation. All of which were major contributors to offensive production during last year’s title season.

Quarterbacks: Sophomore Charlie Sommer steps into the starting role for Crestwood.

Evan Daniels, who graduated and had started for multiple seasons, was the county’s leading passer last year with 1,605 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Running Backs: Sophomore Nate Blasiole (5-8, 170) and sophomore Tristen Addis will be the team’s starters.

Offensive Line: The group will feature junior Gavin McIntyre, senior Hunter Yoder, sophomore Bryce Bennett, junior Blake Baumgardner (6-3, 240), junior Cody Brugmann, freshman Jake Eyerman, sophomore Landon Kuenzer, sophomore Steve Lincoln and freshman Logan Vojtko.

Yoder was named Honorable Mention All-Chagrin Valley Conference last year.

Receivers: One of the team’s most experienced returning offensive threats is senior Jonas Honeycutt (6-0, 165), who finished last year with 17 receptions for 487 yards and six touchdowns. He was named First Team All-CVC last year.

He will be joined in the aerial attack by senior Noah Baker, senior Josh Eyerman, junior AJ Januska (6-0, 150) and sophomore Mason Satterlee.

Baker is returning from a season-ending torn ACL that he suffered in Week 3 last year.

Defensive Outlook: The Red Devils will line up in a 4-2-5 base defense.

Defensive Backfield: The secondary for Crestwood will be created by Honeycutt, Baker, Josh Eyerman, Januska, Satterlee and Addis, along with sophomore Bryce Giel and freshman Nolan Huntington.

Linebackers: The team’s top defensive producer from last year was the graduated Ethan Strahan, who was one of six 100-plus tacklers in Portage County, finishing with 102.

Blasiole and Georger will be the team’s leaders at linebacker this season.

Defensive Line: Two-way players McIntyre, Yoder, Bennett, Baumgardner, Brugmanm, Kuenzer, Lincoln, Arnold and Jake Eyerman will be joined on the defensive line by sophomore Corey Barnauskas.

Special Teams: Crestwood’s kicker will be soccer standout Jayden Julian, while the punter will be Baker and Addis.

McIntyre will be the long snapper, while Sommer will be the holder.

From the Coach’s Eyes: “The kids work really nard and are committed to our culture and program vision.”

Part of that vision includes standout performances in the classroom, with last year’s Red Devils earning a 3.29 team GPA.

Underclassmen to Watch: Sophomore defensive end Bryce Bennett and sophomore running back/linebacker Tristan Addis.

Team Captains: Jonas Honeycutt, Noah Baker, Josh Eyerman and Hunter Yoder.