By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

A 14-point fourth quarter lifted the Crestwood Red Devils to a thrilling 27-21 victory over Grand Valley on Friday at Jack Lambert Stadium in Mantua.

Trailing 21-19 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback Charlie Sommer found Jonas Honeycutt for a 34-yard score with just 1:55 to play for the game-winning touchdown.

It is the second time this season that the Sommer to Honeycutt connection provided late-game heroics in a Red Devils victory.

They did the same in a 21-17 triumph over Beachwood on Sept. 16.

“Jonas is a touchdown catching machine,” Crestwood head coach Jack D’Amato said. “He had three touchdowns on four catches, while making guys miss on yards after the catch. It was a great team win, and I’m proud of the way these guys came together after last week’s loss.”

The win improves Crestwood to 4-5 overall and 3-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference.

Crestwood’s offense was powered by sophomore Nate Blasiole, who carried the ball 43 times for 254 yards.

“Nate is a workhorse for us,” D’Amato said. “I say it week in and week out. He has the ability to cut and then outrun you, as well as run through you.”

Blasiole’s runs were helped by a physical offensive line that got it started up front, while, according to D’Amato, the team’s receivers set up the outside run success for the Devils because of their quality blocks.

Sommer finished 7-of-15 for 128 yards and the three TDs to Honeycutt (4 receptions, 85 yards).

“I am really proud of the way that Charlie took the coaching all week and executed tonight. He had poise in the pocket,” D’Amato said.

After a scoreless first quarter, Grand Valley jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

The Devils knotted the score, 7-7, by halftime on Honeycutt’s first touchdown score, coming from 21 yards out in the air from Sommer.

Blasiole busted through in the third quarter for a 52-yard touchdown to give Crestwood a 13-7 lead.

Grand Valley tied the score 13-13 on a 65-yard gamebreakinig run.

Honeycutt then got his second score of the night, this time from 19 yards out, to give Crestwood the 19-13 lead.

Grand Valley then took a 21-19 lead on a 1-yard run by Casey Turner before Honeycutt’s third touchdown with less than two minutes lifted the Devils to the win.

“I am really proud of the way our guys kept fighting until the end,” D’Amato said.