By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Crestwood’s Nate Blasiole rushed for 291 yards and five touchdowns on Thursday. His season totals now stand at 1,090 yards and 19 scores.
Sheila Mathers/Special to Portage Sports

Crestwood football’s 38-7 victory over Beachwood on Thursday night kept the Red Devils moving forward in a big way.

The win was the Devils’ fourth straight and the program’s 4-1 start is the program’s best since 2019.

On Thursday, at Jack Lambert Stadium in Mantua, Crestwood relied on its running game once again and once again it delivered.

With the help of a momentum-making offensive line, Devils junior running back Nate Blasiole had another big game.

Blasiole finished the game with 291 yards rushing on an astonishingly low 16 carries (18.2 yards per carry) and scored five touchdowns.

His scoring runs came from 4, 93, 7, 33 and 51 yards out.

With Beachwood dressing only 17 healthy players, Crestwood agreed to a continuous clock throughout the game and from the start prior to kickoff.

“I am proud of the team’s fight, despite the running clock to start the game,” Crestwood head coach Jack D’Amato said. “Nate and the offense took over and it was an incredible night rushing the ball. We got key blocks from everyone on the offensive side, including the line and Tristen Addis and Bryce Bennett.

“We also got some of our young guys playing time, so it was nice to see them step in and do a good job,” D’Amato added.

After losing the season opener 42-30 to Rootstown, the Red Devils have now ran off successive victories over Minerva (36-21), Chippewa (42-13), Wickliffe (26-7) and Thursday’s win over the Bisons.

On Thursday, the Devils jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the first quarter, then the advantage pushed to 24-0 by halftime. Two more third-quarter scores continued to distance the Devils from the Bisons and there was no scoring in the fourth quarter.

Next up for Crestwood is a Week 6 matchup, at home, against Painesville Harvey.

“When you’re able to carry some momentum into league play, it definitely gives you a confidence boost,” D’Amato said. “The next five weeks will determine what we are as a team, and I’m looking forward to seeing these guys come out and fight for their brothers and execute our gameplay.

“Harvey will be a tough test for us, and our focus shifts immediately to Coach Mick and the Red Raiders after this team win,” D’Amato added. “We have a lot of stuff to clean up still, but we’re heading in the right direction.”

Blasiole’s season totals now include 1,090 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.