By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

After a decisive opening drive that resulted in an early first-quarter touchdown and 7-0 lead for Rootstown, the Rovers’ offense went dormant for the better part of two quarters.

In fact, it turned out to be about 31 minutes of game time because of a combination of stalled drives, penalties and Crestwood dominating the time of possession.

It allowed the Red Devils to bounce back to grab a 12-7 lead after a 16-play drive to begin the second half.

Bobby Bradley’s 3-yard run with 3:42 on the third-quarter clock, combined with a late second-quarter, 42-yard touchdown jaunt by Chris Mory, gave Crestwood the advantage on the scoreboard.

The game’s momentum had shifted and the Rovers desperately needed to respond.

That’s when Rootstown found its rejuvenation.

Repeatedly running to the weak side, with a combination of repeated plays, the Rovers’ offense came alive to score the game’s final two touchdowns — both by Damien Reuting — and secure a 21-12 Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division victory.

“We challenged the kids up front to be more physical,” Rootstown coach Tom Hannan said. “They were getting pushed around, and if we were going to win, we had to do a better job running the ball and moving the chains, and they did that.

“I am so proud of the kids tonight,” Hannan added. “We told them that ‘tired’ was not a word this week. When we fell behind in the third quarter, we knew we needed to answer back and that next drive was the key to the game. The guys responded really well.”

That response came down to a numbers game for the Rovers and their blocking scheme.

In scouting the Devils (3-4, 1-1 CVC Valley), Rootstown felt it could find success on the ground running to the weak side.

That gameplan did not materialize immediately, with the Rovers rushing for just 42 yards rushing in the first half.

By the second half, the strategy was unlocked, with Rootstown running for 134 yards and Damien Reuting, who seemed to get stronger as the game went on, accounting for 129.

“We did a lot of trading in our formations tonight,” Hannan said. “We were simply trying to outflank them. We trusted that our weak side, with numbers being even, could get the push we needed. That is a credit to (offensive coordinator) Alan Vanderink and all of the assistant coaches.”

The result was a third-quarter touchdown by Damien Reuting, with only 38 seconds remaining, from 18 yards out that put the Rovers ahead 14-12 after Blake Mullaly’s extra point.

In the fourth quarter, at the 7:52 mark, Damien Reuting scored from 2 yards out and Mullaly’s kick made it 21-12.

In between the offensive action, Max McEwuen was on a defensive mission.

Any hope Crestwood had at rallying for a comeback was dashed by McEweun, who had three fourth-quarter interceptions and now has five on the season.

McEwuen’s first interception set up Reuting’s fourth-quarter score — an important end zone visit because it put the Rovers (6-1, 1-1 CVC Valley) up by two scores (and the eventual final score).

“I love Max. He is awesome,” Hannan said. “He has such a great personality and gives a lot to this team. He did a great job tonight. We matched him up against their No. 4, and we told him that he needed to be ready — that they were going to try to throw it up and over you and when they do, we needed him to make plays. He did tonight for sure.”

Crestwood’s offense was in and out of rhythm throughout the game.

In total, the Devils rushed for 103 yards and threw for 73. Mory led the ground game with 44 yards, with Bradley right behind him with 43. Luke Zauszniewski had 38 yards receiving.

Damien Reuting was the primary offensive threat for the Rovers. He finished with 172 yards rushing on 27 carries.

“He was a workhorse tonight,” Hannan said of his senior running back. “He runs very hard, and he had a great game.”

Kiel Reuting scored the opening-drive touchdown for the Rovers, pushing across the goal line from 4 yards out less than 2 minutes into the game after Rootstown received the opening kick. The big play of the drive to set up the score was a 30-yard back-shoulder reception from Mullaly to Chase Duvall.

The win also became a unique milestone for Hannan, who has now defeated every Portage County school during his career as a coach.