2008 ITCL Playoff Preview

Division 5 - Region 17 (Saturday November 8th) (7:00pm kickoff)

Kirtland Hornets (11-0) VS Crestview Rebels (10-1) @Niles McKinley Bo Rein Stadium

It didn't take long before Crestview head coach Paul Cusick contacted South Range coach Dan Yeagley about what to look for in the very talented Kirtland Hornets football team.  In fact, the call was made Sunday afternoon.  The Raiders of course fell victim of an explosive Hornet offense in route to a 63-7 drubbing last week in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs.  Now it is time for the Rebels to show what the other top team in the ITCL can do.  And with the way the Rebs are playing right now, they can show a lot of offense themselves.      Corey Hill has reached a new level of play these past few weeks as he has rushed for over 2,000 yards and has scored 27 touchdowns now on the season.  Last week he rushed for 227 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in route to a 41-12 win over a very good Waynedale ball club.  He also has 11 receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown to make him a double threat.      However, the real double threat comes in the form of quarterback, and Corey's brother, Carter Hill.  Carter has completed 54 of 105 passes for 911 yards with 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.  But he is also a bona fide threat to run with the ball too.  Carter has 108 carries on the year for 701 yards and 12 touchdowns.  The one-two punch of both the Hill brothers make it very difficult for a defensive coach to keep the Rebels offense from scoring.      But there are other options the Rebels also have in their arsenal.  Running back Nick Robinson is a reliable back with 37 carries for 261 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Jakob Leon is a tall receiver who provides Carter Hill with a go to option in the pass game.  Leon has 28 receptions for 495 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The key Saturday night however, will be the Rebels defense against the Hornets quarterback Ben Madden.  Madden (6'2, 185) #9 a senior, has passed for 1,324 yards on 61 of 109 passes, and has thrown 18 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions.  He has also rushed for 371 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Madden leads the team in interceptions as he has picked-off 3 passes from his linebacker position.      But the Hornets also have a number of other weapons in which to score with.  Senior running back Rossi Santo (5'10, 163) #1 leads the team in rushing with 529 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Sophomore fullback Mike Brettrager (5'11, 160) #18 has rushed for 416 yards with 5 touchdowns, senior running back Neil Perko (5'11, 185) #3 has 322 yards and 4 touchdowns, and sophomore running back/receiver Paul Guhde (6'0, 185) #26 has 197 yards and 3 touchdowns to round out the running game for the Hornets.      When the Hornets pass the ball, Madden has spread the ball around to quadruple targets.  Leading the receiving troops is senior Dom Samf (5'9, 152) #2 with 18 receptions for 587 yards and 7 touchdowns.  They also have junior tight end Anthony Ritossa (6'4, 210) #81 with 18 receptions for 386 yards and 7 touchdowns, Guhde with 17 receptions and 3 touchdowns, and Santo with 12 catches for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns.      But it is the Hornets offensive line that will be the big challenge for the Rebels.  The line is lead by senior center Kyle Smith (6'2, 220) #58.  They also have seniors Mike Valentino (5'11, 205) #61 at tackle, Skyler Chappel (5'11, 275) #56 at guard, Spensir Chappel (6'1, 230) #67 at guard, Kevin Breskvar (5'11, 200) #52 at tackle, and Adam Harkey (5'11, 220) #50 at tackle.  "Kirtland is extremely talented offensively, that being said, I believe it will be about or defense's execution.  Our defense must be assignment sound, run to the football, and be physical,"  Rebels head coach Paul Cusick would remark.

The Rebels themselves have good linemen in senior guard/defensive end J.D. Harris, senior guard/defensive tackle Ian Lanney, and senior center/defensive tackle T.J. Rankin.  These three anchor the Rebels offensive and defensive fronts in this battle between two solid football programs.      All the ITCL will now watch to see if the Rebels will become the front runner of the Upper Tier.  "Our league and local coaches have been real supportive.  Coach Circosta from Monroe Central sent a card as well.  It is important to represent our league, but it doesn't add any pressure," Cusick would add.  Hopefully, with strong line play, few mistakes, and a solid running game, the Rebels will advance to a Regional Final for the first time in they're history.  Cusick would comment on what he thinks is the real key, "Limiting their big plays, and we must finish drives off with TDs."

Kirtland Hornets 2008 Results: Beachwood (2-8)  [4:13] W 56-15  Fairport Harding (2-8)  [6:21] W 54-21  Wickliffe (2-8)  [4:13] W 31-6  Cuyahoga Heights (9-1)  [5:17] W 14-7 Richmond Heights (6-4)  [5:17] W 33-6 Independence (4-6)  [5:17] W 34-13 Cardinal (6-4)  [5:17] W 35-0  Berkshire (7-3)  [4:13] W 56-6  Newbury (0-10)  [6:21] W 62-27  Grand Valley (3-7)  [5:17] W 63-6 South Range (8-3) [5:17] W 63-7

Crestview Rebels 2008 Results: Monroe Central (7-3)  [5:19] W 20-19 ot Brookfield (4-6)  [5:17] W 42-0  Oak Glen (WV) (4-4)  [3:0] W 55-20  Columbiana (7-3)  [6:21] L 36-42 2 ot East Palestine (4-6)  [5:17] W 34-28  South Range (8-2)  [5:17] W 31-28  Lisbon (0-10)  [5:17] W 55-0  Mineral Ridge (3-7)  [5:17] W 35-0  Springfield (5-5)  [6:21] W 41-7  United (6-4)  [4:13] W 44-35 Waynedale (8-3) [5:17] W 41-12