OLIVESBURG — Sage Baith and the rest of Crestview’s senior linked arms and walked the length of Scott Bailey Memorial Field after Friday’s 34-0 Firelands Conference win over Plymouth.
The Cougars may have played their final home game, but they aren’t finished yet.
Baith rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries as Crestview (7-3, 5-2) clinched a playoff berth for the seventh time in school history and first since 2011.
“I didn’t want this to be my last week,” Baith said. “The senior stepped up. I can’t wait for the playoffs.”
Needing a win to lock up a playoff berth, the Cougars played with a sense of urgency. Crestview’s defense limited Plymouth’s rugged run-first offense to 20 yards in the first half.
“Our guys were ready to play,” first-year Crestview coach Steve Haverdill said. “With this senior group, I knew there would be no letdown.”
Plymouth (7-3, 4-3) came in averaging more than 39 points a game, but couldn’t get anything going.
“It wasn’t the way we wanted to finish, but this doesn’t define us,” Plymouth coach Mark Genders said. “The credit goes to Crestview.”
Crestview took advantage of a short field to score on its first possession. Baith scored on a 5 yard run two plays after a bad punt snap by Plymouth set the Cougars up at the Big Red 11 yard line.
Crestview extended its lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Ross Kuhn hooked up with Evan Hamilton for a 20 yard touchdown.
On the ensuing Plymouth possession, Hamilton picked off a pass at the Plymouth 41 yard line. Kuhn capped the abbreviated drive with a 1 yard keeper with 6:50 to play in the second quarter.
After another Plymouth three-and-out, Crestview’s Chase Shifflet punched it in from 2 yards out for a 27-0 lead. After a scoreless third quarter, Baith capped the scoring with a 4 yard run with 9:25 to play in the fourth.
The Cougars will open the Division VI, Region 22 playoffs on the road. Crestview’s likely regional quarterfinal opponent is undefeated East Knox.
“We’re looking forward to playing another week,” Haverdill said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
