Western dominates Crestview for big win

COLLINS — Standout Hayden Kieth returned at quarterback and led Western Reserve to a stunning 34-0 shutout win over Ashland Crestview Friday night. The win at Bachelder Field improved the Roughriders to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the FC, and dropped the Cougars to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the FC. Western and Crestview are one game behind Monroeville (6-2, 5-0), which closes its season by visiting the Cougars and St. Paul (4-4, 3-2). Keith had not played QB since the first quarter of the first game of the season because of an injury. He returned on the defensive side of the football the previous week in a win over South Central. All he did in Friday's win was throw for nearly 300 yards and five touchdown passes to four different receivers. "I thought to get Hayden back at quarterback, that obviously helped us a lot," Western head coach Ty Stevenson said. "I thought he threw the ball really well tonight. "He was a tough sled running the ball and then we got him loosened up a little bit, and he ran the ball well again in the second half." The Roughriders elected for the ball to start the game, and marched right down the field. Keith found Brexton Fraelich on the 33-yard pass the get Western into the red zone. Unable to get a first down, the 'Riders faced a 4th-and-6 at the Crestview 12-yard line. Keith found Fraelich all alone in the end zone for the 12-yard TD pass. Then he tossed the 2-point pass to Dom Edwards for the 8-0 lead at the 8:12 mark of the first quarter. After each team traded possessions, Keith sacked Crestview QB Liam Kuhn for a big loss on third down. He then connected with Fraelich again, this time for 40 yards. After a run for no gain, the 'Riders went back to the air for a 24-yard pass from Keith to Tyler Wood. A failed two-point attempt kept the score at 14-0 with 8:05 left in the first half. The Roughriders defense forced the Cougars off the field in three plays again. Then, after two Crestview defenders collided, Fraelich was able to walk into the end zone with ease on a 68-yard drop in the bucket TD pass from Keith. The conversion failed, but Western was up 20-0 with 5:54 left in the first half. Crestview started to move the ball, but the 'Riders forced a turnover on downs at their own 32 with 3:22 left in the half. That proved criticial, as the Western offense moved quickly with Keith finding Edwards for a 44-yard TD pass with 1:24 left in the half for a commanding 26-0 lead. In the first half, Keith was 9-of-15 for 255 yards and 4 TD passes. After another turnover on downs with 6:25 left in the third quarter, Western put another TD on the board. Keith found Cooper Roe for a short 4-yard TD pass. Landyn Wiegel ran in the 2-point conversion to close out the scoring. "I am really proud of the way the guys played," Stevenson said. "I thought our defense was phenomenal to shut a team like Crestview out." Stevenson has a positive outlook for the rest of the season for his Roughriders, who visit Plymouth (1-7, 1-4) next Friday before hosting New London (3-5, 1-4) in the regular season finale. "Every time you can play football game, it's always fun. So we're going to just try to keep getting better," Stevenson said. "We're going to try to keep working on things and get better all week long, and hopefully we can put good performances together on Friday nights." Keith was 15-for-21 passing for 277 yards and the five TD passes for Western. Fraelich caught five passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs, while Wiegel added 77 yards on 15 rush attempts. Stevenson always gives his team the message to "bring your best game every week", and that didn't change against Crestview. "Well, we face Monroeville, Crestview, and St. Paul, and they are really good football teams," said Stevenson. " You got to make sure you bring itc every night you play those guys. "And I thought our kids did that tonight. I'm really proud of them and just happy that they can go get another win." Cresview 0 0 0 0 — 0 W. Reserve 8 18 8 0 — 34 Scoring WR — Brexton Fraelich 12 pass from Hayden Kieth (Edwards pass from Keith) WR — Tyler Wood 24 pass from Keith (run failed) WR — Brexton Fraelich 68 yard pass from Keith (run failed) WR — Dom Edwards 44 pass from Keith (run failed) WR — Cooper Roe 4 pass from Keith (Landyn Wiegel run)