Sumter – The offensive unit for the Crestwood High School football team has been prolific the entire season. After a shaky start to the season, the same can probably be said of the Knights’ defense as well.
After giving up 81 points the first two weeks of the season, Crestwood has allowed only 83 in the nine games since, pitching four shutouts along the way.
The combination has the Knights with a 10-1 record after a 42-0 victory over Orangeburg-Wilkinson on November 3 in the first round of the AAA state playoffs.
"The kids are just not allowing big plays to happen,” said head coach Roosevelt Nelson, whose team is ranked fifth in the latest High School Sports Report AAA Sweet 16 poll. “They are making teams earn everything they get.”
The Knights defeated Richland Northeast 49-21 to start the season, which was actually a pretty good job based on what RNE has done of late. That was followed by a prolific 62-60 shootout loss against AA No. 1 Gray Collegiate.
The following week against Sumter School District rival Sumter, Crestwood gave up 21 points in the first half. It held the Gamecocks scoreless the rest of the way in the 27-21 double-overtime win. That means the Knights have allowed just 62 points in the last 8 ½ games.
Entering the playoffs, Crestwood was led defensively by outside linebacker Seneca Moore. The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl selection had 51 tackles, 20 of them for a loss, to go with seven quarterback sacks and six forced fumbles.
Defensive back Khalil Moody, another Touchstone Bowl pick, had two interceptions and 23 tackles. Defensive end Javion Lammie had 12 tackles for a loss. Strong safety Da’shan Scriven, sophomore outside linebacker Brandon Cowell and middle linebacker Jenoryen Gleaton have been key contributors.
Offensively, Crestwood is averaging over 44 points a contest even though several of those games have been played with a running block. The Knights are very, very, very good at both running and throwing the football.
They are led by senior 4-year starter and Shrine Bowl quarterback Javion Martin. Entering the playoffs, Martin had completed 115 of 181 passes for 2,072 yards and 17 touchdowns against just four interceptions. He had also rushed for 342 yards and 11 scores on 50 carries.
Senior running back Azarian Yates provides the run-pass balance. He had rushed for 1,064 yards and 21 touchdowns on 161 carries. Yates has also proven to be dangerous coming out of the backfield with 11 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown.
Junior Jeremie Richardson was the leading receiver with 37 catches for 774 yards and six scores. Kyle Mitchell had 29 catches for 413 yards and two scores. Moody only has 10 catches, but they’ve gone for 380 yards and four scores.
“I'm satisfied with the balance,” Nelson said. “I think Azarian is one of the best running backs in the state, and we’ve got a quarterback who can make all the throws. They’re both seniors and have really stepped up.
“We started out with an inexperienced group at wide receiver. They’ve been getting out there and learning and doing the right thing.”
Crestwood will play host to defending state champion Beaufort in the second round on November 10 at Donald L. Crolley Memorial Stadium in Dalzell.
The Knights blew a lead to the Eagles in a second-round matchup last year. Beaufort rallied for a 48-42 win on the way to the state championship.
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