Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Crestview sophomore quarterback Jake Noling throws a pass during a 7-on-7 passing tournament at Salem High School earlier this summer. Noling is looking to take over the Rebels’ offense under first-year head coach Dominic Perry.

COLUMBIANA — Dominic Perry’s blood bleeds Crestview black and gold.

Perry has been an assistant coach with the Rebels’ program for the vast majority of his coaching career — 27 years to be exact.

So, when previous head coach Paul Cusick opted to leave after 24 years at Crestview for the head coaching position at East Liverpool at the end of last season, Perry thought the time was right to take that next step.

“Paul stepped down, and I just thought it was time,” Perry said. “I enjoy it here, I live here and I raised my family here. I just wanted a challenge, and I’m up for it.”

In January, the Crestview school board approved Perry’s hiring, and he became the Rebels’ next head coach.

Since then, it’s pretty much been business as usual for the first-year head coach.

“Not a whole lot has changed — I’ve usually run the offseason, so a lot of that hasn’t changed,” Perry said. “But behind the scenes, it’s a lot more organization and getting things done on paper, so that part has been a little bit shocking. It’s a lot of work behind the scenes.”

While Perry wants to bring his own characteristics and ideas to the game as head coach, he’s candid about the influence that Cusick has had on his football and coaching philosophy, having been a part of his staff for so long.

“Paul Cusick did a great job when he was here, and I learned a lot from him,” Perry said. “I still lean on him a lot. If I need anything, he shoots me back anything I need. But one of the big things we’re working on around here is accountability and teaching kids life lessons. It’s more than just a sport. We want kids to be accountable, show up on time and work hard, so that in the next juncture of their life, they can carry that on.”

Perry feels that his familiarity with the community, the school and the program gives him almost a head start as a new head coach.

He knows what the Rebels’ culture is, he’s familiar with the players on the team and he already understands what it takes to be successful at Crestview, having been a part of so many winning Rebels teams in the past.

“I’m a teacher here also,” Perry said. “We moved out here many years ago and I raised my family here. Both of my kids went through the program. I have a daughter in the seventh grade. I’m huge on creating relationships with people, players and students. So I’m very comfortable in the position I’m in.”

As the Rebels prepare to open the season with a new coach for the first time in 24 years, Perry has his work cut out for him.

Crestview graduated the vast majority of its production from last year’s team on both offense and defense. That group went 4-5 overall and finished third in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference’s Gray Tier behind Brookfield and Garfield.

“We’re big on accountability and we’re big on being coachable and our kids are buying into a lot of that,” Perry said. “On our coaching staff, we added a few coaches and brought back our defensive coordinator Eric Potts. Our offensive coordinators are Brad McClaugherty and Carter Hill. So I’m leaning on (all) those guys a lot. They’re very knowledgeable. (Tight ends and defensive ends coach) Lowell Bacon’s been with us for 25 years. So we’ve got a very good staff that I’m going to lean on for a lot of stuff.”

Despite this year’s team’s youth and inexperience, Perry isn’t shying away from keeping expectations high.

“We want to be competitive in every game,” Perry said. “Our goal here is always to win the league championship. We’ll take it week-by-week and not just try to be competitive.”

Staff photo / Neel Madhavan
Crestview head coach Dominic Perry coaches during a preseason practice.

OFFENSE

In the past, Crestview has run a spread offensive system, and will continue to do that this year under Perry.

The Rebels want to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers and force their opponents to defend the whole field.

Crestview returns five starters on offense, but most of its statistical leaders are gone, including quarterback Kirkland Miller, running back Roclen Bettura and receiver Dominic Yerkey. Perry said he expects sophomore Jake Noling to take over the quarterback spot, with senior Jake Parker providing a veteran presence in the backfield at running back.

However, the Rebels have experience returning on the offensive line. Senior Owen Bacon is back at tackle, while fellow senior Caleb Hughes returns at guard.

“They work hard, but we’re going to be a little inexperienced,” Perry said.

Out wide is where Crestview has the most production returning on offense.

Seniors Joey Carr, Spencer Cline and Zander Witherow are all back for the Rebels. Witherow had the second-most passes caught on last year’s team, as he finished the year with 15 receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

“We’re going to lean on those older guys at the skill positions,” Perry said.

DEFENSE

While the defense returns four starters of its own, there’s plenty of youth and inexperience on that side of the ball for the Rebels.

The biggest loss for Crestview is Bettura, an All-Ohio linebacker, who was also the team’s leading tackler for the past two seasons, with more than 100 each year.

All four of the team’s leading tacklers from a season ago are gone, so like the offense, Perry will be looking for new players to step up, as well.

“Again a lot of inexperience, but guys are really working hard,” Perry said.

Perry said he expects a number of new players to step into leadership roles on defense, including Bacon and Parker at defensive end and junior Max Hawkins at inside linebacker.

In the secondary, Carr and sophomore defensive back Cadyn McElhaney are two players that Perry thinks they can lean on in pass defense.

But right now, Perry is looking for who is going to step up at certain positions and fill certain roles.

“Guys are working hard and they’re doing everything we’ve asked them to do,” Perry said. “It’s just going to take us a little time to gel.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Special teams is a key side of the ball for Perry and the Rebels.

“We consider that the third team for us and a way for guys to earn their letter and participate for us,” Perry said.

Perry said he expects Carr to fill the role at kicker, with Hawkins taking on punting duties.

Crestview opens the season at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at home against Valley Christian.

2023 Schedule

Aug. 18 Valley Christian 7 p.m.

Aug. 25 at Southern 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 at United 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 at Liberty* 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 Campbell Memorial* 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Brookfield* 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 Newton Falls* 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 Champion* 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 at Garfield* 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 LaBrae* 7 p.m.

*Conference game

2022 Results (4-5)

at Salem (6-5) L 7-17

Southern (11-2) L 7-12

United (9-3) L 39-42

at Campbell (2-8) W 63-0

at Brookfield (10-2) L 6-53

at LaBrae (1-9) W 22-7

Garfield (9-3) L 22-62

at Champion (3-7) W 35-14

Newton Falls (3-7) W 20-0

Coaching staff

Head coach: Dominic Perry, 1st season as head coach, 28th year at Crestview

Staff: Eric Potts (defensive coordinator), Lowell Bacon (tight ends and defensive ends), Jed Campbell (tight ends and defensive ends), Toby Bacon (offensive line and defensive line), Kory Whitacre (receivers and outside linebackers), Derek McElhany (defensive backs), Brad McClaugherty (receivers and co-offensive coordinator), Carter Hill (quarterbacks and co-offensive coordinator), Dominic Perry IV (offensive line and defensive line).

Team facts

Division VI, Region 21

Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference – Gray Tier

Players on Roster: 43

Returning Letterwinners (13): Owen Bacon, Joey Carr, Jake Parker, Zander Witherow, Jameson English, Spencer Cline, Drew Dattilio, Caleb Hughes, Max Hawkins, Jayden Kimble, Chase Nelson, Cadyn McElhany, Mikey Proctor.

2022 season: Last season, Crestview was just on the cusp of making the playoffs. At 4-5, the Rebels were one spot outside of the playoff rankings. Despite losing their first three games, Crestview bounced back behind a balanced passing and rushing offense to win four of its six remaining games.