Photo/JOE LOVELL BELLAIRE JUNIOR running back Brayden Roth picks up yardage during the second half of last Saturday’s game against Martins Ferry. Roth and the Big Reds will play their final game on the home turf this week when Columbiana Crestview visits for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff in a Division VI opening round game.

BELLAIRE — There was a lot for Bellaire to celebrate on the field last Saturday after the Big Reds cruised to victory against rival Martins Ferry.

Whether it was SPARKY, the OVAC title, a home playoff game or just the 9-1 record, a lot of memories were created last week.

Don’t think for a minute, though, that the Big Reds are satisfied.

“These kids really like where they are, the success they’re having and they’re determined to keep it going,” Bellaire head coach Mark Spigarelli said.

The process of keeping it going begins Saturday at Nelson Field when Columbiana Crestview makes the 80-minute drive down Route 7 for an opening round, Division V, Region 17 playoff game that will kickoff at 1:30 p.m.

“We have to be ready to play because this isn’t the type of team you’d expect to see when you hear 12-seed,” Spigarelli cautioned.

For the Big Reds, the playoffs have become customary. This marks their 16th trip to the postseason and fourth consecutive trip. Crestview, meanwhile, has qualified 17 times prior to this season and since 2009, the Rebels have missed just twice.

Though Crestview wouldn’t have qualified under the 2019 tournament format, which took just eight team per region, it would have advanced even if the OHSAA had not elected to double the size of the field and only went with the top 12 seeds.

“I really wish they would have kept it at 12 teams like the OHSAA and the (Ohio High School Football) Coaches Association agreed upon originally,” Spigarelli said. “The OHSAA kind of went behind (the coaches) backs and do what they wanted to do and you’re going to have teams in the playoffs that just aren’t very good. Having said that, Crestview is not in that category.”

The Rebels finished the season at 5-4 after their scheduled game against Garrettsville Garfield was canceled in week 8. They suffered losses to Salem (38-13), Hanoverton United (28-21), Brookfield (20-13) and Leavittsburg LaBrae (34-13). Those squads finished with a combined 30-8 record.

“That’s a great league (Crestview) plays in,” Spigarelli said. “They played a lot of quality teams.”

The Big Reds, meanwhile, have been one of the area’s premier squads all season. All but two of their victories came against playoff teams, in their respective state. The OVAC title was Bellaire’s 15th in school history, but first since 2013.

“Overall, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” Spigarelli said. “Obviously, we wish we would have beaten St. Clairsville, but to have beaten Martins Ferry and Shadyside both was big for us. It’s been a season these kids will remember for a long time, but we’re not done yet.”

The Big Reds are preparing for a balanced Crestview squad, which is led by senior quarterback Anthony Cusick, who has been impressive this fall. He’s completed 127 of 230 passes for 1,590 and 17 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He’s rushed for better than 300 yards and six touchdowns, too.

On the ground, the Rebels rely on junior Roclen Bettura, who has rushed for 1,091 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s also a force on defense with 110 tackles.

Cusick likes to spread the ball out when he throws. Crestview has four players with 20 or more catches this season, including sophomore Zander Witherow, who has 31 receptions for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Kirkland Miller had 29 grabs for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Bettura has hauled in 25 passes for 289 yards and scored five touchdowns and senior Jack Yerkey has 20 catches for 254 yards and a score.

“They have some impressive stats,” Spigarelli said. “The quarterback is very good and the tailback kind of reminds me of (Wyatt) Reiman from Shadyside and (Hayden) McCrate from Union Local. He runs very hard, has good feet and you watch the film and you never see those receivers drop a ball.”

The Big Reds defense has been up to basically all tasks put before them this season. They’ve done it by being opportunistic and forcing 29 turnovers, including 19 interceptions. Of the turnovers forced, nine have been returned for touchdowns.

“We need to continue to play hard-nosed, aggressive, nasty-style defense,” Spigarelli said. “If we’re able to do that, things will take care of themselves.”

The Big Reds’ unquestioned defensive leader is senior linebacker Colt Sechrest. The Youngstown State commit has 75 tackles, five interceptions, two defensive touchdowns and a fumble recovery.

Logan Edgar (60) and Jaiden Kesterson (53.5) are second and third, respectively in tackles. Senior Timmy O’Grady, who is a key cog on both lines, leads the defensive front with 51.5 tackles and 12 for loss.

In the secondary, junior Ray Ray Pettigrew has been a ballhawk. He’s picked off five passes, racing three back for touchdowns, had a scoop and score last week against Martins Ferry and has 31 tackles.

On the offensive side, the Big Reds rely on many of those same faces.

Junior quarterback Jake Heatherington triggers the attack. He’s completed 90 of 175 passes for 1,177 yards and seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Similar to Crestview, Heatherington has spread the ball around between a bevy of receivers. Junior Jakob Dowling has caught a team-high 26 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown. Pettigrew has 20 receptions for 325 yards and two touchdowns. Kesterson has caught 19 passes for 212 yards and Sechrest has recorded 15 catches for 287 and five touchdowns.

On the ground, junior Brayden Roth leads the team with 760 yards on 125 carries. He’s scored eight touchdowns. Sechrest has rushed for 326 yards and five touchdowns, while junior Joey Lewis has 313 yards and three touchdowns. Heatherington has chipped in with 289 yards and five touchdowns.

Paving the way for the Big Reds are O’Grady (center), Luke Farmer (right tackle), Nick Materkoski (right guard), Braylon Kinder (left guard) and Daniel Zwack (left tackle).

“Crestview uses a 4-4 defense and they don’t sit around,” Spigarelli said. “They blitz to keep you honest and they angle right and left, so you really never know where it’s coming from. They play a lot of man to man coverage.”

Special teams have been a strength for the Big Reds. Junior place kicker Lucas Littell has connected on 26 PAT kicks and a field goal. Heatherington is enjoying another strong year as the punter.