Cracked: Waterford 'D' stymies Ceramics in new stadium
McLUNEY — The nostalgia of the brand new turf and stadium created at Crooksville High School was electric, and the atmosphere and community presence of opening night was an event to be forever remembered.
A large crowd welcomed Division VII, Region 27 foe Waterford to their new digs, but the Wildcats spoiled opening night with strong defense in an 18-6 nonleague win.
More: Offensive woes haunt Tri-Valley against DeSales
It was the first time in more than 100 years the Ceramics haven't played at Village Park, its home in the village that became inoperable after electrical and lighting issues in 2021.
The Wildcats intercepted quarterback Trinton Cottrell three times and held the Ceramics offense to 114 yards of total offense as they defeated them for the second straight year in the season opener.
The Waterford offense was paced by Dylan Taylor, who found the end zone twice. Waterford has been nothing but dominant in Region 27, reaching five consecutive playoffs. It marked the second straight year they held the Ceramics to single digits in points.
“We just had moments where we thought we could get right back in the game and we failed to capitalize on those moments in the game,” said Ceramics Head Coach Gage Lotozo. “We knew with Waterford what we were in for. They are going to come at you with big backs, they tackle well and they are well coached. They have a fundamental program that has made them successful. When we fall behind to a team like them, it makes it challenging for ourselves. We committed penalties that ended promising drives and we have to get better.”
The Crooksville defense responded on the first drive of the game, feeding off the intense crowd energy. Waterford quarterback Jake Pantelidis was stone-walled on the Ceramics 2-yard line by Andrew Willison. Crooksville’s offense then gave the ball back after Cottrell was intercepted by cornerback Mason Heiss at the Crooksville 25.
More: Zanesville blocks out the noise, makes some of its own against Newark
Running back Lane Cline then capped off a 4-play scoring drive, taking a short pass from Pantelidis and scampering 29 yards for the score at the 1:51 mark in the first. The extra point was bobbled and the ball thrown away, but it was 6-0, Wildcats.
The short down-and-distance plays plagued the next Ceramics drive after a pleasant run by running back Christian Browning. After falling short of the first down to end the first quarter, Lotozo’s Ceramics turned the ball over on downs at midfield to open up the second quarter.
Waterford continued to dominate up front with Taylor capping off a 10-play, 56-yard scoring drive as he bolstered himself in from the 2. It was 12-0 after Pantelidis’ run was stuffed short of the goal-line at 7:23 in the second.
The field was littered with yellow laundry on the Ceramics’ ensuing drive, a trend that continued throughout the game. The Ceramics had 11 penalties for 117 yards on the night — eclipsing their offensive production — most coming from questionable facemask penalties. Waterford had even more issues with penalties with 13 for 174 yards.
While the Ceramics failed to capitalize on those penalties, Waterford found ways to get the ball in the end zone. Nearing the end of the half, Pantelidis muffed a snap under center that was recovered by Ceramics defensive lineman Seth Dalrymple on the Wildcats 27. Crooksville couldn’t capitalize on good field position, again turning it over on downs, as Waterford took a 12-0 lead into the half.
When the Ceramics needed a big play, their offense sputtered even more. With two holding penalties and one big loss, they were forced to punt to open the third.
More: Culver's memory boosts Sheridan football to thrilling win at Licking Valley
Taylor made them pay, ending a 10-play scoring drive with a 10-yard run that saw him bust through the Ceramics' interior for the score. It put the Wildcats up three scores at 18-0 and all but vice-gripped the clock.
Crooksville didn't go quiet into the night, though.
After two personal foul penalties and two long runs by Cottrell, the hard-running quarterback found pay dirt to end the shutout with 10:55 left in the fourth. Cottrell’s two-point conversion run was short, making the score 18-6.
The Ceramics got another chance to climb back into the game after Cline’s fumble at the Waterford 34, but Crooksville’s offense failed to move the ball and cornerback Gaibe Ponchak picked off Cottrell at the Ceramics 45.
It was officially under wraps. Lotozo knows he has to be the face of the evolution of the program, which continues with a 12-game losing skid.
“I have been on the forefront with our kids about change,” Lotozo said. “Our players are hurting right now after not winning tonight, but we can’t change that. The only thing we can focus on right now is tomorrow and how we respond. We have a young roster and have limited depth, but that’s not going to keep us from doing our best.”
The Ceramics get another chance to shake off a disappointing loss to an exciting week of football when they take on Fairfield Union. The Falcons were trounced by New Lexington, 41-14, in their opener.
zan-sports@gannett.com; Twitter: @danb235
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Waterford 'D' stymies Crooksville Ceramics football in new stadium
