Midview senior quarterback Dustin Crum put on another spectacular performance in his final regular home appearance.
Crum threw five touchdowns, ran another three into the end zone and accounted for 528 yards of total offense as Midview clinched a home playoff game with an impressive 55-34 Southwestern Conference win over Avon Lake on Oct. 21.
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“Dustin is a warrior,” D.J. Shaw said. “He’s been our guy all season. When we need a big first down, he’s there to get it for us. We’ve even put him on defense, where he has made big plays.
“He’s a tough kid. He’s not your average run-of-the mill quarterback. He’s a playmaker.”
Crum had touchdown passes of 67 and 58 yards to Keith Johnson (7-208) and an eight-yarder to Seth Frambach – which gave Midview a 34-14 lead at the half. Crum also had touchdown runs of 36 and two in the first half.
Avon Lake quarterback Mark Pappas had touchdown passes of 67 and 55 yards to Carson Toy and David Marsh in the first half.
The high-octane Middies offense picked up where they left off to start the third quarter with Crum hitting Johnson for the third time in the game – this one from 53 yards out – to give Midview a 41-14 lead.
After Avon Lake trimmed the deficit down to 41-21 when Mark Pappas hit Toy (11-160) for the second time – this one from seven yards out, Midview’s defense forced a big turnover on downs. Being able to stop Avon Lake proved to be a key for Shaw.
“Avon Lake is a very good football team,” Shaw said. “Our defense was able to get some stops when we needed it. You’re never going to stop an offense that is that good. They have some great players. Our defense held strong enough and long enough to get a lead which was huge.”
Avon Lake quarterback Mark Pappas (31-for-50, 446 yards, five touchdowns) continued to find holes in Midview’s defense. He connected with Caleb Burr from 10 yards out to mark it 41-27, but Crum continued to steal the show.
Crum scored his third rushing touchdown of the game – a 15-yard run – then capped off his fantastic game with a seven yard pass to Alonzo Banks.
“It’s an awesome field,” Crum said. “I’ve been on this field watching great players come before me. To close it out on a high note is really cool. It means a lot in the playoff picture because I think we clinched a home playoff game.”
Midview did clinch a home playoff game, which is something which Shaw believed was fantastic given the success they have had at home.
Knowing the game could turn into a shootout, Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz knew his team couldn’t afford to give up and possessions. Unfortunately they missed a few opportunities.
“We gave them extra possessions,” Dlugosz said. “When we came into the game we talked about being very efficient on offense and on defense we needed to make them punt a few times – and we did not do that.
“You just can’t give that offense with their triggerman (Crum) extra possessions and that is what it came down to.”
Avon Lake hosts North Olmsted next Friday, while Midview travels to North Ridgeville.
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