Crest falls 72-44 in first round of playoffs

COLONY — It was a year characterized by its peaks and valleys.
From its opening day 64-14 romp of Pleasanton to its subsequent three-game losing skid to its sudden four-game upswing down the stretch, Crest High School’s football team saw it all during the 2015 campaign.
The Lancers entered Tuesday night’s playoff matchup with Caldwell hoping they could continue to ride their late-season momentum further up the mountain top of success, but instead coach Chuck Mahon’s magical season came crashing down in a 72-44 loss.
“We overcame a lot of adversity,” said Mahon, who wrapped up his second season as Crest’s head coach. “We had some injuries early.”
One injury stood out above the rest. Star running back and linebacker Gage Adams was knocked out of the Marmaton Valley contest and missed Crest’s next two games, which is coincendentally when the Lancers began their freefall early in the year.
But Adams returned in time for the fifth game of the season and the Lancers made a late season push to become the District 3 champion. Although the sophomore was suited up for Tuesday night’s game against the Blue Jays, Adams and his three-touchdown performance still weren’t enough for Crest to grab a postseason win.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two schools. First Crest jumped out to a lead off an Adams’ 65-yard touchdown run on the opening play from scrimmage. Then Caldwell responded with 20 unanswered points of its own.
By the end of the half, each team was very much in the game as the Blue Jays led 28-22.
But the contest could have looked much differently had Crest not been penalized for holding on two plays that went for touchdowns. With each of those plays nullified because of the flags, the Lancers went into the locker room with a deficit knowing they’d have to come out with a renewed sense of energy in the second half.
They didn’t.
“We needed to win the first three minutes of the third quarter,” Mahon said. “And we didn’t.”
Caldwell added two quick scores to go up 42-22 and the Blue Jays never looked back after that.
Because Caldwell’s offense has been such a dynamic force all season long, Mahon said he knew his team would have to be within one score because if the Blue Jays created any kind of separation, it would be game over.
“We just didn’t have enough,” Mahon said. “Trading (points) with them is alright, but once you’re down two scores to them, it’s kind of tough.”
Crest was outscored 44-22 in the second half despite Adams adding two scores on the ground. Mahon said the key to coming out on top would be preventing Caldwell’s star player, Colten Ward, from having a breakout performance.
Ward ended the day with four touchdowns and helped end Crest’s season.
Crest finished the season at 5-4 and was named the bi-district runner-up. The Lancers graduate nine seniors, or a little less than half of the squad.
“They’re very tough to replace,” Mahon said.
“Leadership-wise, skill-wise, you couldn’t ask for a better bunch of kids … But I’m looking forward to next year.”