Friday Night Preview: Badgers, Red Devils meet at an early-season crossroads

Crestwood brings a surging ground game to Berkshire as two 1-3 Valley Division rivals renew a series separated by just one victory.

Crestwood at Berkshire

Crestwood and Berkshire enter Friday at 1-3, but both have shown signs of breaking through. The Red Devils bring a three-headed rushing attack to Burton, where the Badgers will try to extend a four-game winning streak in a series they lead 9-8.

Steve Hare
By Steve Hare
Comments 0

Crestwood finally found the offensive breakthrough it had been looking for last week. Berkshire already has one dominant victory on its résumé but is trying to rebound from a tough league-opening loss.

On Friday night, one of them gets a chance to turn a 1-3 start into something more promising.

Crestwood Football travels to Berkshire Football for a 7 p.m. Valley Division matchup between two longtime opponents with plenty at stake.

A series that has swung both ways

Berkshire leads the all-time series 9-8, but the history between these teams has come in waves.

The Badgers won the first five meetings from 1982-95 before Crestwood ripped off six straight victories from 1996-2000. The rivalry returned to the schedule in 2020, and Crestwood won the first three meetings of that stretch, including a 22-21 victory in the opening round of the 2021 playoffs.

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Since then, Berkshire has taken control.

The Badgers have won four straight regular-season meetings, including a 36-8 victory last fall. Berkshire also won 42-8 in 2022, 35-24 in 2023, and 23-14 in 2024.

Friday’s date comes with its own piece of history.

Crestwood is 7-1 all-time in games played on Sept. 18, while Berkshire is 4-3. Two of those Sept. 18 games came against each other, and Crestwood won both — 30-13 in 1998 and 42-28 in 2020.

Crestwood breaks through

The Red Devils enter Friday at 1-3 but are coming off by far their best offensive showing of the season, a 53-8 win over Independence. Crestwood opened with losses to Mogadore, Garfield and Mineral Ridge before breaking through in Week 4.

The running game gives Crestwood several options.

Sophomore leads the way with 400 yards and four touchdowns on 41 carries, an average of nearly 10 yards per attempt. Junior has rushed 53 times for 375 yards and three scores while also handling the bulk of the quarterback duties.

Junior has been just as efficient, turning 36 carries into 339 yards and four touchdowns.

Together, Hess, Kalista and Mory have accounted for 1,114 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, giving the Red Devils three proven options on the ground.

Mory also has been one of Crestwood’s defensive leaders with 31 tackles, while senior has recorded 25 tackles.

Badgers looking to rebound

Berkshire’s 1-3 record has followed a different path.

The Badgers opened with a 27-22 loss at Harvey and fell 31-7 to Cuyahoga Heights before erupting for a 56-0 victory at Cardinal. Last week, Berkshire went on the road and stayed within striking distance of unbeaten Conneaut before falling 21-12.

Senior gives Berkshire a dual-threat option at quarterback. Miller has completed 32 of 59 passes for 408 yards and seven touchdowns and has added 139 rushing yards and three scores.

Sophomore has contributed on both sides of the ball with 70 rushing yards and a touchdown along with 17 tackles and a sack. has added a rushing touchdown and an interception defensively.

Early Valley Division stakes

Friday also carries early significance in the Valley Division race.

Berkshire is 0-1 in division play after its loss to Conneaut, while Crestwood enters its first Valley Division game. Conneaut, Chagrin Falls and Kirtland each won their league openers last week, leaving the Badgers with an opportunity to avoid an 0-2 start and the Red Devils with a chance to enter the race at 1-0.

Both teams also have ground to make up in the Division V, Region 17 playoff picture. Through Week 4, Crestwood sits 20th in the unofficial Harbin rankings with a 1.6750 average, while Berkshire is 25th at 0.8750. The top 12 teams in the region after Week 10 qualify for the postseason.

Something has to give

Crestwood arrives with a three-headed running attack coming off a 53-point night. Berkshire has won the last four regular-season meetings and gets this one at home.

The Badgers are trying to keep their recent control of the series intact. The Red Devils are trying to build on their first win of the season and continue a curious bit of Sept. 18 history that has treated them very well.

One way or another, a remarkably close 9-8 series is about to add another chapter.

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Crestwood
Football Game CenterCrestwood at Berkshire2026-2027 season
Berkshire
September 18, 2026 • 7:00 PMBerkshire
Crestwood 2-8 • Berkshire 5-5
Crestwood at Berkshire
Matchup2026-2027 season
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Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™
Win Probability
Powered by the OV Sports Engine
High data confidence
Crestwood27%
Berkshire73%
Current season: BerkshireRecent head-to-head: BerkshireHome field: BerkshireProgram strength: Crestwood
Projected Score
Crestwood
21
–
Berkshire
27
OV Power Rating13.1 / 10.2Crestwood / Berkshire
Momentum MeterFalling / FallingLast 3: 1-2 / 1-2
Strength of Schedule65 / 43Tough / Average
Game Quality Index36/100Standard matchup
Upset AlertLOWCrestwood has 27% model probability

Why the Predictor Favors Berkshire

Berkshire carries a 73% modeled win probability because Current season favors Berkshire; Recent head-to-head favors Berkshire; Home field favors Berkshire. The model refreshes as new results are entered.

Current seasonBerkshire
Recent head-to-headBerkshire
Home fieldBerkshire
Program strengthCrestwood
All-time seriesBerkshire

The Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™ uses the previous three seasons as an early program-strength baseline, then shifts weight toward current-season record and PF/PA as results accumulate. Recent head-to-head results, strength of schedule, momentum and the longer recorded series provide additional context. An unfollowed team's missing data remains neutral instead of erasing known information about its opponent. Home field receives a small adjustment. Predicted score and win probability are editorial estimates, not betting lines.

Since 1972

Historical Notes

Automatically generated from recorded football history • See an inaccuracy? Please report it.

Berkshire Win

  • Berkshire has now won its 5th straight against Crestwood.
  • Berkshire is now 85-26-1 when scoring 21-30 points since 1972.

Other Statistical Notes

  • This is the 18th recorded meeting between Crestwood and Berkshire since 1972.
  • Series: Crestwood is 8-10 against Berkshire since 1972; average score 24.2-23.2.
  • Crestwood's largest recorded win in the series: Sep. 10, 1999 • 71-7.
  • Highest-scoring meeting: Sep. 10, 1999 • 71-7.
  • Series shutouts since 1972: Crestwood 0, Berkshire 1.

Program Milestones

  • Crestwood has recorded 60 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Aug. 30, 2024.
  • Crestwood has scored 40+ points 75 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 11, 2026).
  • The program has reached 50+ points 24 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 11, 2026).
  • Berkshire has recorded 66 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Sep. 4, 2026.
  • Berkshire has scored 40+ points 81 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 4, 2026).
  • The program has reached 50+ points 28 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 4, 2026).

Record by Points Scored

Program record in games falling within each scoring range.

Crestwood scoring history
0-1022-151-4177 games
11-2057-82139 games
21-3072-26-199 games
31-4067-572 games
41+64-165 games
Berkshire scoring history
0-1017-123-6146 games
11-2061-82-1144 games
21-3085-26-1112 games
31-4061-970 games
41+71-475 games
Explore Crestwood Football Almanac →Explore Berkshire Football Almanac →

Crestwood Results vs. Berkshire

DateLocationScore
Sep. 18, 2026BerkshireCrestwood L 21-28
Oct. 10, 2025—Crestwood L 8-36
Oct. 11, 2024—Crestwood L 14-23
Oct. 6, 2023—Crestwood L 24-35
Sep. 23, 2022Great Lakes Cheese StadiumCrestwood L 8-42
Oct. 30, 2021—Crestwood W 22-21
Sep. 24, 2021—Crestwood W 50-7
Sep. 18, 2020—Crestwood W 42-28
Sep. 8, 2000—Crestwood W 41-6
Sep. 10, 1999—Crestwood W 71-7
Sep. 18, 1998—Crestwood W 30-13
Sep. 12, 1997—Crestwood W 52-18
Sep. 13, 1996—Crestwood W 17-12
Sep. 22, 1995—Crestwood L 10-14
Sep. 23, 1994—Crestwood L 7-38
Sep. 24, 1993—Crestwood L 13-31
Sep. 2, 1983—Crestwood L 6-28
Sep. 3, 1982—Crestwood L 0-30

Historical Data: Series records shown here cover 1972 through the latest imported season. Earlier meetings may not be included.

Season Leaders

Top Performers

Crestwood

Top Rusher
Nick Hess
Nick Hess
1,072 YDS • 133 ATT • 10 TD

Berkshire

Crestwood Series Record8-1018 recorded meetings vs. Berkshire
Crestwood Win Percentage.444recorded series vs. Berkshire

Crestwood — Last 5 vs. Berkshire

Sep. 18, 2026Berkshire
Crestwood L 21-28
Oct. 10, 2025Location not recorded
Crestwood L 8-36
Oct. 11, 2024Location not recorded
Crestwood L 14-23
Oct. 6, 2023Location not recorded
Crestwood L 24-35
Sep. 23, 2022Great Lakes Cheese Stadium
Crestwood L 8-42

Crestwood vs. Berkshire Series Notes

Latest meeting: Sep. 18, 2026 • Crestwood L 21-28

First recorded meeting: Sep. 3, 1982

Crestwood longest winning streak: W 8

Berkshire longest winning streak: W 5

Largest Crestwood win: Sep. 10, 1999 • 71-7

Highest-scoring game: Sep. 10, 1999 • 71-7

Closest game: Oct. 30, 2021 • 22-21

Average score: Crestwood 24.2 • Berkshire 23.2

Season Totals

Team Stats

Stat CategoryCrestwoodBerkshire
Passing
Yards4341361
Comp-Att31-7682-152
Comp %40.8%53.9%
Yards/Att5.79.0
TD / INT0 / 416 / 6
Rushing
Yards30021574
Attempts406334
Yards/Carry7.44.7
Touchdowns2723
Receiving
Yards4801361
Receptions7982
Yards/Catch6.116.6
Touchdowns0713
Defense
Tackles613131
Sacks914
Interceptions21
Scoring
Points1700
Season Statbooks

Player Stats

Crestwood Stats (2026-2027)

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
3Michael Kalista297140.8%40620.302200.0
80Landon Fehrenbach1250.0%258.30100.0
22Chris Mory1333.3%30.50100.0
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
21Nick Hess1331,07211.091.36310
3Michael Kalista1328727.582.3799
22Chris Mory988065.757.0237
19Xaden Beverly261834.35.7111
4James Lancaster11606.212.3160
80Landon Fehrenbach254.02.000
31Nykko Stryczny351.71.000
13Lucas Stoots1-1-1.0-0.500
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
22Chris Mory1313410.314.720
8Jake Devlin510721.415.300
9Tye Berquist37324.310.410
21Nick Hess4399.85.600
19Xaden Beverly33411.34.300
4James Lancaster22814.03.510
3Michael Kalista23231.02.910
5Tyler Devlin11717.05.700
44Josiah Baker771.01.800
38Gio Brock551.01.300
31Nykko Stryczny441.00.800
65Josh Hardt331.03.000
80Landon Fehrenbach221.00.700
74Cade Honeycutt111.00.500
52Clayton Mullins111.01.000
10Everett Baynes111.00.300
35Owen Overfield111.00.100
All-Purpose Yards
# Player RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
21Nick Hess1,07239130001,241177.3
22Chris Mory8061341706001,170195.0
3Michael Kalista87223000895111.9
19Xaden Beverly1833450022227.8
9Tye Berquist0731090018226.0
4James Lancaster6028830017121.4
8Jake Devlin010700010715.3
38Gio Brock0538004310.8
5Tyler Devlin0171000274.5
31Nykko Stryczny5400091.8
44Josiah Baker0700071.8
80Landon Fehrenbach5200072.3
65Josh Hardt0300033.0
74Cade Honeycutt0100010.5
52Clayton Mullins0100011.0
10Everett Baynes0100010.3
35Owen Overfield0100010.1
13Lucas Stoots-10000-1-0.5
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
3Michael Kalista872406231,301162.6
21Nick Hess1,0720391,111158.7
22Chris Mory8063134943157.2
19Xaden Beverly18303421727.1
8Jake Devlin0010710715.3
4James Lancaster600288811.0
9Tye Berquist00737310.4
80Landon Fehrenbach52523210.7
5Tyler Devlin0017172.8
31Nykko Stryczny50491.8
44Josiah Baker00771.8
38Gio Brock00551.3
65Josh Hardt00333.0
74Cade Honeycutt00110.5
52Clayton Mullins00111.0
10Everett Baynes00110.3
35Owen Overfield00110.1
Scoring
# Player TD 2-PT PTS KICK PTS PTS PPG
21Nick Hess000608.6
3Michael Kalista000546.8
22Chris Mory000427.0
35Owen Overfield00881.0
19Xaden Beverly00060.8
Tackles
# Player SOLO AST TOTAL TFL SACK
22Chris Mory0.00.0120.01.01.0
4James Lancaster0.00.090.04.00.0
3Michael Kalista0.00.077.04.00.0
19Xaden Beverly0.00.050.07.03.0
9Tye Berquist0.00.044.04.02.0
44Josiah Baker0.00.036.00.00.0
21Nick Hess0.00.031.01.00.0
10Everett Baynes0.00.029.00.00.0
31Nykko Stryczny0.00.026.03.02.0
5Tyler Devlin0.00.026.00.00.0
38Gio Brock0.00.019.00.00.0
8Jake Devlin0.00.019.00.00.0
65Josh Hardt0.00.012.00.01.0
51Ethan Marshall0.00.08.00.00.0
72Chase Thompson0.00.04.00.00.0
80Landon Fehrenbach0.00.04.00.00.0
55Trent Forson0.00.04.00.00.0
35Owen Overfield0.00.03.00.00.0
57Bentley Yarick0.00.02.00.00.0
74Cade Honeycutt0.00.02.00.00.0
77David Kalista0.00.02.00.00.0
66Chris Stofiel0.00.01.00.00.0
52Clayton Mullins0.00.01.00.00.0
60Gabe Heil0.00.01.00.00.0
J. Myers0.00.01.00.00.0
40Scott Tingler0.00.01.01.00.0
Sacks
# Player SACK YDL HUR TACK TFL
19Xaden Beverly3.00.00.050.07.0
31Nykko Stryczny2.00.00.026.03.0
9Tye Berquist2.00.00.044.04.0
22Chris Mory1.00.00.0120.01.0
65Josh Hardt1.00.00.012.00.0
Interceptions
# Player INT YDS AVG LONG TD
3Michael Kalista200.000
Kicking
# Player FGM FGA FG% LONG XPM XPA XP% PTS
35Owen Overfield010.0%0810100.0%8
Punting
# Player PUNTS YDS AVG Y/G IN 20 LONG
4James Lancaster291,14241.6142.8057
8Jake Devlin519739.465.7047
Kickoff Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
22Chris Mory817014.04.7014
21Nick Hess413032.58.7062
9Tye Berquist710915.226.3020
4James Lancaster78311.910.400
38Gio Brock33812.717.5025
5Tyler Devlin11010.01.7010
19Xaden Beverly252.50.605
Punt Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
22Chris Mory10605.33.3011

Berkshire Stats (2026-2027)

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
2Oliver Miller7813756.9%1,290143.316670109.4
3Bear Masink11100.0%404.40040137.5
11Zac Smith31323.1%315.2002539.6
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
2Oliver Miller863834.542.65811
20Trenton Holland763224.235.8254
20Trent Holland733134.339.1253
10Estevon Huesca201216.113.4120
27Brice Walker711917.019.8802
17Vance Rice33952.919.0170
1Dasen Marker15755.08.3160
28Hudson Hunter56813.68.5211
88Dj Ashba8668.322.0361
72Anthony Walker188.00.981
48Ryan Demchak-Castro133.00.330
9Jacob Ulatowski111.00.110
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
1Dasen Marker3351115.556.8605
10Estevon Huesca1431622.635.1703
3Bear Masink1418112.920.1613
8Bennett Miller1216313.618.1413
48Ryan Demchak-Castro210150.511.2621
9Jacob Ulatowski34816.05.3421
20Trenton Holland13939.04.3390
4Josh Heiden133.00.430
All-Purpose Yards
# Player RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
1Dasen Marker7551100058665.1
10Estevon Huesca12131600043748.6
2Oliver Miller383000038342.6
20Trenton Holland3223900036140.1
20Trent Holland313000031339.1
3Bear Masink018100018120.1
8Bennett Miller016300016318.1
27Brice Walker119000011919.8
48Ryan Demchak-Castro310100010411.6
17Vance Rice9500009519.0
28Hudson Hunter680000688.5
88Dj Ashba6600006622.0
9Jacob Ulatowski148000495.4
72Anthony Walker8000080.9
4Josh Heiden0300030.4
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
2Oliver Miller3831,29001,673185.9
1Dasen Marker75051158665.1
10Estevon Huesca121031643748.6
20Trenton Holland32203936140.1
20Trent Holland31300313313.0
3Bear Masink04018122124.6
8Bennett Miller0016316318.1
27Brice Walker1190011919.8
48Ryan Demchak-Castro3010110411.6
17Vance Rice95009518.8
28Hudson Hunter6800688.5
88Dj Ashba66006622.0
9Jacob Ulatowski1048495.4
11Zac Smith0310315.2
72Anthony Walker80080.9
4Josh Heiden00330.4
Tackles
# Player SOLO AST TOTAL TFL SACK
72Anthony Walker0.00.017.00.00.5
55Chase Bajzel0.00.017.00.01.5
20Trent Holland0.00.017.00.01.0
10Estevon Huesca0.00.011.00.00.0
48Ryan Demchak-Castro0.00.010.00.00.0
27Brice Walker0.00.08.00.01.0
4Josh Heiden0.00.08.00.00.0
17Vance Rice0.00.08.00.00.0
9Jacob Ulatowski0.00.07.00.00.0
44Bradley Sheets0.00.06.00.00.0
40Ben Pleva0.00.05.00.00.0
1Dasen Marker0.00.04.00.02.0
11Zac Smith0.00.04.00.01.0
60Aidan Andre0.00.02.00.00.0
3Bear Masink0.00.02.00.01.0
8Bennett Miller0.00.02.00.02.0
12Colton Miller Gabbard0.00.02.00.00.0
52Mason Brewster0.00.01.00.00.0
Sacks
# Player SACK YDL HUR TACK TFL
2Oliver Miller3.018.00.00.00.0
8Bennett Miller2.012.00.02.00.0
1Dasen Marker2.012.00.04.00.0
55Chase Bajzel1.55.00.517.00.0
3Bear Masink1.06.02.02.00.0
27Brice Walker1.06.00.08.00.0
88Dj Ashba1.06.00.00.00.0
20Trent Holland1.06.00.017.00.0
11Zac Smith1.06.02.04.00.0
72Anthony Walker0.51.00.217.00.0
Interceptions
# Player INT YDS AVG LONG TD
27Brice Walker100.000
Kicking
# Player FGM FGA FG% LONG XPM XPA XP% PTS
10Estevon Huesca000.0%0000.0%2
28Hudson Hunter000.0%0000.0%1
11Zac Smith000.0%0000.0%1
Punting
# Player PUNTS YDS AVG Y/G IN 20 LONG
1Dasen Marker090.01.009
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