TWINSBURG, Ohio — Despite playing in a regional championship game for the first time in school history, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy made quick work of Villa Angela-St. Joseph on Friday.
The Royals scored quickly and built a 21-0 first-half lead. That set the tone for the rest of the night, as they controlled the game against one of the highest-scoring teams in Division III.
The result was a 42-7 win and the Royals’ first trip to the state semifinals. They meet Toledo Central Catholic (10-4) next Friday at a site to be determined.
It marks the Royals’ seventh consecutive win by 28 or more points. VASJ hadn’t scored fewer than 32 points since Week 2.
“We put a lot of stock in winning the yards per rush battle. We knew that was going to be key against these guys,” head coach Nick Cook said about dominating the line of scrimmage. “It’s blue-collar football for us. That’s how this whole thing has been built. A steady diet of barbells and the Bible. It’s amazing what that’ll do for a young man.”
Through 12 games, the defense has allowed more than 14 points in a game just once. A big part of that is the play of sophomore defensive lineman Paul Tepley. He had a couple of sacks against the Vikings and continues to prove why their defense is one of the best in all of Division III.
“We’re all one defense. We just go out there and grind every day,” he said. “We want it bad and we’re going to get it.”
Through three playoff games, the Royals have outscored their opponents 114-14. That starts with senior quarterback Charley Levak. He threw for 111 yards and ran for another 119 during the win against the Vikings.
The Royals entered the game averaging just six pass attempts per game. Levak threw seven passes in the first half alone, none bigger than his final throw.
With less than five seconds left in the half, Levak threw a jump ball near the end zone, where it was deflected and eventually caught by DonGino Bickley, who ran an extra 10 yards to the end zone.
“It’s just elite focus,” Bickley said about the catch. “Me and my quarterback trained all offseason, and all the hard work just pays off.”
That score gave the Royals a 28-7 lead at halftime and the rest was history.
“He’s unbelievable, he’s clearly one of the best players in the area and we think he’s the best quarterback in the state,” Cook said about the senior signal caller. “He’s going to lead us into the semifinal and roll from there.”
Up next is their toughest opponent yet in Toledo Central Catholic, but Cook knows what his team is all about.
“If our kids keep improving, look out, man,” Cook said with a smile on his face. “It’s an incredible group of kids. They do everything we ask them to do, and they trust our process.”
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