It was a bitterly cold, December night in Convoy, Ohio.
The roads still partly covered, from the weekend’s snowfall.
A sheen of glazed ice on the roads, as the melt refreezes.
Inside Crestview high school, the smell of fresh popcorn and pizza filled your senses.
Inside the gym, things were already heated up, as the Lady Knights hosted the Fort Jennings Lady Musketeers.
It was a physical game from the opening tipoff.
The officials tried to set the tone early, calling 4 combined team fouls within the first 2 minutes of the game.
Both teams struggled to make shots from the floor, and it was only a 7-4 game after the first.
In the second quarter, things didn’t get any better for the Knights or Musketeers from the field.
The physicality continued with jump balls, charges, and a lot of bodywork.
The Lady Knights took a 14-6 halftime lead into the locker room.
The Musketeers started the third quarter well, getting off a couple baskets, and clamping down on the Knights.
Lady Knights #1 Zoe Ross would hit a big 3 pointer to put a stop to the run, and the Knights would go a run of their own. It was here, that they started to pull away from the Lady Musketeers.
The Knights would have a 33-19 lead heading into the final quarter.
The fourth and final quarter would be a repeat of the first. Very physical, and both teams not being able to convert from the field or the free throw line.
At the end of the night, the Lady Knights took home a 47-25 victory and move to 4-2 overall this season.
#1 Zoe Ross led the team with 13 points.
#10 Haley McCoy led the team with 10 rebounds and was the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game.
I spoke to Knights head coach Mark Gregory after the game.
It was a big win in a physical game, and I asked him what was his biggest takeaway was from the victory?
“Yeah, you know, we struggled knocking down shots tonight and just had to play really hard tonight. They played physical and tough. The biggest thing that I take away from tonight is we struggled to get 50/50 balls all night long. I talked to the girls and that’s something that we’ve got to get better at.”
I noticed that the Knights were very aggressive on defense.
Utilizing everything from full court press on inbounds to zone presses. I asked if that was something they were going to do all season long, or was it specific to tonight’s game.
“No, no, no. It’s something we’ve been working on all season long, switching between man to man and zone press. We’ve been mixing things up a bit. Our pressure in the second half was a big difference in the game, and lead to some easy baskets for us, especially in the third quarter.”
The Lady Knights (4-2) next game is Thursday, December 18th, at home against the Columbus Grove Bulldogs. JV tips off at 5:30 PM.
For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook page for hours, menu, and special holiday drinks.
In the small town of Obetz, Ohio; the best cross country teams and runners in the state, were locked in and ready to go, on a cold 46 degree Saturday morning.
The young student athletes, family and friends, who all made the trip, were buzzing with excitement.
In Division 4, there was a team looking to finish some unsettled business from a season ago.
The Crestview Knights finished state runner-up last season. It was something that they carried with them through offseason training, and throughout the regular season, as they ran.
These boys were running with determination and purpose.
These boys were running for a title.
These boys were running for history.
Senior Lincoln Smith led the Knights, finishing in 17th place and earning 1st Team All-Ohio Honors.
As runners crossed the finish line, and the results were posted, the boys were beginning to realize that they were indeed Division 4 State Champions.
The Crestview Knights beat their biggest cross country rival, the Columbus Grove Bulldogs, and that made it all the sweeter.
The Knights ended up tallying 86 points, while the Bulldogs finished as the runner-up with 99 points.
In cross country, the lower the score, the better.
Crestview Knights lone senior Lincoln Smith lifting the state championship trophy high.
In the typical small-town fashion, that I’ve come to know and love, the tiny town of just over 1,000 people, welcomed the team home as champions, with lights, sirens, silly string and confetti.
As well as toilet papering the fall foliage, in the front of the school on the main road.
At the pep assembly inside the gymnasium, head coach Randy Grandstaff was emotional at the microphone.
He pointed out Knights runners 1 through 5, all finished within 46 seconds of each other.
Talking about how much hard work the boys put in over the summer.
The determination they ran with over the entire season.
After the assembly, I spoke to championship winning head coach Randy Grandstaff.
My first question was how does it feel to hear those words state champions?
“It’s a pretty good thing to hear. It still hasn’t really set it yet. I’m so proud of these boys, and everything they accomplished.”
In their individual speeches, a lot of the boys thanked Senior Lincoln Smith for his leadership and friendship. They spoke about how much they appreciate him and how much they’ll miss him. I asked Coach Grandstaff, what it means to have that type of runner and leader on the team?
“Yeah, when you have that type of runner and leader, all the others follow. It makes my job just a touch easier when you have that type of person. I’m thankful for everything Lincoln has done his entire career here with us.”
It came down to Knights runners 4 and 5, as they finished ahead of the Bulldogs runners. They really brought it home. I asked Coach what it was like seeing those guys run their best race, when it mattered most.
“Yeah, that’s the great thing about cross country. When one or two guys aren’t having a good day, others step up to the plate and help the team out, and honestly, that’s exactly what happened today. We had people step up, and now we are state champions.”
Lincoln is the only senior on the team. The Knights have a lot of talent coming back next season. I asked if he had any expectations for next season?
“Yeah, it would be nice if we could repeat. It’s going to be a challenge. An even bigger challenge than going from second place in Division 3 to being state champions of Division 4.”
I congratulated Coach Grandstaff, and the team on their historical achievement.
All the hardware from an incredible 2025 season, with the State Championship Trophy, right up front.
– by Sean McKenzie
Subscribe, follow, like, and comment.
Some photos courtesy of…..Wyatt Richardson of Richardson Photography.
The Crestview Knights were hosting the #4 ranked Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds.
The Knights needed a win, and some help to make the playoffs.
The Thunderbirds were just hoping to avoid an upset, as they had already clinched a playoff spot.
The Knights defense dropped LCC for a 4-yard loss on the first play of the game.
LCC answered right back with runs of 10 and 9 yards, before a false start penalty would set them back 5.
They’d connect on a 7-yard pass, before Thunderbird head coach Colin Stolly called a timeout with 8:41 remaining in the first quarter.
LCC went right back to the ground and pound, with runs of 5, 3, 2, 28, 4, and 0, before a 5-yard TD run by Lausen Flores. PAT was good, and it was a 7-0 Thunderbird lead with 4:41 left is the first.
The Knights first drive of the game, would feature their strength, the run game.
HB Braxton Leeth would have runs of 4 yards, 1 yard, and 8 yards, on the first three plays.
An incomplete pass, a 1-yard loss, and a WR run for 3 yards by Hayden Perrott, would put the Knights in a 4th and 7 from the 48-yard line.
Crestview would catch LCC with an encroachment penalty, would make it a 4th and 2 now.
The Thunderbirds would answer the call and stop Leeth for no gain, causing the Knights to turn the ball over on downs.
On the very next ensuing play, LCC HB Xavier Pernell would take the ball 54 yards to the house. PAT was good, and the Thunderbirds were up 14-0, with :21 seconds remaining. That would be the final score of the quarter.
Leeth would run for 3 and a first down.
A pass for no gain, a 2-yard by Leeth would make it 3rd and 8.
Knights head coach Cole Harting would call a timeout with 9:56 left in the 2nd quarter.
Knights QB Huxley Grose would connect with HB Leeth for a 14-yard pass, but it was negated by a Crestview penalty (illegal man downfield), and it was now 3rd and 13.
A 22-yard pass from Grose to Perrott would give the Knights a first down.
Leeth had quick runs of 2 and 3 yards.
A high snap led to a big 11-yard loss on third down.
The Knights would go for it on 4th and 15, but QB Huxley Grose would fumble the football. The Thunderbirds recovered at the 46-yard line.
Once again, it would be a 1 play scoring drive for the Thunderbirds, as QB Brady Parker would connect with WR Mike Quatman on a 54-yard touchdown pass. PAT was good, and the lead was extended to 21-0 with 6:43 remaining in the half.
Crestview plays of 2 yards, 1 yard, 11 yards, -2 yards, 7 yards, and 3 yards, would bring it to another 4th and 2.
Coach Harting would call his 2nd timeout of the half, with 2:29 left in the half.
QB Huxley Grose would run a keeper, but only gain 1 yard, and once again, the Knights would turn the ball over on downs.
LCC would run for 5 yards, before suffering a 1-yard loss to make it 3rd and 6, from the 46-yard line.
They’d connect on a pass (I missed the numbers). An incomplete pass and Thunderbird head coach would call a timeout with :36 seconds left in the half.
A Knights defensive pass interference penalty (bad call, should’ve been OPI), made it 1st and 10 at the 24-yard line.
An incomplete pass and a 5-yard loss would force LCC to call its final timeout of the half with :11 seconds left.
Another incomplete pass, and the Thunderbirds took a 21-0 lead into the locker room.
The Knights would get the ball to start the 2nd half of the game.
They’d start deep in their own end, after being stopped quickly on a Knights special teams mistake.
With the ball on their own 19-yard line, Crestview would have to drive the length of the field.
HB Braxton Leeth would pop off, with a 59-yard run on the first play of the half.
A penalty on the next play would make it 1st and 15.
An incomplete pass and a Leeth 6-yard run, would make it 4th and 9, from the 29.
The Knights would get the first down on a reverse for 11 yards.
Runs of 5 yards and 6 yards, then a shovel pass inside to TE Liam Putman for 4.
Leeth would run for no gain. Back-to-back runs by Leeth on 3rd and 4th down would end in no points, as the Thunderbirds stopped the Knights at the 2-yard line. Another turnover on downs for the Knights.
With a long field of their own, the Thunderbirds would go on a long drive.
Pass of 8 yards to start the series.
Runs of 6 yards, 3 yards, 6 yards, 9, yards, a 10-yard pass, run of 7 yards, 18 yards, and then an 8-yard run.
A holding penalty on LCC would negate a run, and make it 2nd and 12 from the 32-yard line.
A 1-yard run, and incomplete pass, would make it 4th and 11, from the 31-yard line.
A bad snap over the head of Thunderbirds QB Brady Parker, forced an interception by Knights WR/DB Hayden Perrott.
The Thunderbirds would take a 21-0 lead, into the 4th quarter.
HB Braxton Leeth would run for 8 yards.
A LCC penalty (personal foul) would tack on 15 more yards, and the Knights were quickly at the 42-yard line.
A 3-yard run, followed by a 23-yard pass, had them in scoring position.
An incomplete pass by Grose, then a 13-yard run by Leeth.
Leeth would be hurt on the next play, after a 1-yard run.
Crestview would finally get on the board, when Hayden Perrott took a jet sweep for 9 yards to the endzone. The PAT no was good, and it was now a 21-6 game with 8:26 left in the 4th quarter.
The Knights would recover the onside kick, and start on the 44 yard line.
They’d start with a 1-yard loss, then Huxley Grose would find Hayden Perrott for a 19-yard gain, to the 25 yard line.
Leeth would run for 1 yard on 1st down, an incomplete pass on 2nd down, and a pass for no gain on 3rd down, had the Knights facing a 4th and 9, at the 24.
Once again, QB Huxley Grose would find WR Hayden Perrott, as he went up and over, not 1, not 2, but 3, Thunderbirds to pull in a 24-yard TD pass, his 2nd of the game. PAT was good. It was now a 21-13, with 5:59 left in the game.
The Knights lined up for another onsides kick.
The Thunderbirds knew it was coming. Everyone in the stands knew it was coming.
We all watched, as the improbable, become reality, as the Knights recovered another onsides kick, as the ball took a high bounce on that needed second hop.
The crowd, which had been mostly quiet during the game, was now loud as I had heard them all season long. The coaches and players on the sidelines were jumping and cheering. All the momentum had turned in favor of the Knights.
QB Huxley Grose would find HB Braxton Leeth on a 16-yard pass to the 30-yard line.
Leeth would take the next play 13 yards on a run, to the 17-yard line.
LCC would take a timeout with 5:00 minutes remaining in the game.
A Grose incomplete pass, and runs of 5 yards, and 2 yards, put the Knights in a pivotal 4th and 2, at the 10-yard line.
Knights head coach Cole Harting would call a timeout, to talk it over, with 3:31 in the game.
With the momentum going against them, the Thunderbird defense took the field, knowing exactly what needed to be done.
The Knights decided to ride with what had led them to 6 wins in 9 games.
They handed the ball off to HB Braxton Leeth, but the LCC defense, stood its’ ground, and made the stop when they needed it the most.
Despite the Knights using their last two timeouts, the Thunderbirds were able to run out the clock and get the hard fought 21-13 win, and clinch a 1st round bye in the OSHAA playoffs. The loss officially eliminated the Knights from playoff contention.
QB Huxley Grose finished the game 11 of 16, for 118 yards, and 1 TD. HB Braxton Leeth had 28 carries, for 144 yards. WR Hayden Perrott had 5 catches, for 87 yards, and 2 total TDs and an INT. Luke Eggleston had 8 total tackles.
I spoke to Knights head coach Cole Harting after the game about the game.
“Well, you know, it really starts with the seniors and the amount of work that they put in these last four years. I was telling them afterwards, that when I got this job three years ago, those guys were the best class we had.”
I asked about those seniors and being honored, here on Senior Day.
“When it came to accountability, and just showing up to workouts and the amount of work it takes, and if you’re willing to do that. They showed all of it. That’s what I really take away from this group of seniors. I’m just really proud to have had the opportunity to coach these guys.”
(One final huddle for the 8 outgoing seniors, as family and friends gather. There were a lot of hugs and tears, as emotions were high).
I personally saw them practice onsides kicks, when I covered the team in the summer, I asked him about those kicks.
“Yeah, you know, there’s always a weird one, but we were fortunate. Hayden did a great job of really getting a nice bounce on those balls, and our team did a fantastic job of getting after it, and getting down there. They were willing to stick there nose in there and go get the ball.”
(Senior captain HB Braxton Leeth leads the Knights, into the locker room, for the final time in his career).
Homecoming is a week full of fun and celebration. The schools have spirit week. Where each day the kids dress up in a different theme. There’s a parade through town, where kids ride in trucks and in flatbeds, and fire departments from around the area get to play with their lights and sirens.
It’s also a week where alumni return to school, to talk about “the good old days” and reconnect with their alma mater. As well as see and talk to people that they haven’t seen in a while, as they get lost in the shuffle of life.
It all cumulates on a cool, slightly breezy, fall Friday evening, I was surrounded by mothers taking pictures on their phones, as a new king and queen were crowned, in a ceremony before a big conference football game.
Brentyn Rodriguez and Ellie Ward were voted king and queen for 2025.
After all the pomp and circumstance, and pregame activities, run by Coach Dylan Hicks, it was time to get down to the business at hand.
The #14 Crestview Knights needed a win to keep their slim hopes of a playoff berth alive, against the #22 Spencerville Bearcats, in a very tough Division 6, Region 22.
On the first play of the game, HB Braxton Leeth ran the ball for 24 yards to keep the crowd cheering loudly. QB Huxley Grose hit TE Liam Putman on a shovel pass, that went to the 1-yard line. Spencerville defense held strong and stopped Leeth for a loss of 3 yards.
On third down, the Bearcats held strong again, and dropped Leeth for 2 yards. It was now fourth and goal from the 6-yard line. Crestview head coach called his first timeout of the game with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Instead of attempting a field goal, the Knights went for it. QB Huxley Grose dropped back to pass, but there was nothing open. He scrambled around the left side, and took it into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game.
The PAT was no good. The Knights had a 6-0 lead early.
The Crestview defense had a good first series, as DE Will Sheets had a TFL on second down, to force a third and long for the Bearcats. DB Cash Hammons (more on him later) got the interception on the pass in great field position.
Leeth had a 12-yard catch from Grose on first down. He’d hit WR Hammons for 8 yards, and then Leeth would take it in for a 3-yard touchdown run. A bad snap (something the Knights have struggled with all season), led to another missed PAT, making it a 12-0 Crestview lead, with 6:07 left in the first quarter. That would be the last score of the first.
The Bearcats would not go quietly, as they proceeded to eat away at the clock. Runs of 5, 4, 3, 8, 4, and 4 just tired out the Knights and defense. They’d get a 10-yard run on a very nice QB scramble by Grady Smith. They’d finally get on the board, on a beautiful play action fake, and a wide-open touchdown. PAT was good, to make it a 12-7 Knights lead.
Knights TE Liam Putman would return the squib kick for 30 yards. He’d drop a pass from Grose on first down, and Crestview would end up turning to the ball over on downs, after another missed connection by Grose and Putman.
Once again, the Bearcats would just march the ball down the field. Runs of 12, 2, 2, 13, 9, and 15 yards, would force Knights head coach Cole Harting to call another timeout with 4:01 left in the half, as the defense was completely gassed. A Knights facemask penalty would setup a Bearcats touchdown on a QB sneak. PAT was good and Spencerville had a 14-12 lead with 2:15 left in the first half.
It would be a VERY SHORT lead for the Bearcats, as Knights WR/DB/K Hayden Perrott took the ensuing kickoff up the middle, before cutting to the right, and breaking tackles, all the way to the endzone for an 85-yard touchdown, to get the crowd back into the game.
The Knights would go for the two-point attempt, and it would be no good. Crestview would take an 18-14 lead into the locker room, as the Bearcats couldn’t do anything before the half.
Spencerville would receive the kickoff, and it was the same old story. Run the ball and wear the defense out. Runs of 1, 28, and 12 yards, before another Knights penalty (encroachment) would help them even more. They’d score on an 8-yard run. PAT was no good, but the Bearcats had the lead again, 20-18 with 10:06 left in the third.
The Knights were backed up after the kickoff, but Leeth would take over the drive. Runs of 27 yards, 13 yards, 8 yards, a Bearcat penalty (encroachment), would all lead to a 23-yard touchdown run by Leeth. The 2-point attempt was successful.
Crestview regained the lead 26-20 with 7:07 left in the third quarter. That would be it for the quarter. A bone-headed unnecessary roughness penalty by Crestview, was the only real highlight after the score.
Leeth had runs of 6 and 3, before a Spencerville penalty (encroachment). Leeth would continue to run, and ultimately score from 6 yards out. PAT was good, giving the Knights a 33-20 lead with 11:55 left in the game.
The Bearcats got stuffed on the ensuing kickoff, getting tackled at the 15-yard line. Spencerville runs of 8, 17, 2, 3, and 4 yards, had them quickly down the field. A Bearcat pass of 14 yards took them to the 32-yard line. Knights LB #55 Kale Lichtensteiger had a 3-yard TFL, hoping to stop the momentum.
The Bearcats answered right back the next play with a 14-yard run. The Knights answered that with a 1-yard TFL (missed the number), to bring up a big fourth down and two. Spencerville ran the ball up the gut, to get the first down, on a generous spot, that the side judge was overruled on.
Runs of 7 yards and 10 yards, got the Bearcats into a first and goal from the 6-yard line. Back-to-back runs of 2 yards each made it third and goal. Knights LB #28 Conner Hammons was hurt on the play, but walked off under his own power.
Spencerville scored the next play, with a 2-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, cutting the lead to 33-27, with 4:46 left in the game.
The Bearcats recovered the ensuing onsides kick, after the Knights special teams, looked scared to go after the ball. There was an almost 5-minute delay of the game, because the officials had another pow-wow, to discuss where the ball should be spotted.
By rule, the ball cannot be advanced by the runner, on an onsides kick. The Bearcats recovered it on the bounce and returned it almost to the 30-yard line. The officials finally did get it right, and moved the ball back to the 41-yard line.
The Bearcats quickly had runs of 1 yard, 3 yards, and 4 yards, to make it fourth and two. A false start penalty, pushed it back 5 more yards, and it was now fourth and seven, from the 38.
Knights WR/DB sophomore Cash Hammons would grab his 2nd INT of the night, and stop the comeback attempt in its’ tracks.
HB Braxton Leeth had a long touchdown run negated by a very controversial holding penalty, that was discussed by the officials for over a minute.
It literally happened right in front of me at the 15-yard line. It was a bad call.
Leeth came back to the huddle, quite unhappy, and proceeded to have an ANGRY ten-yard run on the very next play, where he absolutely TRUCKED a Bearcat defender, and got the Knights sideline jumping around.
The Bearcats called their final two timeouts, after runs of 5 yards, and 11 yards, by Leeth. Crestview would take a knee to run out the clock, and get a big 33-27 win on homecoming,
WR/DB Cash Hammons was the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game.
He had 2 big INTs, that stopped the Bearcat offense dead in their tracks, when they had all the momentum.
HB Braxton Leeth had 23 carries, for 238 yards, and 3 TDs to lead the offense.
I spoke to Crestview Knights Head Coach Cole Harting after the game, about getting this big win after a 2-game losing streak.
“Yeah, I mean coming off our last two weeks, you look at those teams, and they are excellent football teams. It’s definitely good to get back into the win column. Hats off to Spencerville, but our guys made enough plays down the stretch and seal it up.”
I asked coach, about need to get the upset win against LCC next Friday on senior night, at a chance to make the playoffs.
“You know, we just got to play with a little bit more physicality all the time. Right now, it’s coming in spurts. Every single man. We have to play physical, and if we do that, I think we can really be in that game next week.”
I spoke to him about Cash Hammons big game.
“We talked about it all week. We have to stop them on first and second down, and get them into third and long situations. Cash came up with a great play to setup our second touchdown, and another great play to seal the game for us. The really great thing is he’s only a sophomore, and he’s going to continue to learn.”
The Crestview Knights (6-3, 4-2 NWC) play the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds (8-1, 5-1 NWC) at home for Senior Night. Game starts a 7:00 PM (EST).
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats courtesy of…..Chris Lutz.
Pictures courtesy of…..Wyatt Photography and myself.
It was Military Appreciation Night in Convoy, Ohio, on a warm, early fall evening.
The Crestview Knights took the field, donning special uniforms, after pregame ceremonies thanking local community members, for their service to our great country.
The Delphos Jefferson Wildcats made the short trip west on US-30, looking to pick up their first conference win of the season.
On the first snap of the game, the Wildcats fumbled the football but managed to recover. After picking up a first down, they would get nothing. Jefferson converted a fake punt, but a delay of game penalty and another fumble for an eighteen-yard loss, would stall their opening drive.
The Knights would not convert their own 4th and 4, on their first possession of the game. Knights TE/DE Liam Putman would get his 1st of 7 sacks (new school record) on second down, forcing the Wildcats into a 3rd and 16.
Putman would have 3rd down catches of 11 and 8 yards on the ensuing possession for the Knights.
Crestview would finally get on the board, with a 59-yard touchdown run by quarterback Huxley Grose, at the 1:17 mark of the game of the first quarter. That would be it for the quarter as well.
The Wildcats would once again struggle with the snap. This time on a 4th and 3 punt. The high snap would force the punter into an incomplete pass, giving the Knights the football at the 27-yard line. Crestview wouldn’t do anything with the ball on this drive, and ended up missing a 45 yard field goal attempt.
Another bad snap on 2nd down, making it a 3rd and 9. The Wildcats would convert on a big 48-yard pass, all the way down to the 38-yard line. After a false start penalty, Jefferson would call a timeout, with 8:12 left in the half.
The theme continued, as the 2nd bad snap of the drive, made it 3rd and 35 for Jefferson. Pressure by the Knights defense forced a bad pass, and #0 Hayden Perrott would pick it off, and take the interception back 50 yards for a touchdown. Made it a 14-0 game with 7:00 minutes left.
A Jefferson false start penalty on 2nd down and Crestview would get a sack by #66 OT/DE Will Sheets would end the drive.
Knights #15 WR/DB Braxtyn Couts would get their 2nd interception of the game.
#4 QB Huxley Grose would connect with #15 Braxtyn Couts for a 25-yard touchdown pass. PAT was good, and that would end the scoring for the first half, with the Knights leading 21-0.
Special shoutout to Crestview Knights #13 WR/DB Bowen Ayers, who returned my 50/50 tickets, that fell out of my pocket.
The Knights would lose a yard on the first play of the half, then a holding call would push the ball back to the 17-yard line. They would be forced to punt from deep in their territory.
The Knights would recover a fumble.
#2 HB/DB Braxton Leeth would finally get his first good run of the game, going 13 yards. A Crestview false start would make it 1st and 15 on the 35.
Leeth would pop off back-to-back 18 yard runs and score his first touchdown of the game. PAT good making it 28-0 with 7:55 left in the 3rd.
DEs Liam Putman and Will Sheets would get a big 3rd down sack.
HB Braxton Leeth would run for 9 yards on first down.
QB Huxley Grose would lose 2 yards, making it 3rd and 3 from the 36.
Leeth would run for 37 yards and his 2nd touchdown of the game.
The PAT was good, making it a 35-0 Crestview lead.
That would be the final scoring play of the game.
QB Huxley Grose finished the game 12 of 21, for 102 yards, and 1 TD.
HB Braxton Leeth had 17 carries, for 117 yards, with 2 TDs.
TE Liam Putman had 4 catches, for 32 yards.
Putman also led the team in tackles and sacks with 7, to become the 1st ever allsportsfan.com Player of the Game.
I spoke to Crestview Knights Head Coach Cole Harting on the sideline after the game.
I asked him what were the positives in another conference win?
“I thought our defense played lights out. Liam Putman had five, six, or seven sacks, and that was huge for us. Our defense has struggled at times this season, and to come out and with this type of dominate performance was just amazing to watch. We struggled on offense tonight and our defense picked us up.
I asked him about Liam Putmans’ dominate game, especially his catches on 3rd down. If that was something they worked on in practice this week.
“We always work on third downs, and we really work on our plays, and we really run and focus on those plays. We executed very well tonight on those plays.
The Knights were unstoppable off the edge in the game. Getting pressure on Jefferson all game long and forcing scrambles and not letting him get comfortable. I asked him about the defensive performance off the edge.
“Our guys up front played phenomenal tonight. They made it tough for their quarterback. We didn’t give him time and that led to a couple of interceptions which is pretty awesome.”
The Knights are now 5-1 overall, and 3-0 in the Northwest Conference. They travel to Bluffton next Friday Night to play the Pirates. Game starts at 7:00 PM (EST).
The Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball Team hosted the Spencerville Bearcats at The Ray, in a Northwest Conference match.
The Lady Bearcats got the first point of the match, but that would be the highlight of the first set for them. The Lady Knights were aggressive and aces by #10 Lillie Best (18-4) and #1 Ayla Kreischer (21-5), easily won the first set by a score of 25-9.
The 2nd set, saw the Bearcats again get the first point, and was a much closer start to the set. Going back and forth, it was a 5-5 game. The Lady Cats went on a run, seizing momentum, forcing Crestview HC Tammy Gregory to call a timeout, down 12-7.
The timeout worked, as it completely stopped the momentum that Spencerville had gathered, as the Lady Knights tied the game at 12-12, and then went on a run. An ace by #20 Nora Perkins forced a Spencerville timeout, with Crestview up 20-16. The Lady Knights would win the 2nd set 25-17.
This time, the Knights would get the first point of the set, and would quickly jump out to an 8-4, then 15-5 lead.
An ace by #10 Lillie Best would a force a Bearcat timeout, leading 13-5. Then next ten points would be a bit back and forth, with the Knights leading 19-9. A long hard-fought rally would go the way of Crestview to make it 23-16, before the Lady Knights would win the final set 25-18, and win the match in straight sets (25-9, 25-17, 25-18).
Kaci Gregory led the Knights on serves, going 15 of 15 with 1 ace, as well leading the team in digs, with 12. It’s fun watching her dive all over the court. She’s a vocal leader as well.
Haley McCoy led the team in hitting (14 kills) and blocks (3).
Emily Lichtle led the team in setting with 23 assists.
The win makes the Lady Knights an undefeated 4-0 in conference play. I asked Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory about how they girls are keeping the winning train rolling.
“They’re confident and they trust one another. The younger ones are really coming along, and the older ones, they trust them. Another conference win and we’re still working towards that goal of winning the conference.”
With another undefeated team on the docket, I asked coach, how they’re preparing for the challenge.
“We’re going to focus on the basics tomorrow. We only practice on Wednesday and Fridays, because we play every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Aggressive serving and you can’t get enough defense.”
I asked about the Lady Knights aggressiveness at the net. It was much more prominent in this game.
“I don’t want them being tipping machines, but we talk about how you should have all your options, even in the timeouts. No free balls, we preach that over, and over, and over. They’ve got to do something aggressive, and they are doing that.”
The 16th state ranked Lady Knights are now 9-3 overall (4-0 in the NWC). They travel up I-75 to take on the Bluffton Lady Pirates, who are 12-5 overall and (4-0 in the NWC).
– by Sean McKenzie
Subscribe, follow, and like.
Stats courtesy of…..Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory.
Nothing like a good rivalry game, on a warm Tuesday afternoon, to get the blood flowing.
That’s exactly what we saw in as the Lincolnview Lancers made the trip across Van Wert County, to take on the Crestview Knights.
The Lancers were coming off back-to-back losses, and the Knights had won two straight matches.
Lincolnview opened the scoring, before going down 13-8 and calling a timeout. The Lancers then won a long rally to make it a 15-13 game. The Lancers and Knights traded timeouts at 16-15, and 20-18. The girls would trade points and rallies back and forth, before the Knights finally put them away, winning a hard fought first set, 28-26.
Knights #7 Emily Lichtle opened the 2nd set with an ace. Crestview would force a timeout by Lincolnview up 3-0.
There would be a long discussion at the net by two officials and players from each team, as nobody saw which side of the net, the ball fell, on what was supposed to be the 7th point of match. They finally decided to simply replay the point, and eventually the Knights won. (The two officials would not answer when I asked about it after the game).
They would once again go back and forth, with ties at 7-7, and again at 13-13. Crestview would go on a 4-point streak and force another timeout at 18-14. The Knights would call a timeout at 21-19.
The Knights would win the second set, the same way they started. Another ace by #7 Emily Lichtle iced it, 25-20.
She had a big game, going 17/17 on serves, with 2 aces, and a whooping 20 sets.
The Lancers would get the 1st point of the third set, before the Knights would answer with 4 straight. There would be great saves by Knights players #5 Lydia Grace and #3 Kaci Gregory, to get the ball back in play. Crestview would end up winning the point and going up 8-7. The Lancers didn’t go down easy, forcing a Knights timeout, with the Lancers up 11-9.
They would trade leads, before getting to a 15-15 tie. There was a miscommunication between Grace and Gregory on play, and the Lancers got the point to go up 16-15. Crestview would take the lead back at 17-16, and #20 Nora Perkins would get a big ace at 19-16. Forcing a Lancers timeout at 21-18. Perkins would finish going 16/16 on serves, with 1 ace, and 13 sets.
The Lancers had one last fight in them, tying it at 22-22, before the Lady Knights would win the 3rd and final set of the match, in straight sets (28-26, 25-20, 25-22).
#21 Haley McCoy led the team with 12 kills and 4 blocks. Kaci Gregory and Lydia Grace each had 19 digs for the Knights. Grace also went 9/10 on serves with an ace, as well.
I spoke with Crestview Knights girls volleyball head coach Tammy Gregory after the game.
I asked her how she and the team were feeling after getting a big conference win.
“I’m just so proud of the girls. You know, we put it together. We made some changes down the stretch, and they just trust each other. They’re becoming more confident every game. Winning the conference is a goal of ours. They had a game last night, and the girls stepped up and did what they had to do.”
It was a game of long rallies, with both teams going on long runs of 5 and 6 straight points. I asked how she kept the girls focused when momentum changes like that.
“We talk about that because your right. You know, our goal is to never let somebody score more than two points, but you know, that stuff happens. You have to stop it. Whether that’s a timeout, or changing something on the court, so that it looks different to the serving team. Once you get the momentum, you have to keep it going.”
The Knights are coming up on a stretch of 5 games in 9 days. I asked about that upcoming calendar.
“We’ve got another conference game on Thursday, and the girls know that we cannot overlook any team, at any given night. Some things are going well for us, some things aren’t, but we’re going to continue to gel and believe in one another.”
The Knights are now 6-3 overall, and 2-0 in the Northwest Conference.
The Lady Knights will host the Allen East Mustangs (3-8 overall, and 0-2 in conference play), on Thursday afternoon. JV starts at 5:30 PM (EST).
Knights JV girls volleyball team was also victorious, winning 2-1.
– by Sean McKenzie
Subscribe, follow, and like.
Stats courtesy of…..Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory.
It was a warm, late summer evening, with a slight breeze in Convoy, Ohio.
Little children running around with excitement.
The smell of salty, buttery, freshly popped popcorn permeated the air, making your mouth water just a bit.
It was the start of Northwest Conference play. The race for the title has officially begun.
Fort Loramie got the ball first, and couldn’t get anything started, as Knights CB Hayden Perrott got a sack on 3rd down, forcing a punt.
Crestview offense took to the field and struck quickly, as HB Braxton Leeth scored on the very first offensive play from scrimmage. Taking it 42 yards for the touchdown with 10:30 on the clock.
The Redskins would answer back with a 32-yard touchdown from QB Tanner Heckman to Tanner Eilerman. They’d convert a 2-point conversion to make it 8-7.
Knights TE Liam Putman would get a nice return on the kickoff, down to the 41-yard line. Leeth would score another touchdown, this time from 50 yards out. The PAT was no good, making it a 13-8 Knights lead with 6:41 left in the first quarter. That would be the score at the end of 1.
The Knights would get a TFL on first down. Redskins QB Tanner Heckman misses a wide open reciever on 3rd and 12.
Crestview and Fort Loramie would trade stops in the 2nd quarter before the Redskins would score on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Heckman to Hoying. The ensuing 2-point conversion attempt failed. Giving them a 14-13 lead.
Knights HB Braxton Leeth would score his 3rd touchdown of the first half, from 42 yards out. The 2-point attempt was successful, and the Knights took the lead 21-14.
The Redskins would convert a big 3rd and 8 on a 10-yard run with 2:47 left in the 2nd quarter. They’d score on a Ray Hoying 4-yard run, and another successful 2-point conversion, to make it 22-21 with 1:00 minute left in the quarter.
Crestview would again answer very quickly, on a 36-yard run by WR Hayden Perrott with only 0:15 seconds left in the first half. The Knights lined up to go for another 2-point conversion, but a false start penalty, changed head coach Cole Hartings mind. The PAT was good, and it was a 28-22 Knights lead going in at the half.
Knights QB Huxley Grose would complete a quick pass for a first down, before Leeth would score on a 46-yard touchdown run. PAT good, to make it 35-22.
Fort Loramie would respond with an 11-yard pass, and later a big run down to the Crestview 15-yard line. HB Hoying would take it in from 6 yards out for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion succeeded, and they cut lead to 35-30 with 8:43 left in the 3rd quarter.
Grose would hit Perrott for 9 yards on first down. Leeth would pop another big run, down to the 25-yard line, before breaking a tackle in the backfield and scoring his fifth touchdown. This time from 4 yards out. 2-point conversion fails, but it’s now a 41-30 Knights lead with 5:57 on the clock.
Knights DE Will Sheets would get a sack and force a fumble, at the 10-yard line.
Leeth would make it touchdown number 6, from 10-yards out. The PAT was good, to take an 18-point lead. 48-30, with 5:33 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Knights would force a Redskins punt. Crestview would muff the punt, and the Redskins would recover, however, it was negated by an illegal formation penalty.
Fort Loramie would force the Knights into a 4th and 2 from the 37. Coach Harting would go for it, handing it off to Leeth, who took it up the middle for 7 yards and a first down to the 30. QB Grose would hit TE Putman to the 22.
It would be a 48-30 Knights lead heading into the 4th quarter.
The Braxton Leeth show would conclude with his 7th touchdown of the game. A 5-yard run. The PAT would be good, and Crestview would take a 25-point lead 55-30, with 11:05 left in the game.
The Redskins would get on the board, one last time on a 1-yard run by Zander Grillot. The 2-point conversion was good, and that would give us the final score of 55-38.
Knights HB Braxton Leeth finished the night with 24 carries, for a massive 315 yards, with a whopping 7 TDs.
The senior running back has ran for 1,046 yards, on 91 carries, for 16 TDs, and 0 fumbles, in 4 games this season.
I spoke to Crestview Knights head coach Cole Harting after the game.
I asked him how it felt to start conference play with a big win at home.
“You obviously want to start league play 1 and 0. We didn’t want to start behind the eight ball with the rest of the league. It was great to come out here and establish some physicality and run the ball.”
I asked him about maybe leaning too much on Leeth.
“You know, Fort Loramie is a good team, and they can score a bunch of points. He’s our best player and you know, you look at it, he only had 8 carries in the first half, scoring several touchdowns, it’s not really that alarming. We try to mix it up a little bit at any time when need a play, but he’s our go to guy.”
Fort Loramie had success passing the football, using motion in the backfield, and getting open on crossing routes.
“That’s something if you watch on film, that Fort Loramie wanted to go to #81 and #0. They didn’t really focus on throwing to anybody else, so our defense was focused on those guys, and we did a nice job of limiting them. #81 made a couple of nice plays, and #0 did a nice job, but we made them earn it.”
It seemed like DE Will Sheets was always in the backfield when the Knights needed him to be. I talked to Coach Harting about that.
“He’s put on a lot of weight. A lot of good weight. A lot of muscle, and it’s really showing up now on Friday nights. It’s been really awesome to see that transformation as a football player, so we expect big things out of him and he does so, by making timely stops for us on defense.”
The Knights (3-1 overall, 1-0 in the NWC), travel to Harrod, Ohio next Friday night, to take on the Allen East Mustangs (1-3 overall, 0-1 in the NWC). Game starts at 7:00 PM (EST).
Nothing says small town Americana like a high school, Friday Night football game, on a cool, crisp, fall evening.
It was military appreciation night as, the Crestview Knights took the short trip to Haviland, Ohio to take on the Wayne Trace Raiders.
This was the 2nd rivalry game in 3 weeks for the Knights.
It would be a fast start for the Knights in the first quarter, as HB Braxton Leeth take it to the house on a 78-yard touchdown run every early.
Wayne Trace would control the clock in the first quarter but not get on the board.
Leeth would once again, get into the endzone with a 53-yard run, on a 3rd and 5.
The senior running back would finish the game with 13 carries, for 233 yards, and 4 TDs (78, 53, 15, 34).
The 2nd quarter would continue to be a friendly one for the Knights, as WR/DB Hayden Perrott would score two touchdowns.
The first was a 48-yard pass from QB Huxley Grose to make it a 21-0.
He’d follow that right up with a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown, to give the Knights a 28-0 lead.
The Knights defense held strong for most of the first half.
The Wayne Trace Raiders would finally get on the board with 36.2 seconds left in the half, when Clay Stoller took it in from 5 yards out.
The Knights went into the locker room with a 28-7 at the half.
TE Liam Putman had a big 24-yard catch in the first drive of the 3rd quarter, which was finished off by Leeth’s 3rd touchdown of the night. The PAT was no good, so it was a 34-7 game.
The following drive, it was once again, Grose to Putman for 24 yards. Grose was sacked on a first down, to make it a 2nd and 19. What do you do?
You just hand it off to #2 and watch him bounce it outside and run for a 39-yard touchdown (his 4th and final one of the night).
The score was now 41-7 Knights, and the running clock went into effect.
The Raiders would get into the endzone three times in the 3rd and 4th quarters, as the backups from Crestview were now playing, to make it a bit more of a respectable final score of 41-20.
The Knights have beaten the Raiders, 11 straight seasons now.
The Crestview Knights (2-1) open up NWC play, next Friday Night, at home, against the Fort Loramie Redskins (1-2). Game starts at 7:00 PM (EST).
allsportsfan 