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Tag: NWC

  • Knights Get a Big Win on Homecoming.

    Group of high school students in football uniforms and formal attire during a homecoming ceremony on a football field.

    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.

    Ceremony crowning the homecoming king and queen, with crowned students standing on a football field surrounded by peers and young helpers.

    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.

    A football player wearing a red jersey with the number 2 runs through a cheerleader tunnel, with cheerleaders in black and colorful pom-poms on either side, as a large inflatable mascot looms in the background.

    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.

    A football player in a black jersey is attempting to tackle an opponent in a red jersey while other players are engaged in the play on a grass field under dim lighting.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights leading 12-0 against the guest team during a football game.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights with 12 points, Spencerville Bearcats with 14 points, in a high school football game.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 18, Guest 14, 2 minutes left in the second quarter.

    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.

    Football players in red uniforms prepared for a play on the field, with a scoreboard in the background and a clear night sky.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 26, Spencerville Bearcats 20, with 12:00 left in the game.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 33, Guest 20, with 11:55 left in the fourth quarter and 2nd down.

    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.

    A competitive moment during a high school football game, with players from both teams engaged in a pile-up on the field under night lights.

    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.

    Scoreboard displaying the final score of a football game, Crestview Knights 33, Spencerville Bearcats 27, with 4:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

    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.

    A football player wearing a red jersey with the number 2 is evading a tackle from a player in a black jersey during a nighttime game, while additional players from both teams are visible in the background.

    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,

    A football player wearing a red jersey and pants stands on the field, smiling and holding up an award certificate.

    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.”

    High school football players in red and white uniforms walk across the field after a game, shaking hands with opponents.

    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.

    Two football players in red uniforms, one (#28) facing away and another (#8) holding a football while looking determined, set against a night game backdrop.

    “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).

    Three students at a football game, wearing matching black shirts with pink lettering supporting breast cancer awareness, smiling and posing for the camera.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Chris Lutz.

    Pictures courtesy of…..Wyatt Photography and myself.

  • Lady Knights Dominate Lady Bearcats in Conference Match.

    Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball Team huddled together on the court before a match, wearing blue uniforms and preparing for the game.

    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.

    A volleyball player from the Crestview Lady Knights prepares to serve during a match against the Spencerville Bearcats, with an audience visible in the background.

    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).

    Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball Team and Spencerville Bearcats shaking hands after the match, with the scoreboard showing a final score of 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.

    Crestview Lady Knights volleyball team in a huddle during a match, wearing blue and red uniforms.

    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

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    Stats courtesy of…..Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory.

  • Knights Take on Lancers, in a Cross County Rivalry Match.

    Players from the Crestview Knights and Lincolnview Lancers shake hands at the net after a volleyball match, showcasing sportsmanship in a gym filled with spectators.

    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.

    A packed gymnasium filled with fans watching a volleyball match, with a player preparing to serve in the foreground.

    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.

    A volleyball match in progress, featuring players from Crestview and Lincolnview in a gymnasium filled with spectators.

    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.

    Players and coaches gathered in a gymnasium before a volleyball match between Crestview and Lincolnview, with the scoreboard showing 0-0.

    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.

    Crestview Knights girls volleyball team huddled around their coach, discussing strategy during a match.

    “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.”

    A crowded gymnasium filled with spectators watching a volleyball match, featuring bleachers on both sides and a volleyball net in the foreground.

    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

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    Stats courtesy of…..Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory.

  • Knights Win a Shootout, in Conference Opener.

    A group of children excitedly watches as football players exit an inflatable knight tunnel at a field during warm late summer evening.

    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.

    A youth football game in Convoy, Ohio, featuring players in blue and black uniforms on the field during a warm summer evening, with spectators in the background.

    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.

    Scoreboard displaying Crestview Knights 13 and Guest 8 with 12:00 on the clock in the second quarter.

    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.

    High school football game in Convoy, Ohio, with players on the field preparing for a play under a colorful sunset.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 28 and Guest 22 as the 3rd quarter ends.

    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.

    A high school football game in progress, showing players from two teams on the field during a night game.

    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.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 48, Guest 30, with 12:00 left in the fourth quarter, down showing 3rd down and 2 yards to go.

    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.

    Scoreboard displaying a football game between Crestview Knights and an opposing team, showing a score of 55 for the Knights and 38 for the guests with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter.

    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.”

    Two football teams shaking hands at the end of a night game on a well-lit field.

    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.”

    A group of football players in blue jerseys huddled together on the field during a nighttime practice, surrounded by coaches and staff.

    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).

    Stats and information courtesy of…..Chris Lutz.