It was a cold 48 degree, Saturday morning, in the small city of Van Wert, Ohio; that even the hot coffee in my thermos could barely conquer.
The air was heavy with a thick fog, that clung to it, like a blanket with an unwavering grip.
Hundreds of people were milling about the grounds, excitedly talking about the upcoming races.
Which teams were the strongest?
Which runner was going to win?
Did they or the teams have a chance to make it to state? (yes, they were talking that far ahead) LOL.
The Ohio Health XC (cross country) Invitational was being held at the Van Wert Country Reservoirs and Hiestand Woods and Parks Preserve, right next to the hospital.
The high school girls’ race, kicked things off at 9:00 AM.
A cold, foggy start to the Ohio Health High School Cross Country Invitational.
Knights runner Emily Heth would get off to a quick start (as seen above), but would fade a bit throughout the race. She would finish in 18th place with a time of 21:35.3.
Lydia Grace 30th place and Jetta Merkle 84th place, would both run new personal records of 22:20.3 and 26:47.5.
The Crestview Lady Knights would end up finishing 8th out of 12 teams that participated.
At 10:10-ish AM, the high school boys race started, and that is when Crestview history was made.
Knights’ runner Derek Young sets a brand new school record of 15:45.9, to win 1st place.
The boys team got off to a fast start, and they were able to hold serve.
Derek Young dominated from the opening shot, and never looked back, as he absolutely smoked the field (see above video, nobody behind him), with a new school record.
Newly crowned homecoming king, Kale Vining, finished 10th with a time of 17:17.
After Kale, 4 Knight runners group together to finish 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 29th, in Hudson Perrott(17:39.5), Andy Heth(17:46.2), Caleb Thomas(17:56.9), and Luke Sawmiller(18:08.8).
4 Knight boys also set new personal records as well.
Hunter Waltmire(19:28.9) Cole Miller(19:57.4) Evan Knueve (21:21.2) Carter Perkins(24:03.2)
The boys team finished 2nd out of 14 participating teams.
DEREK YOUNG is the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game…..or in this case, Runner of the Meet. LOL.
Thank you to Daily Dose in Convoy for being our sponsor.
The Knights and Lady Knights next race is the Kalida XC Invitational, on October 3rd, at 9:00 AM.
Alison Owens and Kale Vining were crowned as Homecoming King and Queen at Friday nights football game.
The small town of Convoy, Ohio had been abuzz all week long. It was homecoming week at Crestview Local Schools.
Spirit Week had kids and teachers dressing in their PJs, Whiteout Wednesday, dressing up as their favorite hero or villain, and then the home colors last night.
The smell of Friday night popcorn and pizza from Cheers and Gears Bar & Grille filled the air, as people milled about and talked at the concession stand.
As the Knights football took to the field, the kids and the home crowd were hyped up and ready.
Unfortunately, that would be as good as it would get for the Knights, as they would lose to the visiting Allen East Mustangs 41-0.
The Knights would bobble the opening kickoff but recover. They’d drive down the field, all the way to the 11 yardline. They’d get a holding penalty on 4th down. They’d miss the field goal with 6:05 left in the game.
The Mustangs immediately responded with a 38 yard TD run by HB Miles McDorman, to end the 1st quarter with a 7-0 led.
Allen East would get another TD from McDorman from 30 yards, then QB Keagan Jones would find WR Cam Smith for 2 TDs in the second quarter, for 66 yards and 55 yards, and take a 27-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
In the third quarter, QB Keagan Jones would score on a 30 yard scramble, and a 2 yard run by McDorman.
Allen East HB Miles McDorman scores his 3rd touchdown of the day, on this 2 yard run.
McDorman would finish the game with 141 yards, on 15 carries with 3 TDs.
Knights Freshman QB Calin Balliet went 14-21 for 75 yards, but threw 3 INTs. One of which, was an absolutely TERRIBLE missed DPI (defensive pass interference) by the side judge.
I spoke with Knights Head Coach Cole Harting after the game.
“We operated really well on that opening drive, until we got into the redzone. That penalty backed us up and we weren’t able to finish that. Scott kicked well in practice, so we decided to give him a shot. We missed, and from that point on, we couldn’t a get stop when we needed it. Couldn’t get a first down, when we needed it. We got to do a better job of executing the little things. We just got to get better at that, and if not, it’s going to be a long rest of the season.”
The Daily Dose in Convoy is a sponsor of the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game. For all your special-tea drinks, high protein breakfast and snacks, stop into The Daily Dose in Convoy. Located on the corner of US-49 and Tully Street. Check out their Facebook page for hours and drink menu.
The Knights are now 1-5 overall and 1-2 in Northwest Conference play. They travel to take on the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats (3-3 overall 0-3 NWC), next Friday Night at 7:00 PM (EST).
It’s homecoming week for the students at Crestview High School in the small town of Convoy, Ohio.
You opened the door to the school, and you could hear and see the excitement. The students singing and dancing. Elementary kids running around talking with their friends, while their parents were up in the stands. The smell of popcorn and pizza from the local bar, filled the gymnasium.
The Knights (4-5) girls varsity volleyball team was playing in front of a home crowd, for the first time in 10 days (4 games), taking on the Bluffton Pirates (10-5), in a Northwest Conference action.
The first set was a back and forth affair, with both teams trading points and streaks. The Knights would go up 10-9 on a long rally by both teams, with lots of digs and blocks. The Pirates would call a timeout down 12-9. They’d go on a small run, and get the set to 17-16, before forcing the Knights to call a timeout. A Crestview ace, would make it 21-18, and the Pirates would use their last timeout. It would be to no avail, as the Lady Knights would win the first set 25-20.
The Lady Knights would start out the 2nd set hot, winning the first 4 points. The Lady Pirates would get on the board after a long rally to make it 4-1. They’d come back and tie it at 5-5. Crestview would get it to 10-7, but again, Bluffton came back to tie it at 10-10. Crestview would call a timeout with the game tied at 18-18, after Bluffton got 4 of 5 points. They’d trade point back and forth, getting it to 22-22. Crestview would score 2 straight, to make it 24-22. A Bluffton timeout would get them a point at 24-23, but the Lady Knights would close it out, winning a hard fought 2nd set 25-23.
The Lady Pirates however, would not go out quietly. They quickly got out to a 8-3 lead, forcing Knights head coach Tammy Gregory to call an early timeout. The break worked, as they’d get 4 of the next 5 points to make it 9-7. A Bluffton point, then Crestview rattled off 4 straight to take their first lead of the 3rd set 11-10.
As it was all game long, it would be back and forth. Both teams making hard digs and saves, trading points and short streaks. It was a 17-17 game, when the Lady Pirates would score 3 straight points to make it 20-17. That would force the Knights to use their final timeout of the set.
Once again, that timeout stopped all the momentum C-O-L-D, as the Crestview Lady Knights would score 7 straight points, and win the 3rd set 25-20, and the match with a 3-0 sweep.
I spoke with Crestview Lady Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory after the game.
“There was so much on the line. We knew that Bluffton would be at the top of the conference at the start of the year, and knew that we could not overlook anybody. I’m so proud of the girls and how they played tonight.”
I noticed that the Knights had a player, all the way at the back line. That was something I hadn’t seen them do so far this season. I asked Coach Gregory, if that was specific for this game, or would that be a season long change.
“They’re not a team that’s going to tip a lot, so we were able to move our defense around a bit more. We wanted to make sure that we protected that out of bounds line.”
Leading the way for the Lady Knights in the victory tonight…..
I’d like to thank Daily Dose in Convoy for being a sponsor of the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game. For all your special-tea drinks, high protein breakfasts, and snacks, stop into the Daily Dose in Convoy. I personally eat and enjoy their Banana Nut Protein Bowl. Located at the corner of US-49 and Tully Street in downtown Convoy. Check out their Facebook page for store hours, drink menu and specials.
The Lady Knights are now 5-5 overall and an undefeated 3-0 in Northwest Conference play.
Their next game is next Monday night, at home against the Van Wert Cougars 1-11 overall and 1-4 in Western Buckeye League.
JV starts at 5:30 PM, with varsity to start afterwards.
Well, it’s Week 4, and that means for most college football teams; we are a quarter (25%) of the way through the season.
There are a lot of good games this week, as conference play begins for a lot to teams.
Of course, E(SEC)PN or just ESPN is just promoting the living crap out of the SEC games.
This is a GREAT week for SEC football though, so as annoying as it is, it’s actually justified this week.
I will say this, #1 Texas Longhorns vs #14 Tennessee Volunteers (Game starts at Saturday afternoon, 12:00 PM Noon, on ABC), is NOT on my list. Neither you nor I, have any interest in seeing TEN HC Josh Heupel meltdown in a big game again.
Neither you nor I, want to watch the extremely overrated South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers pull another Heupel, against #8 Alabama Crimson Tide (Game starts Saturday night, at 7:00 PM, on ESPN).
So without further ado, are the REAL Top 3 games you should watch this weekend (in no particular order)…..
1) #4 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) at #21 Florida Gators (3-0). Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on ABC.
I could go on and give you all the stats, and make your eyes cross as you read this.
I won’t do that.
This game is going to show us if the Florida Gators are for real, and deserve to be ranked.
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss and HB Kewan Kacy are going to score points.
Can Florida QB Aaron Philo and HB Jaden Baugh, keep up.
That’s the nut and bolts of this game. Plain and simple.
Prediction – The Ole Miss offense is simply too much. Give me the Rebels BIG. 42-21.
2) #20 Oregon Ducks (2-1) at USC Trojans (4-0). Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST), Saturday night, on NBC.
This is a rivalry game. It means a lot on the West Coast, especially on the recruiting trail.
The Oregon Ducks have the worst P4 (Power 4) loss of the season (to Oklahoma State), and then put up 84 points against Portland State.
They have to win this game. This is their only ranked opponent until November 7th (Ohio State).
For USC, they don’t have to win this game. They still play 3 more ranked teams (as of now), in Penn State (October 10th), Ohio State (October 31st), and Indiana (November 14th). They have small bit of leeway.
Prediction – USC is a different team at home than on the road. I’ll take the Trojans in a close game 35-31.
2) Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-1) at West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0). Games starts at 7:00 PM (EST), Saturday night, on FS1.
Nobody is talking about this game, and that is a big mistake. This is going to be a really fun game to watch. BOTH teams have momentum in their favor.
The Cowboys are still riding high off their massive upset of the afore mentioned Oregon Ducks.
Cowboys QB Drew Mestemaker is your classic “gunslinger”. He’s going to make incredible throws and some boneheaded throws. He’ll always keep them in contention.
They’re gonna need HB Caleb Hawkins to continue to ground out the yards in this game, and keep the WVU offense off the field.
Speaking of…..
West Virginia is coming off their 38-27 upset win over (than ranked) #25 Virginia last week.
Mountaineers QB Micheal Hawkins Jr is the entire offense. He’s thrown for 477 yards, with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, and he’s the leading rusher with 44 carries, for 322 yards, and 6 TDs.
They need SOMEBODY ELSE to step up.
Prediction – This is going to be a game of “big moments” and back and forth play. WVU is favored by 1.5 points. This is hard, but I trust the proven QB that can throw. Give me Oklahoma State to go into Morgantown and win on a game winning drive 28-27.
What game are you looking forward to the most???
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and USAToday.
As Week 3 of the college football season, typically has the non-conference games being wrapped up, unless you’re SEC, it’s hard to determine which games are worth your time.
I’m an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, but the truth is, that I’m not going to be watching a lot of their against Kent State (Noon on FOX) on my 4-way split screen TV.
I’m not picking #7 LSU Tigers at #8 Ole Miss Rebels, (7:00 PM (EST) on ABC), because it’s too easy, and we all, already know it’s a big game.
You gotta get through the muck, of the schedule, and that’s what I’m here for.
Here are the Top 3 games that I’ll be paying attention to the most.
1) #22 Houston Cougars 2-0 at Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0).
Gametime is Friday Night, at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.
The Cougars are led by 5th year Senior QB Casey Weigman. He likes to spread the ball around, with 3 WRs already over 100 yards receiving. Against Texas Tech, they’ll need HBs Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford to keep averaging over 5 YPC, to alleviate the pressure. On defense, they have active DBs, that get involved in pass rush, as DB Javion White leads the team with 2 sacks. That has to change. That front four needs to start getting pressure.
The Red Raiders are led by QB Will Hammond. He’s a pure pocket passer, completing 76% of his passes. He’s also taken 4 sacks. Junior HB J’Koby Williams leads the team in rushing with 187 yards and 2 TD, and receptions, with 10 catches. Texas Tech always has smart linebackers, and that continues. Senior Jamond Mathis leads the team with 2.5 sacks. LBs Ben Roberts (15) and Austin Romaine (12) are tackling machines.
Prediction – Everytime I picked against the Cougars last season, they won. I’d like to say that I learned my lesson, but NOPE!!! Give me Texas Tech at home 34-30.
2) #16 SMU Mustangs (2-0) at #23 Louisville Cardinals (1-1).
Gametime is Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN2.
The Mustangs are led by one of the best and most fun QBs in college football in Senior Kevin Jennings. He is must see TV. Jennings is completing over 76% of his passes, for 767 yards, with 8 TDs and 2 INTs. The entire offense runs through him. On defense, they’re led by Senior S Jimmy Wyrick. He leads the team in tackles (11) and sacks (2).
The Cardinals are led by Ohio State transfer Junior QB Lincoln Kienholz. He’s completely 68% of his passes for 639 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 20 carries for 111 yards, and 3 TDs. Can he keep this pace up for an entire season? On defense, their top 3 tacklers are all DBs, in Koen Entringer, Kaleb Beasley, and DJ Waller Jr. They only have 1 sack through 2 games. That’s not good enough.
Prediction – It’s always hard to count out Louisville. They’re a scrappy team. Kevin Jennings is the better QB and they have the better defense. Mustangs win 42-27.
3) Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) at Maryland Terrapins (2-0).
Gametime is Saturday night at 7:30 PM (EST) on FS1.
Hokies QB Ethan Grunkmeyer followed head coach James Franklin to the Hokies, from Penn State. He’s completing 77% of his passes for 551 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. HBs Jeffrey Overton and Marcellous Hawkins Jr, have rushed for over 263 yards and 6 TDs, through 2 games. On defense, they have 12 sacks through 2 games, led by DL Mylachi Williams and Cortez Harris, with 3 each. Both are also tied for the team lead in tackles (7).
The Terrapins are led by Sophomore Malik Washington. He’s completing 73% of his passes, for 533 yards, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs. On defense, LBs Trey Reddick (12) and Carlton Smith (10) lead the team in tackles. Overall, they have 10 sacks and 3 INTs.
The underwriting storyline of this game, is that Virginia Tech, paid Maryland $600,000 to cancel games in 2027 and 2028. This originally was supposed to be a 4 game home and home series, to renew a regional rivalry game. They will play this game, and the final game will be played in 2029.
Prediction – Both of these defenses are off to hot starts. It simply comes down to which HC I trust more…..James Franklin or Mike Locksley??? I’ll take Franklin and Virginia Tech 21-14, in a defensive game.
What game are you excited to watch??? Drop a comment.
The Lady Knights were back at home to start the week, taking on the Minster Wildcats, in their 3rd straight non-conference matchup.
The teams would trade points back and forth, before the Lady Wildcats rattle off 5 straight points to make it 9-5. Both teams continued to trade points, and it would be an 11-11 tie game. 2 more even point plays, then Minster would go on another 5 point run to make it 18-13.
The Lady Knights would go on a massive rally, winning the next 9 straight points, and jump out to their first lead of the set, 22-18. The Lady Wildcats would answer back with 3 straight points, forcing Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory to call a timeout, holding onto a 1 point lead at 22-21.
The break worked out well for them, as they’d win the next 2 straight points, and win the first set 25-22.
The 2nd set would start out rough for the Lady Knights, as the Lady Wildcats jumped out leads of 7-2 and 10-4 before, once again, Crestview had to call a timeout. Points 9 and 10 for the Lady Wildcats came after the Lady Knights, committed back-to-back net infractions.
Minster would win the next point, with Crestview making a substitution. Crestview would bring it to 13-7, before a LONG rally between the teams, which had multiple digs and saves. The Lady Wildcats would win this point, and the fans from both teams applauded the efforts of the ladies.
Minster would get the score up to 17-11, before the Lady Knights would get rallies of 3 straight and 4 straight, to make it 19-18, and force the Lady Wildcats to call a timeout. Once again, the teams would trade points, as an ACE by the Knights would tie it up at 22-22, and Minster would call its final timeout. It would be for naught, as the Lady Knights would win the last 3 straight points and win the 2nd set 25-22.
The Lady Knights would start off the 3rd set with 3 straight points, forcing Minster to call an early timeout. The Lady Wildcats would score 2 straight coming out of the break.
The Lady Knights answered right back with 5 straight points of their own, making it a 9-2 lead. Both teams would trade points and small 2 point rallies, before Minster called their last timeout down 15-7.
The break would work for them, as they scored 4 straight points, forcing Crestview to call a timeout with a 15-7 lead. The Lady Wildcats would never recover, and they would eventually lose the 3rd and final set 25-18, for a straight sets victory.
It is the first win of the season for the Lady Knights, who are now 1-2.
After the game, I spoke to Crestview Lady Knights head Coach Tammy Gregory.
I asked her how she and the team felt, to finally get that first win of the season.
“It feels good. It was really good for our confidence. You look at our schedule, and we face a state ranked team in Coldwater on Tuesday, and we played with a lot of confidence tonight”.
I asked her about the rallies by both teams. What she says to the girls, when those momentum swings happen.
“We practice those a lot actually. we know there are a couple of rotations that we struggle with more than others. It’ll be the same thing with every team we face. We just got to practice, and we’ll get that trust, and it’ll pop, and come up looking great”.
Leading the way for the Lady Knights…
Serving
Kaci Gregory 11/11 with 1 ace
Delanie Balliet 10/10 with 1 ace
Ayla Kreischer 14/15 with 2 aces
Kenadie Schwartz 17/18 with 1 ace
Hitting
Kaci Gregory 13 kills
Alecta Baxter & Kaylee Owens 5 kills each
Ayla Kreischer & Kenadie Schwartz 4 kills each
Setting
Nora Perkins 17 assists
Kinley Crider 8 assists
Digs
Ayla Kreischer 12 digs
Kaci Gregory 10 digs
Blocks
Alecta Baxter, Kaylee Owens, Kenadie Schwartz 2 stuff blocks each
The Lady Knights have a quick turnaround, as they return to action tomorrow night at Coldwater, with JV starting things off at 5:30 PM.
It was a warm Saturday morning, on the final weekend in August, and the Crestview Knights were taking on the Minster Wildcats, in their home opener of the 2026 season.
The Wildcats opened the game with the football, and after getting to a 3rd and 5, they connected on a 12 yard pass to convert.
A snap infraction penalty, had them behind the chains with 1st and 15. They ran a QB keeper and erased it all, with a 15 yard run. After an incomplete pass, another QB keeper run, took them all the way down to the 7 yardline.
Knights LB Noah Mosier would get a big TFL (tackle for loss), for a 3 yard loss on first down. Minster couldn’t capitalize on the field position, turning it over on downs.
Crestview would start their first drive at the 7 yardline. They get a 6 yard run, a pass to WR Wesley Wilt, and a 12 yard QB scramble. A holding penalty would erase a pass and make it 1st and 14. A quick 5 yard run, would make it 3rd and 8. A QB scramble converted for a first down. Minster would get an encroachment penalty, making it 1st and 5. An incomplete pass on 2nd down, would end the first quarter, with both teams knotted at 0-0.
The second quarter starts with a quick pass for no gain and a -4 yard run, would have the Knights staring at 4th and 9. They’d fail to convert the pass, and like Minster on their first drive of the game, turn the ball over on downs.
A QB keeper (they ran this play a lot in this game) for 2 yards on first down. They hit a 12 yard pass on 2nd down to convert. Another QB keeper, but they’d be stopped in the backfield by a host of Knights for a 1 yard loss, to make it 2nd and 11. A 6 yard pass would make it 3rd and 5. The Wildcats would connect on a slant pass and they’d take it to the house, for the first touchdown of the game. The PAT was blocked, and Minster had a 6-0 lead with 4:53 left in the first half.
Crestview would get a big gain on a reverse, but it would be called back by a holding penalty. An incomplete pass on 2nd down, made it 3rd and 14. The Knights would hit a 30 yard pass downfield, and now had a 1st and down at the 39 yardline.
A 4 yard run and a 3 yard pass would make it 3rd and 7. The Wildcats would get a big sack by #32, to make it a long 4th and 12. The Knights would call a timeout to take about it, with 1:10 seconds in the first half.
Crestview QB #15 Calin Baliet would break a few tackles and run for a hard 12 yards, and convert the first down. He’d throw an INT on the next play. Minster fumbled the football on the recovery, however, an inadvertent whistle blew the play dead. Minster would throw 3 straight incompletions to end the first half, with a 6-0 lead.
Crestview would get the ball to start the second half, and immediately go three and out. Minster would get the ball at the 33 yardline. A QB keeper for 6, and short run for 2, made it 3rd and 2. Another keeper would pick the first down. Back to back short runs, and an incomplete pass made it 4th and 4. The Wildcats would miss on a pass, and once again, turn it over on downs with 3:46 left in the third quarter.
The Knights would get a 4 yard run of first down, before a bad snap would lead to a 4 yard loss on 2nd down.
Snapping has been a serious problem for the Knights at both the JV and Varsity level the last 2 seasons.
Wildcat DL #68 would get the sack on third down. Another high snap on the punt, but Minster run “punt safe”, so it got off safely, all the way down to the 29 yardline.
Minster would get a false start penalty, and start with a 1st and 15. 3 straight incomplete passes, and they’d punt the ball right back.
The Knights would get run for -3 yards to end the 3rd quarter, trailing 6-0.
On 2nd and 13, Knights QB #15 Calin Baliet would hit #7 Bladin Scott, and he’d take it all the way for a Crestview touchdown. The PAT was good, and the Knights had their first lead of the game, 7-6, with 8:49 left in the game.
Minster would get the football at the 35 yardline. Runs of 7 and 2, had them at 3rd and 1. They get a short run for the first down. The Wildcats would then connect on a long pass, all the way down to the Knights 7 yardline for a 1st and goal.
A QB keeper for 6 yards, got them down to the 1 yardline. The Wildcats would call a timeout, with 4:35 left in the game. They’d run another QB keeper, and end up losing 2 yards. Now they were staring at a 3rd and goal from the 3.
They’d go back to the QB keeper well again, and they’d punch it in for a touchdown. The 2-pt conversion was good, and they had a 14-6 lead with 3:38 left in the game.
Minster scores their 2nd touchdown of the game, late in the 4th quarter.
Crestview would throw an INT on the very first play of their possession. Minster would start at the 46 yardline, and get no gain on first down. They’d run for 17 yards, and then they would fumble the football on the next play, with the Knights recovering.
The Knights would get a pass for no gain on first down. On second down, they’d get a 10 yard pass, and move the chains. QB Calin Baliet would then throw his 2nd interception of the game on the next play.
Minster would start at the 38 yardline. A host of Knights would stop them for a 5 yard loss on first down, and Crestview would call a timeout. Minster would run for 5 yards to make it 3rd and 10, and Crestview would call their final timeout of the half.
The Wildcats would hit a 10 yard pass for first down, to seal a hard fought 14-6 victory.
Walking into the hallway of Crestview, I was immediately greeted by the smell of popcorn and pizza. Which was such a kick in the pants, since my doctors put me on a strict diet. LOL.
Kids were running around the hallway, full of energy adults wish they had. Parents chatting like they hadn’t seen each other since…. Friday night’s football game.
The Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball team were opening their season at home, against the Paulding Panthers, in a non-conference game.
With the high school gymnasium under renovation until late September, the games are being played in the middle school. Despite that, it was a full house. Old and young, even some former players stopped by for the game.
The Lady Panthers went up quickly 3-0 in the first set, and didn’t let up at all, winning it easily, 25-13.
The second set started with both teams at one point apiece, when the floor official stopped play, called both of the team captains over to him, and had some words. There was a lot of net entanglements, and a small bit of chatter.
Afterwards, the teams traded points back and forth. Crestview scored 3 straight points, before Paulding called a timeout down 13-11. They continued to trade points, until Crestview called at timeout, up 19-18. The Lady Knights would end up winning the 2nd set 25-23.
The Panthers would jump out to a 6-0 lead, forcing Knights head coach Tammy Gregory to call a timeout early.
The two huddles were completely different. Gregory was calmly coaching her girls, using her hands to show proper bump techniques and overhands.
Panthers head coach Emily Taylor was enthusiastic and praising her girls for such a hot start.
Unfortunately, for the Lady Knights, the timeout did not stop the momentum right away, as the Lady Panthers promptly made it a 13-2 game. Finally, Crestview would go on their own run, as they’d score 6 straight points, forcing a Panthers timeout.
The Knights would get the score to 16-13, before Paulding would play the Reverse Uno card, and rattle off 4 straight to make it 20-16. Nothing would work for the Knights afterwards, dropping the 3rd set 25-16.
The 4th set would start off with more point trading. The Lady Knights would win a long rally, where both teams showed off tremendous athleticism and stamina, to make it a 3-3 score.
Paulding would win the next point and never let up the rest of the way.
Crestview made it close a few times, cutting the lead to 13-12, 18-16, and 20-17. The Panthers were simply too relentless. Scoring the final 5 points and winning the match 25-17.
I spoke to Crestview Head Coach Tammy Gregory after the game. I asked her what positives, she and the team could take away from the loss.
“We were at a size disadvantage. We were struggling with their size and aggressive attacks. I’m going to go to that third game of the match. You know, we were down, and we could’ve folded very easily, but we fought back.”
There are only 2 seniors on this team. However, a lot of the underclassman, got significant playing time last season. I asked if she expected their continued improvement to really help the team as the season continues.
“I think they’re going to step into their roles very well. What I like about this team, is they have good mentorship and they’re competitors. They have that team chemistry, their drive, and they’re there for each other. They’re going to get better, and they have the drive for that work.”
Leading the way for the Lady Knights…
Serving
Kaci Gregory 13/14 with 2 aces
Lainey Gardner 11/12 with 1 ace
Nora Perkins 10/11 with 1 ace
Ayla Kreischer 10/11 with 1 ace
Hitting
Kaci Gregory 16 kills
Kenadie Schwartz 8 kills
Ayla Kreischer 7 kills
Setting
Nora Perkins 30 assists
Digs
Kaci Gregory 12 digs
Ayla Kreischer 8 digs
Nora Perkins 6 digs
Blocks
Kaylee Owens 2 blocks
Kenadie Schwartz 2 blocks
The Crestview Lady Knights are back on the court this Thursday, as they travel to New Bremen, in another non-conference matchup.
It seemed like a long winter, spring, and summer. After weeks of practicing against your own guys for summer camp, and two scrimmages, it was finally football season again, in the small town of Convoy, Ohio.
Coming in through the north gate, you smell the buttery goodness of popcorn. The Deja Brew coffee truck was making sure to keep you awake and alert. The Knight Pride Club was selling design your own custom tumblers.
Parents were catching up with other parents about summer break, how the team looked, how well they think they would be this season.
The Paulding Panthers won the toss and received the ball to start the game. HB #23 Cooper had a 16-yard run on the opening play, then a 25-yard run of the third play of the drive. Knights DL #1 Beckham Putman would put an end to the drive with a sack on 4th down.
The Knights first drive would end in a three and out, after Panthers #23 would sack QB #9 Cooper Miller for a ten-yard loss on third down.
Both teams would have three and outs on their next possessions.
The Knights would have a bad snap on the punt. Snapping was a big problem for the Knights last season, and it continued not just here, but the whole game.
A defensive face mask penalty would put Paulding at the 2-yard line. An incomplete pass, then the Panthers would call timeout with 1:53 left in the first quarter. Paulding would score a touchdown, but it was negated by an offensive pass interference call, making it now 3rd and goal from the 19-yard line.
The Panthers would drop a pass, and now had a long 4th and goal. They’d use their second timeout with 1:42 left. Knights DB #3 Jacoby Gallimore would break up the pass in the endzone, ending the drive.
Once again, the Crestview offense couldn’t get anything going at all, and had their third straight drive stall, without a first down. That would end the first quarter, with the score knotted up at 0-0.
The Panthers next drive would end with a Knights INT by #4 Hayden Waltmire. Crestview would take over at the 25-yard line. An encroachment penalty would give the Knights a quick five yards, and make it first and ten. After no gain on first, QB Cooper Miller would hit #24 Harper Perrott for a 20-yard gain. The very next play, the Knights would fumble the ball, and the Panthers would recover at the 46-yard line.
Paulding would have four straight runs of -1, 6, 6, and 13 yards, to get the ball to the 30. The Knights would get flagged for defensive pass interference, and that would give them a first and goal at the 7. Losses would send them back to the 19, before Panthers HB #23 Avery Cooper would score a TD on a 19-yard run. PAT was no good, and Paulding had a 6-0 lead with 5:22 left in the 2nd quarter.
Knights QB #9 Cooper Miller would fumble the football on second down. The Panthers would give it back, the very next play, as Crestview LB #14 Tate Lichtensteiger would recover a Paulding fumble.
After a 1-yard run, the Panthers would get hit with another encroachment penalty. Back-to-back runs would give the Knights a first down. The Knights would connect on a 11-yard pass on first down. A holding penalty would put Crestview behind the chains on first down. Incomplete pass on first down, then Miller would throw an INT, which was returned to the 32-yard line.
Paulding would take a 12-0 lead with this TD pass from Ridge Hunt to Jason Manz.
The Panthers would hit a 13-yard pass on first down to the 19. A 2-yard run and, then hit a pass all the way down to the Knights 2. Crestview would get a TFL (tackle for loss). Paulding would use their final timeout with 36 seconds left in the first half. They’d connect with 5-yard TD pass from Ridge Hunt to Jason Manz. The 2-pt attempt was no good, and the Panthers took a 12-0 lead, into the half.
Knights WR #8 Cash Hammons would take the 2nd half kickoff back 68 yards, to the 19-yard line. That would be the highlight. A 4-yard run, a Panthers TFL, incomplete pass, and an 8-yard pass on 4th down, would end the Crestview drive.
Paulding would take over, but a very angry Knights HC Cole Harting would have to call a timeout, as the defense was confused and not set. Crestview would get a TFL, but the Panthers responded with back-to-back passes of 12 and 10 yards. That momentum was short lived, as a holding call on Paulding would back them up 10 yards, making it 1st and 18 at the 24. Two straight incomplete passes ended the drive.
Crestview would get runs of 3 yards, 5 yards, and 2 yards, for a first down.
OHSAA officials would botch would should’ve been a Knights TD pass, instead, calling it a fumble and touchback (it literally happened it front of me, as I was less than 10 feet away from the play).
The lucky break gave the Panthers the ball at the 20-yard line. A quick pass for 11 yards to the 31, followed by runs of 8 yards, 9 yards, and 8 yards, had them rolling with momentum. There was an official’s timeout (I was never told why, even when I asked them after the game). A Knights TFL made it third and long. Paulding would get a 20-yard run to convert.
An incomplete pass, then runs of 8 yards and 1 yard, brought them to a fourth down and 1. Paulding would call a timeout to discuss strategy with 2:23 left in the third quarter. The strategy did not work, as an incomplete pass lead to a turnover on downs with 2:17 left.
Once again, the Knights offense couldn’t do anything, and they were barely able to get the punt away, after their 2nd bad snap of the special teams.
The Panthers took over at the 38-yard line. An incomplete pass on first down, then a long run all the way down to the 34. A 24-yard pass had Paulding quickly down to the 10-yard line. Runs of 6 yards and 1 yard, then an incomplete pass, made it another fourth down. Panthers called another timeout with 11:08 in the 4th.
Knights DE #66 Will Sheets got a tipped INT, and returned it all the way to the 45 yard line.
Another Miller incompletion was followed by a Knights timeout with 10:47 left.
They’d get a short 5-yard gain, before QB Cooper Miller would hit WR Cash Hammons for a 40-yard TD pass. The PAT was no good, and the Knights were on the board, but trailing 12-6 with 10:02 left in the game.
Another special teams blunder by the Knights, as the kickoff went out of bounds, giving Paulding the ball at the 35-yard line. Back-to-back runs would quickly have the Panthers to the 47-yard line. Knights DE Will Sheets would get a 5-yard TFL, to make it a long third down and 12. A short run made it fourth down.
The Knights would make their 4th special teams mistake, by running into the punter, for a 5-yard penalty. The Panthers would run a fake punt and convert. Knights DB #23 Wesley Wit would get a 4-yard TFL. An incomplete pass would force a third down, and Paulding would use their final timeout with 6:03 left in the game. The fourth down attempt was incomplete, and they’d turn it over on downs.
Crestview would have a run of 0 yards, and an incomplete pass, before Cooper Miller would hit WR Beau Lichtensteiger all the way down to the 40. HB #22 Evan Brincefield would run for 14 yards on second down, and follow it up with a 10 yard run the next play, to the 30. A 17-yard pass on second down, made it first, but the Knights had another holding penalty.
Knights QB Cooper Miller would throw his second INT of the game, as Panthers CB #4 Emmet Barnes would return it 80 yards for a pick-six TD. The PAT was again, no good, and that would be the final score of the game, giving the Paulding Panthers a 18-6 victory.
The Crestview Knights leading stats
QB Cooper Miller was 10 of 22 for 180 yards 1 TD and 2 INTs. WR Beau Lichtensteiger had 4 catches for 96 yards. HB Evin Brincefield had 15 carries for 63 yards.
I spoke to Crestview Knights Head Coach Cole Harting after the game.
I asked him what positives he could take away from this loss.
“That’s a really good offense, and we held our own. Holding those guys to only 12 points on offense, was a really good job, and I thought our defense did a great job. If we were to play that game again, and held them to 12 points, I’d be happy. We limited a lot of their big plays. Unfortunately, our offense turned the ball to many times, and gave them a lot of short fields. We can’t do that. If we want to win games, we can’t turn the ball over”.
I asked him about Junior QB Cooper Millers’ first start.
“He’s just got to play with confidence. Things didn’t go well in that first half. Things didn’t go his way early on, and he struggled to overcome those. They have a really talented secondary, so he’s just got to stay positive and keep working at it, and just play with a little bit more confidence”.
I asked about how well the defensive line held up, made plays, giving the young secondary time to grow.
“Absolutely. Having those guys up front, just creating havoc every single play. I wanted to create pressure with three or four guys, and we were able to do that consistently”.
The Crestview Knights (0-1) are on the road to take on the Minster Wildcats (1-0) on Friday Night.
After what has seemed like a long, long, spring and summer, us college football fans, can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We are all still in a sense of disbelief, that the historically worst team in college football, the Indiana Hoosiers, won the College Football National Championship.
While “recruiting battles” and keeping up with the all the coaching changes kept our appetites wet, there is nothing like seeing them clash on the field.
I could hem and haw about all the new changes in the offseason, but, I’m going to get right to the meat of the matter (go back and read my articles).
So, without further ado, here are my college football season predictions.
1) Who will win the ACC, B12, B10 and SEC?
NIL (name, image, and likeness), has stopped the SEC from cheating (which a lot of former players openly admit now) and has now leveled the playing field. Hence, we have Indiana winning the Natty.
It makes the conferences deeper than ever before. We no longer just have Alabama and Georgia in the SEC. Ohio State and Michigan and the B10.
I’ll start with the ACC, and let’s be honest here. It’s the Miami Hurricanes. They avoid the other Top 2 contenders (SMU and Louisville) in the regular season. Unless something catastrophic happens, I expect them to finish conference play undefeated.
The most fun conference to watch every season, is by far the Big-12. Why you ask? Because they’ve had 5 different conference champions in the last 5 season. You never know who is going to win, and that makes it fun.
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All the “experts” on ESPN, or as us fans call them, E(SEC)PN, are picking the Texas Tech Red Raiders to win back-to-back conference titles. While it’s possible, it’s certainly NOT a given. They do miss out on having to play BYU, and they do get Houston at home (Sept 18th at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX). They lost a lot of production at quarterback and on defense. Projected QB starter Will Hammond is coming off an ACL, that he suffered in October last year.
The BYU Cougars and Houston Cougars, are returning their starting QBs, in Bear Bachmeier and Conner Weigman. Both the Cougar teams are returning the majority of their defensive starters from last season as well.
Ultimately, I think Texas Tech makes it back-to-back, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they don’t.
It’s an absolute crapshoot in the Big-10. Almost everyone is picking the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, or the Indiana Hoosiers. However, do not count out the USC Trojans.
They return starting QB Jordan Maiava, HB King Miller, and all five starters along their offensive line. Five players return on defense as well. They schedule did them no favors though. They have Oregon (Sept 28th) and Ohio State (Oct 31st) at home, and travel to Indiana (Nov 14th). Do not be shocked if USC wins 2 of these games and make it to Indianapolis.
At the end of it all, I think it’ll come down to the Buckeyes and Ducks. I think Ohio State beats Oregon on November 7th in Columbus, but the Ducks clip them in the Big-10 Championship Game, to win conference title.
Down in the SEC, the most talented team is the Texas Longhorns. They avoid Georgia and Alabama in the regular season. They get Ole Miss at home (Oct 24th) and ARE going to get revenge, and just clobber Florida at home (Oct 17th). They do have to travel to Texas A&M to finish the regular season (Nov 27th). I think if they can avoid injuries, they’ll win the conference.
However, you can never count out the Georgia Bulldogs, and do not sleep on Mike Elko and Texas A&M. The Aggies return starting QB Marcel Reed. If her can cut down on his 12 INTs, they’ll give Alabama (Oct 24th) and Texas (Nov 27th) a very serious scare.
2) Notre Dame will finish inside the Top 4.
Yes, I know that Notre Dame lost their top 2 running backs from last season in Jeremiyah Love (3rd overall pick) and Jadarian Price (32nd overall), but, CJ Carr returning at quarterback, after an impressive freshman season (2,741 yards, with 24 TDs and 6 INTs).
The Irish went out and got former Ohio State WRs Quincy Porter and Myles Graham in the transfer portal to give him weapons on the perimeter and offset the loss of the running game. Three offensive lineman return, and Notre Dame always has good tight ends.
They return 7 starters on defense, including quite possibly the best CB tandem in all of college football (Leonard Moore and Christian Gray), and All-American S Tae Johnson. It’s going to be a nightmare throw against them.
They also used the portal to get better along the defensive line, pairing newcomers DE Keon Keeley (Alabama), DT Francis Brewu (Pitt), and DT Tione Gray (Oregon), with returning starters DE Boubacar Traore and DT Jason Onye.
They two toughest games are at home, against the Miami Hurricanes (Now 7th) and SMU (Nov 21st). They do travel to play the always sneaky tough BYU (Oct 17th). Other than that, their schedule is easy.
I fully expect them to be 11-1 or even 12-0 at the end of the season.
3) Boise State will be the lone Group of 6 school in the College Football Playoffs.
Last year the College Football Playoff Committee put 2 Group of Five schools in the playoff, and it went absolutely terrible with blowout losses, with Oregon beating James Madison 51-34, and Ole Miss beating Tulane 41-10.
They’ve learned their lesson. It won’t happen again.
Boise State is the best team in the newly reformed Pac-12 and all the Group of 6 schools (Pac-12, Mountain West, Conference USA, MAC, American Athletic, and Sun Belt).
Starting quarterback Maddux Madsen returns after throwing for 2,334 yards with 18 TDs and 9 INTs. HB Duke Riley is also returning after turning down multiple offers from P4 teams. He ran for 1,125 yards and 10 TDs. They return 3 starters along the offensive line (C, RG, RT).
They return 3 of 4 starters on the defensive line, for a defense that finished ranked 39th best overall in the country last season. They are going to rely heavily on them, as the “back 7” only returns 2 starters, in LB Boen Phelps and CB Jaden Mickey.
The Broncos have an incredibly tough game to open the season, against the Oregon Ducks (Sept 9th, at 3:30 PM (EST) on CBS).
Their toughest conference games, are all at home (Utah State on Oct 3rd, Texas State on Oct 31st, and San Diego State on Nov 21st) as well.
4) The 1st Head Coach to be fired will be…..
With all the off the field distractions going on with Head Coach Bill Belichicks’ personal life, now GM Mike Lombardi and DC Steve Belichick have been suspended, with an external investigations ongoing, he’s already on the hot seat.
They open their schedule against 5 teams that made a bowl game appearance, in their first 6 games.
I am predicting the Tar Heels only win will be against East Tennessee State (Sept 12th), and he’ll be fired before Oct 24th game at home against Syracuse.
OC Bobby Petrino will take over and lead them to wins over Syracuse, UConn, and an upset win over Virigina.
5) Who will make the College Football Playoffs.
First Round Byes
Oregon Ducks Texas Longhorns Miami Hurricanes Norte Dame Fighting Irish
First Round Games
#12 Boise State at #5 Ohio State. #11 Indiana at #6 Texas Tech. #10 Ole Miss at #7 Georgia. #9 USC at #8 Texas A&M.
Quarter-final Games
#5 Ohio State vs #4 Notre Dame. #9 USC vs #1 Oregon. #11 Indiana vs #3 Miami. #7 Georgia vs #2 Texas.
Semi-Final Games
#5 Ohio State vs #1 Oregon. #3 Miami vs #2 Texas.
National Championship Game
#5 Ohio State vs #2 Texas.
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National Champion
Ohio State wins their 2nd national championship in 3 years, when they go on a similar run, as they did in 2024.
What are your predictions for the upcoming college football season?
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of….. ESPN, NCAA, and Lindy’s.
