The sun was starting its’ descent in the small town of Convoy, Ohio. A horizontal streak of orange lay across the top of the school to the west. The air was choked with the smell of burgers and brats, that assaulted your nose, and made your mouth water, as the Knights Pride Club had another fund raiser for the student-athletes.
The slight breeze and the warmth, shone brightly onto the football field. The stadium filled with children running and laughing. On the grass of the gridiron, parents stood with their kids, talking and reminiscing about treasured memories, as they were introduced and celebrated, one last time, as it was Senior Night,
Unfortunately for the Knights, the pregame festivities would be as good as it was to be on this night.
Just 56 seconds into the game, Pirates HB Parker Lovell would score his 1st of 4 touchdowns in the game from 4 yards out. He’d run another in from 3 yards out, and QB Tayte Giesige would hit WR Blayne Hill on a 40 yard TD pass, to put the #7th ranked Pirates up 21-0 after the 1st quarter.
The Pirates would jump out to a massive 34 – 0 lead, behind a fast and physical defense. Crestview’s offensive line, just didn’t seem to have an answer for the blitz packages, as I heard multiple players tell the coaches.
The Knights would finally get on the board with a 32 yard TD pass from Cash Hammons to Beau Lichtensteiger, with :34 seconds left in the 1st half. The PAT (point after touchdown) was blocked, but at least they didn’t get shutout, and were on the board 34-6. They’d end the first half on a high note. Not just with the TD, but the final play was a much need QB sack, by DL #55 Kale Lichtensteiger and DL #1 Beckam Putman.
That momentum would carry over into the 2nd half. The Knights received the kickoff. They’d get a Pirates 15 yard facemask penalty on a 2nd and 6. They’d connect on a 33 yard pass on a 3rd and 11. Once again, they’d hit another big pass, this time for 29 yards.
A 3 yard run, followed by an 11 yard pass, would get them down to them a 1st and Goal from the 7 yardline.
QB Cash Hammons would scamper in for another Knights TD. They’d miss the 2 point attempt was no good, but it was now a 34-12 game, with 9:21 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Bluffton Pirates are the #7th ranked in Division 5 for a reason. They would immediately squash all that momentum by the Knights, by scoring 2 TDs in a matter of 4 minutes.
QB Giesige would hit WR Blayne Hill for their 2nd TD of the night, this time from 52 yards out. Lovells’ final TD of the game (4 yard run) and it was 49 – 12 to end the 3rd quarter, as well as the final score of the game.
Knights Junior QB Cash Hammons went 16 of 28 for 168 yards, with 1 passing TD, and 1 INT (which was an uncalled DPI), and had 13 carries for 33 yards and 1 TD.
Freshman WR Beau Lichtensteiger had 10 catches for 115 yards and 1 TD.
4 different Knights, led the team with 5 total tackles.
I spoke to Knights head coach Cole Harting after the game.
“Well, we wanted to come in and limit their big plays. Make them earn every drive. Unfortunately, at the beginning they got some easy ones and had a few short drives. We’ve got to do a better job tackling and making those type of plays, when we have the opportunity to do so.”
I asked him, what positives he and the staff could take away from this loss?
“A big positive is that Cash came in and gave us a lot of really good stuff back there at quarterback. He showed a surprising ability to come in and command the offense.”
I asked Coach Harting about Hammons ability to run, and how it limited the Pirates ability to blitz in the 2nd half.
“Absolutely. Cash brings some size and playmaking ability to extend plays, that we didn’t have before. He did a really good job of keeping his eyes downfield. These were his very first snaps he’s ever played at quarterback in a live game. We’re very proud of the way he played tonight.
The defense was able to bat a few balls out of the air. Which was something that I rarely saw this season, covering the Knights.
“We’re blessed to have 2 defensive ends with really good size at 6’5″. They were able to get their hands up and if those passes aren’t up, they’re going to be able to effect those throwing lanes.”
The Knights are now 2-6 overall, and 2-3 in the Northwest Conference.
They play their final home game of the season, next Friday against state ranked Columbus Grove, at 7:00 PM (EST).
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..Chris Lutz.
