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Tag: rivalry

  • 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.

  • Top 3 College Football Games to watch for Week 3.

    A collage of various college football team logos arranged in a grid format, featuring teams from different universities.

    Week 3 of the college football season, officially starts on Thursday night, when North Carolina State (2-0) travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0).

    There is a nice mixture of rivalry games was well as in-conference games this week.

    The “money games” (The Ohio State Buckeyes are paying the Ohio Bobcats $1.9 million dollars to play in Columbus) are starting to come an end. THANK YOU!!!

    Let’s be honest, how many times we can watch a “directional school” lose to a P4 team 70-0. It just gets old, real fast.

    One of the WORST games coming up this week is the Oregon Ducks (2-0) going to Evanston, Illinois to take on the Northwestern Wildcats (1-1), on FOX as it’s “Big Noon Saturday”.

    It’s going to be an absolute mud stomping.

    Here are the Top 3 games you should watch for Week 3.

    1) #16 Texas A&M Aggies at #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
    Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on NBC.

    The undefeated Aggies are looking to come into South Bend, and keep the Fighting Irish winless.

    Last year’s game in College Station saw the Aggies blow a 13-6 lead in the fourth quarter, as Notre Dame got the win 23-13.

    These two teams are completely different, as the Irish are starting CJ Carr at QB, and HB Jeremiyah Love is looking to improve on his 10 carries for only 33 yards in Week 1.

    Aggies sophomore QB Marcel Reed has thrown for 7 TDs to 0 INTs, and he’s the teams leading rusher with 105 yards.

    If Notre Dame loses, thier road to the college football playoffs is basically gone.

    Prediction – Aggies get revenge 28-24.

    2) #6 Georgia Bulldogs at #15 Tennessee Volunteers.
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Graphic featuring the logos of the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers with a football theme and stadium background.

    The Bulldogs have won 8 straight games in this rivalry, only 1 win away from tying the longest winning streak. Currently at 9, held by Tennessee (1989-1999).

    Georgia is looking to get back to Bulldogs football, which is a great defense and strong running game. They’ve got 429 yards rushing through 2 games.

    Head coach Josh Heupel and his Tennessee offense is at it’s best with a good running game and play action pass. They have run for 505 yards and 7 TDs through 2 games.

    Appalachian State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar will face the biggest test of his college football career so far. He’s thrown for 535 yards with 5 TDs and 0 INTs for the Volunteers.

    Prediction – Make it 9 straight, in close game 31-28.

    3) Pittsburgh Panthers at West Virginia Mountaineers.
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.

    Graphic featuring football helmets of the Pittsburgh Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers with the title 'BACKYARD BRAWL' in bold letters.

    The 108th Backyard Brawl.

    Nothing like old-school, smashmouth, pure hatred rivalry.

    This game always means a lot, and even moreso this season, as West Virginia is coming off a bad loss to the Ohio Bobcats in Week 2.

    They need better from junior quarterbak Nicco Marchiol. Only 1 passing TD through 2 games is simply not good enough.

    Their defense has played great so far, with 7 sacks, 3 INTs, and 3 forced fumbles.

    The Panthers are 2-0, and led by sophomore quarterback Eli Holstein. He’s thrown for 519 yards, with 8 TDs and only 2 INTs in two games.

    The defense gets after the opposing quarterback consistently, with 8 sacks on the season.

    Prediction – Pittsburgh makes it 2 straight wins 24-21.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, IrishFootballRant, clutchpoints, wvsportsnow.

  • Knights Take on Raiders, in County Rivalry Game.

    A group of four high school girls dressed in patriotic attire, smiling and posing together at a football game. They are wearing colorful hats and accessories, celebrating military appreciation night.

    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.

    Crestview Knights football player celebrating on the field during a game at sunset.

    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.

    A high school football player in camo jersey is tackled by an opponent during a game.

    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?

    A football player from the Crestview Knights team tackles an opposing player from the Wayne Trace Raiders during a high school football game under a setting sun.

    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).

    A group of cheerleaders in Crestview Knights athletic attire, posing on the sidelines of a football field, with a crowd in the background.

    – by Sean McKenzie.

    Stats courtesy of …..Chris Lutz.

    Pictures courtesy of…..Richardson Photography.

  • The 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 2.

    A collage of various college football team logos displayed in a grid format with colorful backgrounds.

    Week 2 of the college football season is here. While we all know that most of the games this week are “money games”, there are still a few games, that have serious meaning for not just the upcoming season, but potentially, for the college football playoff picture.

    So here are the 3 most important games to watch this weekend.

    1) #11 Illinois Fighting Illini at Duke Blue Devils.
    Game starts at Noon (EST) on ESPN.

    Collage of college football players and coaches featuring Illinois' quarterback Luke Altmeyer, Duke's quarterback Darian Mensah, and coach Bret Bielema.

    The Fighting Illini are highly ranked and return their best players in starting quarterback Luke Altmeyer, and linebacker Gabe Jacas. Both performed well in their Week 1 win over WIU.

    They need junior running back Aidan Laughery to have another 100-yard game, and keep the Duke offense, off the field.

    Illinois is a popular “sleeper team” in the Big Ten. They must win games these non-conference games, as their conference schedule starts off tough.

    Blue Devils starting quarterback Darian Mensah transferred in from Tulane and made a big impact in Week 1. The sophomore went 27 of 34, for 389 yards, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs. He’ll need to keep that momentum going, because the run game is lacking.

    Prediction – Illinois wins 35-28.

    2) #15 Michigan Wolverines at #18 Oklahoma Sooners.
    Games starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Collage featuring college football coaches and players, with two footballs in the foreground.

    This is only the 2nd time these two rich and storied programs have ever met.

    This game is all about the tale of two different quarterbacks.

    Michigan is starting a true freshman in Bryce Underwood in his first “true road test”. He looked OK, in his first start last week, going 21 of 31, for 251 yards, with 1 TD.

    Oklahoma is trotting out a veteran transfer in junior John Mateer. He looked great in his Sooner debut, going 30 of 37, for 392 yards, with 3 TDs and 1 INT.

    Both teams need this win, to break the absolute stink of last season off their skins.

    I think homefield and crowd noise is going to play a big part early in this game. It’s hard to play on the road in college football, and Norman is going to be rocking.

    Prediction – Oklahoma wins 28-17.

    3) Iowa Hawkeyes at #16 Iowa State Cyclones.
    Game starts at Noon (EST) on FOX.

    A composite image featuring three individuals: a quarterback in a red Iowa State jersey, a quarterback in a black Iowa Hawkeyes jersey holding a football, and a coach smiling in a black cap, representing the rivalry between Iowa State and Iowa.

    Nothing like an early season rivalry game to get the juices flowing.

    The Cy-Hawk Trophy Game was started in 1977 by fans, after these two football teams didn’t play for 43 years.

    It is one of my favorite rivalry games and trophies.

    We all know that the Iowa Hawkeyes seem to be allergic to the passing game. They really on defense and running the football. They ran for 310 total yards in their Week 1 victory, and will absolutely need to do the same thing again. Their defense is always gap sound, and they don’t miss tackles. Senior kicker Drew Stevens nailed a 55-yarder last week, and that’s a great weapon to have.

    Iowa State is led by redshirt junior Rocco Becht. He’s a three-year starter for the Cyclones. He’s a gritty and tough quarterback, who has proven he knows how to win big games. Through two games this season, he’s gone 33 of 48, for 461 yards, and 5 TDs and 0 INTs.

    Iowa leads the series 47-24, but Iowa State won the trophy last year in a gritty 20-19 game. The Cyclones have won 2 of the last 3 games.

    Prediction – Cyclones make it 2 straight wins with a 27-24 victory.

    A close-up of a trophy featuring a football player statue on top, labeled 'The Cy-Hawk Trophy', held by hands in a cheering crowd.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, profootballnetwork, clutchpoints, and sportsgrid.

  • Houses divided in high school football showdown.

    Flags representing the Van Wert Cougars and Crestview Knights football teams are displayed on a grassy lawn, signaling community support for the local high school rivalry.

    Van Wert County, Ohio is a rural county with strong agricultural roots. Only 1% of the counties 410 square miles has been deemed “urban”. The Lincoln Highway Byway is a beautiful driving route, with many land markers and stops along the way. America’s very first free public county library was built here (Brumback Library). The Van Wert County courthouse, built in 1876, is a Gothic and Romanesque architectural marvel. I’ve visited multiple times.

    There is strong community support and spirit in the towns that dot the landscape. People greet each other by name. Know your family and help neighbors out in times of need.

    There’s only one thing that could divide families, and put friendships on hold for a few hours, and that is high school football.

    The two predominate football teams in Van Wert County are the Van Wert Cougars.

    Football players in red uniforms practicing on a green field under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

    and the Crestview Knights.

    High school football players in practice jerseys gather on the field under a clear blue sky, with trees and a scoreboard in the background.

    Parents and children are often related to someone from the other team. Friendships formed from youth sports, church events, pancake breakfasts, and other community events.

    So for that brief moment in time, when the helmets are put on. The chin straps are snapped on, and pads start popping, the trash talking starts. On this hot and clear, but beautiful summer evening, the friendly chirping was aplenty.

    Knight Pride vs Cougar Pride.

    A group of football players in blue and red uniforms huddled together on a grassy field, discussing strategies during a practice scrimmage.

    The 2025 football scrimmage game had both teams looking to clean some things up, lingering over from summer practice. Both teams hoping that this would be the start, of a return to the playoffs.

    The varsity starters played an entire first half of football.

    A high school football game in Van Wert County, Ohio, showing players in red and blue uniforms lined up at the line of scrimmage on a sunny day.

    On the first play, Knights HB Braxton Leeth busted through the middle for a 15-yard run. but it was to be short lived, as the Knights fumbled the football on the very next play.

    The Cougars couldn’t capitalize, as the Knights stopped them on a 4th down attempt.

    Van Wert QB #15, sophomore Zach Crummey missed a throw, to a wide-open receiver, that would’ve been a touchdown on Van Wert’s fourth offensive drive.

    A high school football scrimmage in Van Wert County, Ohio, with players from two teams lined up on the field. The scene shows a clear blue sky, green grass, and the scoreboard in the background.

    The defenses ruled, and after the first quarter of play, it was a 0-0 game.

    Finally, with 1:31 left to play in the half; the Cougars put the first points up on the board, when QB Zach Crummey scored on a quarterback draw from the 1-yard line, on a 3rd and 1.

    Scoreboard during a youth football game showing Crestview Knights 0, guest team 7, with 1:31 left in the quarter.

    The lead would be short lived for the visiting Van Wert Cougars as a mere 25 seconds later, the Crestview Knights would tie the game when senior QB #4 Huxley Grose connected on deep pass to senior WR #5 Hayden Perrott, with 1:06 left on the clock.

    Scoreboard showing Crestview Knights 7, Guest 7, with 1:06 remaining in the quarter.

    That would be it for the varsity football teams from both schools. Ending up in a 7-7 tie at the end of the half.

    The Knights outgained the Cougars in total yards 162 to 151. Both teams struggled on 3rd downs, going a combined 2 for 11.

    Knights QB Huxley Grose finished the half completing 5/9 for 89 yards.

    His counterpart Cougars QB Zach Crummey 9/14 for 60 yards.

    I spoke with Crestview head coach Cole Harting first after the game.

    A group of football players and coaches gathered in a huddle on a grassy field during evening practice.

    “I thought both teams played really hard. Both offenses were able to move the ball at times. We had a couple penalties here and there, so we got to clean that up. We got to get our snap game a little better, we had some bad snaps, but we should be OK. Braxton had a really nice game. He had a couple tough runs, and a couple deep runs. Obviously, Hayden Perrott had a nice game, and I thought Huxley played really nice.”

    I asked him specifically about the Knights defensive line getting lots of pressure on Cougars QB Crummey, mostly on the edge.

    “We have a little bit more experience on the edges there, and our kids are pretty athletic, so that bodes well for us on the perimeter.”

    Van Wert head coach Keith Recker has been leading the Cougars for 14 seasons, and led them to a state championship in 2020. I caught up with him after the game.

    Football team in red jerseys gathered for a huddle on a grassy field during a practice session.

    “Defensively we played well. We challenged them to really stop the run. They ran all over us last year with the same running back and a lot of the same offensive line. So, we challenged our linebackers to fill and keep their shoulders square. We did a really nice job against that.”

    I asked Coach Recker about #11 sophomore WR/DB Xavier Kelly, who was a 2024 Honorable Mention as a freshman.

    “Yeah, X does a great job and he’s only a sophomore. He can play a lot of different positions. We put him in at running back today because he can get a lot of touches that way.”

    Van Wert’s starting QB Zach Crummey is a big kid, at 6’6″. He showed some scrambling ability for a kid his size. I asked Coach Recker about his ability to move around.

    “Unfortunately, our pass pro broke down quite a bit and he had to be elusive, but I thought he showed that really well. We want to keep him healthy through the scrimmage and but he’s tough and he’ll do whatever he needs to when we get into the game.”

    High school football teams from Van Wert and Crestview shake hands after a scrimmage game on a grassy field under a clear sky.

    At the end of the day, there were hugs and handshakes by all. Players, coaches, and even the fans who came out to support their kids and teams. They’ll be seeing each other again. I know both teams will be represented at the Wren Homecoming Pie Eating Contest, in Wren, Ohio on Saturday at 2:15 PM.

    I wonder if it will be as competitive as last night’s game.

    – by Sean McKenzie.

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    Stats courtesy of….. Chris Lutz.