Columbus Grove’s big plays stun Knights

Van Wert independent sports

COLUMBUS GROVE — The Crestview Knights struggled offensively while Columbus Grove was firing on all cylinders as the Bulldogs upset Crestview 26-13 for only the second Knight loss of the year.

With the loss, Crestview is now 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Northwest Conference, while the Bulldogs are 5-4 overall and 4-2 in league play.

Columbus Grove set the tone right off as Joey Warnecke took the ball on the first play from scrimmage and scampered 60 yards for the touchdown. Warnecke booted the extra point as well and ‘Grove led 7-0 with 11:44 remaining.

After Crestview’s first drive stalled, the Bulldogs scored again five minutes later when Warnecke kicked a 30-yard field goal at the 6:43 mark.

The Knights then got on the scoreboard when Preston Zaleski ran 41 yards for a score. Jake Tatum kicked the PAT and it was 10-7, Bulldogs, which is how the first quarter ended.

Unfortunately for Crestview, the Bulldogs would score three times before the Knights would again get on the scoreboard. The next score for Columbus Grove came from special teams play as David Bogart took a Knight punt and ran 70 yards for the touchdown. Warnecke again kicked the point-after and Grove led 17-7 with 7:21 remaining in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs’ final score of the first half came on a 23-yard field goal by Warnecke to make the halftime score 20-7.

Columbus Grove’s final score came with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter when Reid Stechschulte ran the ball in from the Crestview 3-yard line for a touchdown. Warnecke’s point-after attempt failed and it was 26-7, Bulldogs.

Crestview got one more touchdown when Zaleski scored on an 8-yard run with 8:55 left in the game. The PAT was no good to make the final score 26-13.

Warnecke led the Bulldogs in rushing with 176 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Zaleski rushed for 101 yards and two TDs on 23 carries, while Jordan Miller had 54 yards rushing on 15 carries.

The Knights will be back in action on Friday against Paulding (1-8, 0-6 NWC) for their final regular season contest.