Knights rally to beat Paulding Panthers

Van Wert independent sports

CONVOY — The Crestview Knights have struggled at times this year, but went out on a positive note Friday with a 42-20 victory over Paulding at home.

Crestview quarterback Drew Kline (10) runs the ball in for a touchdown against Paulding in a Northwest Conference game won by the Knights 42-20. (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent) — **Crestview quarterback Drew Kline (10) runs the ball in for a touchdown against Paulding in a Northwest Conference game won by the Knights 42-20.** *(Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)*

The victory didn’t come easy, as the Knights had to come from behind to overcome a 14-8 halftime deficit against Paulding.

Crestview started the scoring off when Drew Kline connected with Jordan Miller on a 16-yard scoring strike with eight minutes remaining on the first-quarter clock. Kline passed to Grant Schlagbaum for the two-point conversion and the Knights led 8-0.

The Panthers scored the next three touchdowns, with the first coming on a 2-yard run by Zach Buchman with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter. The point-after attempt failed and it was 8-6, Crestview.

Paulding’s second TD came on a 5-yard run by Branson Minck, with Corbin Edwards running for the two-point conversion to make it 14-8, Panthers, with 30 seconds remaining in the first half.

Paulding scored first in the third quarter when Cameron Doster intercepted a Kline pass at the 6:42 mark for a 30-yard “pick six” and a 20-8 Panther lead.

Crestview's Jordan Miller (2) catches a touchdown throw during the Knights' win Friday against Paulding. (Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent) — **Crestview’s Jordan Miller (2) catches a touchdown throw during the Knights’ win Friday against Paulding.** *(Bob Barnes/Van Wert independent)*

The rest of the game was all Crestview, though, as the Knights rallied to score 34 unanswered points — including four Kline touchdown runs — to win the game.

Kline made up for the interception by scoring on runs of 55-, 20-, 9- and 10 yards as Crestview built a 36-20 lead over the Panthers.

Luke Gerardot put the icing on the cake — and Paulding on ice — as he scored one final time on a 16-yard run with 3:25 remaining in the game.

The Knights generated 436 yards of offense, with 339 yards of that coming on the ground. Kline ran 15 times for 145 yards and four touchdowns, while Payton Knittle had 110 yards on 10 carries. Doster was the Panthers’ top rusher with 45 yards on seven carries.

In addition to his rushing prowess, Kline also completed 6 of 14 passes for 97 yards, a touchdown, and the interception.

Paulding quarterback Corbin Edwards was 5 of 14 for 81 yards and four interceptions.

POSTED: 10/31/15 at 8:53 am. FILED UNDER: Sports