Cougars ‘win’ scrimmage against Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

CONVOY — It was the final preseason tune-up for both teams, and the Van Wert Cougars found the end zone five times in a 32-13 win over the Crestview Knights during Friday night’s Jamboree in Convoy.

Cougar Jacoby Kelly scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Eric Workman’s extra point gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

Van Wert scored twice more in the second quarter, on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Lawson Blackmore to Nate Place, and on a throw from Storm Pierce that was deflected, but caught in the end zone by Brice Klausing.

Workman’s second extra-point attempt of the night was good, but the third failed.

Sandwiched between those scores was a 35-yard touchdown run by Crestview’s Trevor Gibson. The extra-point attempt by Dylan Hicks was no good, and the Knights trailed 20-6 at halftime.

Reserve players took most of the snaps in the second half, and Van Wert found the end zone twice in the third quarter. Tristan Wehner scored on a 12-yard keeper and Rodney Calvelage broke several tackles on the way to a 55-yard touchdown run.

Both extra point attempts were no good, but the Cougars led 32-6.

The game’s final touchdown came late in the fourth quarter when Crestview’s Kaden Short fired a 13-yard touchdown strike to Charles Stefanek, and Hicks provided the PAT.

A scary moment occurred in the fourth quarter, when sophomore defensive back Josiah Updegrove went down with an apparent hip injury and was transported for evaluation.

Crestview quarterbacks Drew Kline and Dylan Grandstaff combined to complete 1 of 10 passes for 10 yards.

Payton Knittle had eight carries and 77 yards on the ground, while Trevor Gibson had five carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.

“If we clean up our assignments and play smarter football, we can match up okay,” Crestview Head Coach Jared Owens said after the scrimmage.

Owens added that he liked the fire and energy of the reserve players in the second half.

Van Wert quarterbacks Storm Pierce and Lawson Blackmore were 13-of-20 for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

“We threw the football a little bit better tonight and protected it better,” said Van Wert Head Coach Keith Recker, who also noted the defense played a bit better, saying it’s been a “learning curve.”

Crestview will open the season at home Friday night against non-conference rival Parkway.

Van Wert’s traditional regular season opener will be at home against Bryan. That game will air live on WERT 1220 AM.