Midseason Report: Crestview Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

CONVOY — One half down, one more to go in the 2018 high school regular season, and midseason the Crestview Knights sit at 4-1 (1-1 NWC), with a big game at Spencerville set for Friday night.

With victories over Parkway, Hicksville, Wayne Trace and Bluffton, the Knights rolled to a 4-0 start and a No. 4 ranking in Division IV before Columbus Grove pulled a 33-20 upset last Friday. Now, Crestview essentially needs to win out to capture at least a share of the Northwest Conference title.

After five games, Crestview is the top scoring team in the NWC, averaging 42 points per game. The Knights are also tops in first downs (21 per game), and total yards (433 per game), and second behind Spencerville in yards rushing per game (290) and yards passing (142 per game).

Drew Kline is the NWC’s leading rusher with 75 carries for 575 yards (7.7 average) and five touchdowns, and the senior quarterback is the second leading passer in the conference, having completed 43 of 71 passes for 718 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

Brody Brecht has 55 carries for 444 yards (7.9 average) and five touchdowns, while Derick Dealey has 27 carries for 213 yards (7.9 average) and three scores.

Wade Sheets leads the team with 19 receptions for 396 yards and six touchdowns, while Dealey has eight catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Crestview is second in points allowed (23 per game), second in total yards allowed (252) and second in rushing yards allowed (90 per game).

“I think that we continue to play better defensively,” Crestview head coach Jared Owens said. “We are getting better at execution of our roles.”

After five games, Owens noted he’s happy with how tight knit his team is, and the team’s work ethic.

“I have been pleased with how are team has come together as a family,” the coach said. “We play for each other and won’t quit on one another.”

“Our kids have worked very hard all offseason and up until this point, and we will keep demanding more.”

On the injury front, the Knights are in the same boat as the majority of high school football teams around Ohio.

“We have a couple of long term injuries, but other than that it has been typical bumps and bruises,” Owens stated.

With the second half of the season starting Friday, and with a likely playoff berth in Week No. 11, Owens said special teams is an area of focus and improvement.

Against Columbus Grove, the Knights surrendered a punt return for a touchdown, and extra point kicks have been converted at a rate of 50 percent (11-22).

After Friday’s game at Spencerville, the Knights will travel to Ada in Week No. 7, host Allen East in Week No. 8, then will close out the regular season with games at Delphos Jefferson and Paulding.

For now, the Knights are focused on Spencerville, and Owens was short and simple when asked what the key to a Crestview victory might be.

“We have to stop the run,” Owens said.