Preview: Leipsic (7-2) at Crestview (6-3)

Editor’s note: Comments from Leipsic head coach Joe Kirkendall have been added to this story.

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent editor

CONVOY — Friday’s game against Leipsic will be the final home game of the season for Crestview, but it most likely won’t be the final one of the season.

The Knights are hoping the game will be a springboard into the postseason, which will begin on the road in Week 11. A win over the Vikings and other factors could mean Crestview (6-3, 4-2 NWC) would begin the playoffs as high as the No. 11 seed in Region 26. Even so, head coach Cole Harting said it’s business as usual this week.

“Our approach to this week isn’t anything different than other weeks, every day we focus on getting better, and that’s not going to change,” Harting stated. “We know this is a big game, we want to take care of business and not have to worry about other outcomes determining if we get in.”

Entering the regular season finale, the Knights are coming off an impressive 42-0 win over Spencerville. Braxton Leeth scored a school record six touchdowns and the victory snapped a two-game losing streak at the hands of Bluffton and Columbus Grove.

“It was a great team performance all around,” After being shut out the prior two games, our offense was able to get back on track, while our defense was able to post their first shutout of the year.”

“Crestview is a very athletic team with good skill players,” Leipsic head coach Joe Kirkendall said. “Their size at receiver prevents challenges for us as does the tempo they play with. Both are very difficult to replicate in practice. I have been impressed with their balance on offense and defensively, the defensive line has good size and has done a good job defending the run and as a group they play with a lot of effort.”

Like Crestview, Leipsic (7-2, 4-2 NWC) suffered back-to-back losses to Columbus Grove and Bluffton, but rebounded with a shutout win over Delphos Jefferson, 33-0 last week. The Vikings are averaging nearly 29 points per game while allowing just 14 points per outing. Leipsic has a three headed rushing attack featuring Estevan Carrilo (75-522, four touchdowns); Trent Siefker (37-445, six touchdowns), and Quin Schroeder (62-385, nine touchdowns). Quarterback Ty Lammers has led an efficient passing game by going 51-of-85 for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception.

“Offensively we are a pro-style, tight end based offense that likes to utilize a downhill running game and quick passing game to create balance,” Kirkendall said. “Our strength this year on offense has been in an improving offensive line and some excellent athletes who can provide diversity to what we do. Defensively we are a 4-3 scheme that tries to play with speed on defense. We have done a great job in limiting big plays this year and forcing opposing teams to put long drives together.”

“They are extremely well coached and they play a very physical style of football,” Harting said. “Offensively, they have the ability to get into heavy run formations and then switch to spreading you out from one play to the next. They have some very good athletes who can make plays and score from anywhere on the field. We will have to be able to identify different formations, tackle well, and limit their big plays. Leipsic has their own unique style which makes them different than any team we have seen this year.”

“Defensively, they have shown multiple fronts and coverages throughout the season, they do a great job of modifying their defense to match the offense they are playing,” he added. “We will have to be sound with our assignments and execute at a high level.”

Leipsic won last year’s game 42-7.

It will be the final NWC football game played between the Knights and the Vkings. Leipsic is returning to the Blanchard Valley Conference next season.

“I believe that our three years in the NWC has had a tremendously positive impact on our football program,” Kirkendall said. “It has forced us at every level to play against schools not only bigger than us in numbers, but with bigger players. The competition in the NWC challenged our varsity team to be prepared every week, which helped us improve throughout the year.”   

“At the lower levels, (JH/JV) the reality of competing against bigger/better teams really challenged our kids and I believe has made them better players.  I believe that these three seasons have made our program and players better and will have a very positive impact on our results when we return to playing a BVC schedule.”