Knights hold on for thrilling 34-33 win

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

HARROD — Crestview’s defense shut down a late two point try by Allen East and the Knights escaped Harrod with a 34-33 win over the Mustangs on Friday.

The two teams traded scores throughout the game, but it came down to the final seconds before it was settled.

Allen East’s Miles McDorman scored on a 8-yard run with 30 seconds left in the game, but was stuffed on the ensuing two point conversion attempt and the Knights (4-1, 2-0 NWC) were able to run out the clock. McDorman finished the game with 29 carries for 256 yards and five touchdowns.

Not to be outdone, Crestview’s Braxton Leeth carried 35 times for 264 yards and scored four touchdowns of his own, giving him 127 carries for 1,362 yards and 22 touchdowns at the halfway point of the regular season. However, it was the defense that made perhaps the biggest play of the night with the stop on the two point try.

“Tonight our defense came up huge with a couple of key takeaways and made a huge stop on their two point try to seal the game,” Crestview head coach Cole Harting said. “That unit has struggled at times this year but I’m so happy to see them make the plays when they matter the most.”

Prior to Allen East’s late score and two point attempt, it appeared Crestview sealed the deal with a 10-yard touchdown run by Leeth with just under two minutes left to make it 34-27. The Knights lined up for a two point conversion but came up short.

“All night, Allen East made it very difficult to run the football,” Harting said. “We were able to distribute the ball to some different players based on what they were giving us. I’m very proud of our guys because when we needed a final drive then churned out the yards and chewed the clock.

The first of Leeth’s touchdowns came on a 21-yard run in the first quarter, which gave the Knights a 7-0 lead entering the second period. Allen East (1-4, 0-2 NWC) equaled the score with a 3-yard run by McDorman, but Leeth countered with a 24-yard touchdown run, giving Crestview a 14-7 scoring advantage. An 80-yard touchdown sprint by McDorman equaled the score, but Leeth’s third touchdown of the half put the Knights ahead 21-14 at the break.

The donnybrook continued in the third quarter and the two teams found themselves tied 21-21 entering the fourth quarter. Huxley Grose broke the stalemate with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Perrott, who went on to finish with six receptions for 71 yards. Grose completed a season high 17-of-25 passes for 148 yards. Liam Putman was another favorite target, with six catches for 45 yards.

The Mustangs answered with a short run and a missed extra point, setting the stage for the exciting finish.

The two teams combined for 797 yards of total offense, including 423 by the Knights. They also combined for 40 first downs.

“Overall it was a total team victory,” Harting said. “We can’t wait to get back to practice and keep improving. We look forward to hosting Delphos Jefferson next Friday.”

Scoring summary

First quarter

CK: Braxton Leeth 21-yard run (Hayden Perrott kick)

Second quarter

AE: Miles McDorman 3-yard run (Travis Stanley kick)

CK: Braxton Leeth 24-yard run (Hayden Perrott kick)

AE: Miles McDorman 80-yard run (Travis Stanley kick)

CK: Braxton Leeth 1-yard run (Travis Stanley kick)

Third quarter

AE: Miles McDorman 3-yard run (Travis Stanley kick)

Fourth quarter

CK: Huxley Grose 3-yard pass to Hayden Perrott (Hayden Perrott kick)

AE: Miles McDorman 4-yard run (kick failed)

CK: Braxton Leeth 10-yard run (two point conversion failed)

AE: Miles McDorman 9-yard run (two point conversion failed)