Turnovers haunt Knights in loss to Paulding

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

CONVOY — Turnovers proved to be very costly for Crestview, but perhaps none was more costly than a late pick-6.

Trailing 12-6 late in the fourth quarter, the Knights started to drive and appeared to be headed toward a potential game-tying or game winning score, but Paulding’s Emmet Barnes had a different idea. The 6-3, 190 junior defensive back intercepted a Cooper Miller pass and raced back 80 yards for a touchdown, which sealed an 18-6 victory in the season opener for both teams.

The turnover was one of five committed by the Knights – two interceptions and three fumbles. One of the fumbles occurred in the third quarter, when it appeared the Knights were going in for a score. Instead, the ball went into the end zone and a touchback ensued.

Paulding had three turnovers in the game.

“You can’t expect to win games when you turn the ball over more than the other team,” Crestview head coach Cole Harting said. “Obviously we need to clean those things up and if we do that, we put ourselves in position to win that game.”

The two teams battled to a scoreless tie after one quarter, then Avery Cooper put the Panthers on the scoreboard first with an 8-yard touchdown run. The PAT failed, leaving the score 6-0 with 5:22 left until halftime. Paulding struck again with 22 seconds left until the break, when Ridge Hunt connected with Jason Manz for 8-yard score. The try for two failed and 12-0 was the halftime score. Neither team scored in the third quarter but Crestview got on the scoreboard less than two minutes into the final period, when Miller fired a 40-yard touchdown pass to Cash Hammons. However, the extra point attempt failed. 

Despite the loss, Crestview outgained Paulding 283-260.

“I thought our defense played phenomenal,” Harting said. “We held a very talented athletic group of receivers and running backs to 12 points and I thought we executed our game plan on the defensive just about as well as we could have. Unfortunately, our offense put our defense in some really bad spot, but time and time again, our defense answered the call and made crucial stops that really allowed us an opportunity to stay in the game.”

Miller finished the game 10-of-22 passing for 180 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Beau Lichtensteiger had four receptions for 96 yards. Evin Brincefield led the Knights in rushing with 15 carries for 63 yards, whileTrenton Osborn had five carries for 43 yards.

Hunt was 10-of-25 passing for 104 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Cooper led Paulding’s rushing attack with 22 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown, while Jalen Manz added seven carries for 50 yards.

Crestview (0-1) will travel to Minster on Friday, while Paulding (1-0) will entertain North Central.

Scoring summary

Panthers  0  12  0  6 – 18

Knights    0    0  0  6 –   6

First quarter

No scoring

Second quarter

5:22 P – Avery Cooper 8-yard run (kick failed)

0:26 P – Ridge Hunt 8-yard pass to Jalen Manz (pass failed)

Third quarter

No scoring

Fourth quarter

10:02 C – Cooper Miller 40-yard pass to Cash Hammons (kick failed)

2:34 P – Emmet Barnes 80-yard interception return (kick failed)