Knights edge Bluffton in NWC mudfest

Van Wert independent sports

BLUFFTON – Neither Crestview or Bluffton generated much offense during Friday’s rain-soaked Northwest Conference contest, but an extra point from Knight kicker Kameron Grubaugh was the difference as Crestview edged the Pirates 7-6.

The Knights had a total of 150 yards of offense, all but seven of those on the ground, while Bluffton generated 195 offensive yards, 112 of those through the air.

Malcolm Oliver generated most of the Knights’ offense, running 31 times for 122 yards and Crestview’s only touchdown. Quarterback Preston Zaleski threw just four times, connecting on one pass attempt for a total of seven yards, but also threw no interceptions. Jonah Bourassa led Bluffton in rushing with 53 yards on 13 carries, while Pirate quarterback Mitchell Ault completed 6 of 17 passes for 59 yards, but also had two interceptions, while Robbie Stratton was 3 for 8 for 53 yards for Bluffton.

The Pirates scored first when Austin Bricker broke away for a 15-yard scamper at the 8:51 mark of the first quarter. The point-after attempt failed, though, and Bluffton led 6-0 – a lead they would hold until the third quarter.

Crestview’s Oliver bulled it over from the Bluffton 1-yard-line at the 7:20 mark of the third stanza to tie the game, while Grubaugh’s PAT kick put the Knights ahead to stay, 7-6.

Both teams had their share of stalled drives and turnovers, with the Knights losing two fumbles and Bluffton fumbling once and having two interceptions during the game.

With the win, Crestview is now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league play, while the Pirates fall to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the NWC.

The Knights will host Allen East in a league contest this coming Friday, starting at 7:30 p.m.