Playoffs: Otsego rolls by Cougars 63-27

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

Early miscues doomed Van Wert during Friday’s Division IV Region 14 playoff opener against fifth seeded Otsego. The No. 12 seed Cougars found themselves down 14-0 just 65 seconds into the game and went on to lose 63-27.

The tone was set when the opening kickoff bounced off of one of the Cougars and was recovered by the Knights. Two plays later, Otsego quarterback Grady Frank scored on a 42-yard keeper, then on Van Wert’s first play, defensive back Mason Kramer stepped in front of a Zach Crummey pass and raced untouched down the sideline for a touchdown.

“We just couldn’t overcome that and we couldn’t get any stops defensively,” Van Wert head coach Keith Recker said. “We were able to get some things going offensively but not being able to stop them at all just put us in too big of a hole.”

It got worse for the Cougars. On the ensuing drive the Knights stopped Van Wert on fourth and short at the Cougar 49, then scored four plays later on a 43-yard sprint by Dane Fatzinger.

Van Wert (5-6) answered with a score, when Crummey found Easton Putman open in the end zone from 36 yards out, but it took Otsego just one play to respond, as Frank outran the Cougar defense for a 76 yard touchdown, putting the Knights ahead 27-7 with 5:25 left in the opening quarter. Frank had a hand in seven of Otsego’s touchdowns while guiding the option attack. 

After that, the Cougars put together a drive but it ended on downs deep in Otsego territory when a fourth down pass into the end zone fell incomplete. The Knights started a drive from their own 11-yard line with 48 seconds left in the opening quarter and scored nine plays later on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Frank to Fatzinger, increasing Otsego’s lead to 34-7.

Van Wert’s next drive ended on downs but the Knights fumbled it away on the next play and the Cougars were able to craft a 14-play, 69 yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Crummey, making it 34-14, a score that stood at halftime. On that drive, running back Xavier Kelly went down with a knee injury and did not return to the game.

“Hopefully nothing is structurally wrong, it seems like everything is intact and okay,” Recker said. “He just couldn’t run on it.”

Kelly, who entered the game with 1,111 yard rushing and 583 yards receiving and 30 total touchdowns, had 12 carries for 38 yards and one reception for five yards.

Football Friday Scoreboard: Week No. 11

VW independent sports

Here are final scores of area opening round playoff games played on Friday, October 30. Eight area teams each had a first round bye and will return to action next Friday – Lima Sr., Celina, Wapakoneta, Ottawa-Glandorf, Lima Central Catholic, Columbus Grove, Marion Local and Minster.

Division III Region 10

St. Marys Memorial 57 Maumee 33

Division IV Region 14

Otsego 63 Van Wert 27

Division V Region 18

Bluffton 63 Norwayne 42

Coldwater 27 Genoa 26

Division VI Region 22

Carey 37 Fairview 27

Paulding 21 Allen East 17

Division VI Region 24

Versailles 38 Portsmouth West 7

St. Henry 42 Madison Plains 0

Division VII Region 26

Edon 41 Delphos Jefferson 14

Mohawk 42 Wayne Trace 13

Division VII Region 28

Fort Loramie 43 Tri-County North 13

Fort Recovery 48 Waynsefield-Goshen 14

New Bremen 63 Ridgemont 13

Tinora rallies to end Crestview’s season

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

LIMA — It was a match that was expected to go the distance and it did.

In Thursday’s Division VI district championship volleyball match, Crestview took two of the first three sets but Tinora ralled for a 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-16, 15-10 win at Lima Sr.

For the most part, the opening set was a seesaw battle but in the second set, Tinora (20-5) scored eight of the final 12 points to even the match 1-1. The Lady Knights were able to build a 15-8 lead in the third set and used the momentum to pull ahead 2-1.

However, Tinora seized control in the fourth set by jumping out to a 12-4 advantage and held Crestview at bay to send the match to a fifth and deciding set. Crestview led early but the Rams went on a run and streaked out to a 10-5 advantage, then held on for the win.

In her final match, Kaci Gregory led the Lady Knights with 13 kills, 14 digs and was 17-of-18 from the service line with an ace. Kaylee Owens had 12 kills and four blocks, and Kenadie Schwartz had 11 kills and four blocks. Nora Perkins had 21 assists and was 14-of-15 serving with three aces, and Kinley Crider had 14 assists. Ayla Kreischer had 12 digs and Delanie Balliet was 14-of-14 serving with an ace.

“I commend this group of girls for their achievements not only in the regular season but also in tournament, their overall commitment to the program and most importantly the support they have shown towards one another the entire season,” Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory said. “It was definitely a special season with a special group that created a lot of memories that they will cherish forever.

Tinora’s Addison Dominique had 27 kills and Braleigh Addington added 18 kills. Ella Schaublin had 42 assists and 19 digs.

The win put the Rams in the regionals for the third consecutive season. Tinora will face St. Henry in the regional semifinals at Fostoria on Thursday.

Crestview finished the 2026 season with an overall record of 15-10, NWC champions for the sixth consecutive season, sectional champions, and district runners-up. The team had just two seniors – Kaci Gregory and Lainey Gardner.

“Thank you for the great following from the Crestview community, the tremendous support and involvement from the parents and families of the players, and our awesome student section that brought great energy and noise to support the Lady Knights,” the elder Gregory said.

Tale of the Tape: Van Wert vs. Otsego

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

After a three year hiatus, Van Wert is back in the OHSAA football playoffs. The Cougars clinched the 12th and final seed in Division IV Region 14 with last Friday’s win over Kenton, which means the team will hit the road for opening round action Friday night, with No. 5 seed Otsego serving as the host opponent.

It’s believed to be the first ever meeting between the two schools that are separated by roughly 75 miles.

Van Wert’s season has seen it’s share of ups and downs. The Cougars started the season with wins over Bryan, Elida and Bath, then fell to Celina 49-28 in Week No. 4. Van Wert trailed early 14-0 then rallied to tie the game 14-14. Later, the Cougars fell behind 28-14 but once again rallied to tie the game 28-28. However, from there, Celina, which finished No. 6 in the state in the final Division III poll of the season, scored the final 21 points of the game to win 49-28.

Van Wert returned home in Week No. 5 and put up a season high in points with a 61-28 win over Defiance. The following week, the Cougars trailed Wapakoneta 14-13 in the third quarter but the Redskins pulled away for a 35-13 win. St. Marys Memorial came to Eggerss Stadium for homecoming in Week No. 7 and it appeared as though Van Wert might emerge with a victory. Van Wert scored a touchdown and hit a two-point conversion and led 42-35 with under a minute left in the game, but a handful of miscues proved to be costly, as the Roughriders scored a touchdown with no time left on the clock, then ran for the two point conversion and the walk-off win.

The Cougars traveled to Putman County to face undefeated, state-ranked and eventual WBL champion Ottawa-Glandorf in Week No. 8. Van Wert had a 20-14 lead after one quarter but only scored once more, as the Titans pulled away for a 38-26 win. In the final home game of the season, the Cougars had a 27-19 lead with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but Shawnee scored twice and snuffed out a late drive by Van Wert, giving the Indians a 33-27 win. The loss ended any shot the Cougars had at a home playoff game.

District runner-up…

Crestview’s Kaylee Owens (above) and Kaci Gregory (below) each try to make plays at the net during Thursday’s Division VI district championship match against Tinora at Lima Sr. The Lady Knights took two of the first three sets but the Rams were able to rally for a 23-25, 25-21, 25-20,  25-16, 15-10 win. Crestview finished as the district runner-up. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent

Powerhouse team back in playoffs

Editor’s note: Since this story was published, lawyers representing the Cleveland Metropolitan School District convinced a Cleveland judge to issue a temporary restraining order allowing Glenville back in the playoffs. As of mid-Friday afternoon, Glenville’s opening round game against University School is back on.

VW independent sports/submitted information

COLUMBUS — In some respects, it’s been a challenging season for defending Division IV state champion Glenville.

In late August, the OHSAA placed the school’s football program and docked the Tarblooders and several schools around the state practice and scrimmage days.

After a Week No. 2 game at Olentangy Liberty, 11 team members were charged with theft after allegedly stealing over $4,500 worth of merchandise from a Columbus-area Dick’s Sporting Goods store. The players involved were suspended for two games.

Now, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has removed Glenville from the 2026 football playoffs as part of an ongoing investigation into Cleveland Metropolitan School District inaccurately assigning student participation opportunities to Glenville.

Glenville was considered the favorite to win this year’s Division III state championship.

The issues stem from students who attend Ginn Academy, which is a non-member magnet school that does not offer sports and is under the control of Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Students who attend Ginn Academy can only participate in athletics at the Cleveland Metro school that is closest to their residence.

Glenville’s first-round opponent, No. 12 seed Hunting Valley University School, will advance on the bracket to a second-round game against No. 4 seed Salem on Friday, Nov. 6.

In October of 2018, Glenville was also removed from the football playoffs for the same infractions, along with being fined $5,000 and placed on probation through 2021.

Pigskin Pick’Em: Week No. 11

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

The regular season is in the books and the OHSAA football playoffs are upon us. It was an eventful few hours as teams waited to find out who they were hosting or where they were heading, or if they were in at all. Van Wert’s win over Kenton proved to be enough to get the Cougars into the postseason. Wayne Trace got in, despite a loss to Fairview in the finale. The Versailles Tigers thought they were out, then learned they were in thanks to a forfeit by one of the teams in their region. Despite five straight wins and a 7-3 record playing in the toughest small school conference in the state (MAC), Anna didn’t make the top 12 in Region 24.

I finished Week No. 10 16-3 (84.2 percent), which took my regular season record to 168-46 (78.5 percent). During the last six weeks of the season I want 98-13 (88.2 percent).

This week’s Pigskin Pick’Em slate is rather light with just 11 games involving area teams. Eight other area teams – Lima Sr., Celina, Wapakoneta, Ottawa-Glandorf, Lima Central Catholic, Columbus Grove, Marion Local and Minster each have a bye this week and will return to action next Friday night.

There is one honorable mention Game of the Week: Norwayne at Bluffton in Division V Region 10. Bluffton is the No. 5 seed but the loss of quarterback Tayte Giesige, a four-year starter,  to injury is enormous. Bluffton is still a formidable team but Norwayne is no slouch either. One other note – I’m not picking against any MAC school in the opening round.

Games of the Week

Delphos Jefferson (4-6) at Edon (9-1)

The Bombers are the No. 6 seed and are considered the favorite over the No. 11 seed Wildcats. Personally, I think this game has the potential to be closer than some people think. Why? Just look at the strength of the Northwest Conference this season. It’s a primer for the the playoffs and playoff readiness. This Delphos Jefferson team is probably better that a lot of people realize. Having said that, Edon obviously has had a very nice season. The closest margin of victory was 23 points. The rest ranged between 31 and 51 points. I won’t be too shocked if there’s an upset but I have to go with the higher seed here.

The pick: Edon

Maumee (5-5) at St. Marys Memorial (7-3)

Another No. 6 vs. No. 11 seed matchup. The Roughriders have lost three games this season – Celina, Wapakoneta and Ottawa-Glandorf, three teams with a combined record of 26-4. The Western Buckeye League was brutually good this season. Entering Friday’s game, St. Marys Memorial has won four straight, including a walk-off, 38-36 win over Elida in the regular season finale. Maumee got off to a 3-1 start but went 2-4 down the stretch. The Panthers play in the same conference as Van Wert’s opponent – the Northern Buckeye Conference. I’m not going to overthink this one. I like the Roughriders.

VW Cougars to joust with the Knights

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

448 teams have qualified for the OHSAA football playoffs and two of them will meet for the first time ever in Wood County Friday night, as the fifth seeded Otsego Knights (7-3, 5-2 NWC) host the No. 12 seed Van Wert Cougars (5-5, 4-5 WBL) in a Division IV Region 14 opening round game.

It’s the 16th playoff appearance for the Knights and the ninth for the Cougars. Otsego enters the game on a three game winning streak, including a 62-0 victory over Fostoria in the regular season finale, while Van Wert snapped a four game losing streak with a 55-28 win over Kenton.

“I think our ability to run the ball and our ability to create turnovers were both huge factors in the game,” Van Wert head coach Keith Recker said of Friday’s win. “We have been inconsistent in both of those categories, so dominating both of those stats was a huge factor in the win. I appreciate the excitement our guys have shown in earning a spot back in the playoffs, as our seniors were freshmen the last time we went, and I know they are excited about the opportunity to compete against Otsego.”

The win over Kenton was necessary to qualify for the playoffs and most projections had the Cougars heading further east, perhaps to Oberlin Firelands or Medina Buckeye, but the team learned late Friday night it would instead make the shorter trek to the Bowling Green area.

“We had looked into every team that was in range so we would have an idea of what we would want to do with film exchange come Friday night and Saturday morning,” Recker explained. “We thought we’d finish somewhere in the 10-12 seed range, and with some upsets that happened in other games on Friday it pushed us to the 12 seed. To us, records and seeds don’t matter at this point, as it’s a one game season to get the chance for another one.”

To advance to the next game, Van Wert will have to at least slow Otsego’s old school flexbone triple option attack, which allows the Knights churn out nearly 343 yards per game on the ground.

“There aren’t even that many teams who are under center anymore,” Otsego head coach Craig Rutherford said. “We’re hoping it’s difficult for the other team to get a good look in practice. We don’t throw the ball often. But even though the defense knows we’re probably running, we think it’s hard for them to know who is going to get the ball. If the defense wants to take one of our backs away, we hope we have an answer.”

Quarterback Frank Grady leads the team in rushing (108 carries, 734 yards, 12 touchdowns), with fullback Zaden Ziviski right behind (145-718, 13 touchdowns). Dane Leiter has added 566 yards and four touchdowns on just 36 carries and Mason Kramer has 49 carries for 511 yards and seven touchdowns. Dane Fatzinger has just 29 carries but 377 yards and six touchdowns. Otsego has nine ballcarriers who average 10 yards or better per carry.

“We play as many guys as any team I have ever coached,” Rutherford said. “We will have three players start on both sides of the ball, but we are able to sub any of them out to keep them fresh. Similar to Van Wert, we have pretty good team speed. We aren’t big at many positions, but we have been able to get some big plays on offense.”

Season a challenging one for Crestview

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

CONVOY — There’s no getting around it – the 2026 high school football season was a rough one for Crestview.

Playing against one of the toughest schedules in all of Division VI, the Knights finished 2-8 (2-5 NWC). Just how tough was the schedule? According to fantastic50.net, it was the sixth toughest in the state. Nine of Crestview’s 10 regular season opponents qualified for the playoffs. The eight losses came to teams with a combined record of 64-20. Four of the opponents – Minster, Bluffton, Columbus Grove and Lima Central Catholic were all ranked in the top 10 in their respective divisions.

Not to be lost in all of that – the Northwest Conference was one of the stronger small school conferences in the state this season. In addition, the Knights had to replace more than 90 percent of their offensive output from the 2025 season.

“We knew our schedule was going to be difficult coming into the season, especially with so many unknowns on the offensive side of the ball,” head coach Cole Harting said. “But I can’t say enough about the resiliency of our kids. They never stopped competing and continued to prepare each and every week with the expectation that we were going to win.”

While the offense tried to find its rhythm, three different players were called on to line up behind center – Cooper Miller, Calin Balliet and Cash Hammons. All three showed flashes. Balliet was the quarterback in Crestview’s wins over Spencerville and Delphos Jefferson and because of injuries, Hammons closed out the season at quarterback, completing 38-of-64 passes for 391 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Balliet completed 51-of-75 tosses for 376 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. Miller completed 39-of-109 attempts for 575 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions. Miller and Hammons are juniors while Balliet is a freshman.

“Ideally you don’t want to have too much movement at such a vital position but that was the hand we were dealt this season,” Harting said. “Despite the struggles and injuries, we are in a better position moving forward than where we were coming into the season. All three quarterbacks gained a ton of experience and I hope they will continue to grow and push themselves as well as each other. There is so much potential and upside with those guys, it will be fun to see what they can do next fall.”

Whichever quarterback takes snaps next season, they’ll have reliable hands to throw to. The top two targets were a pair of freshman receivers – Beau Lichtensteiger (45 receptions, 500 yards, five touchdowns) and Harper Perrott (27-342). Lichtensteiger was named honorable mention All-NWC.

Five set thriller!

The Crestview Lady Knights celebrated after winning a nailbiter over rival Lincolnview in the Division VI volleyball district semifinals at Lima Sr. on Tuesday. The match went the full five sets with Crestview posting a 25-13, 25-29, 27-29, 18-25, 16-14 victory. Lincolnview’s season ended at 15-9, while Crestview improved to 15-9 and will face Tinora in the district championship match at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lima Sr. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent