Knights get NWC win over Jefferson

Van Wert independent sports

CONVOY — The Crestview Knights never trailed Delphos Jefferson, scoring late in the game to provide a cushion in a 27-14 Northwest Conference victory that provided a highlight for the school’s Homecoming weekend.

The Knights got on the scoreboard at the 6:28 mark of the first quarter when senior quarterback Preston Zaleski legged the ball in from the Jefferson 11-yard line for a score. Jake Tatum kicked the point-after and it was 7-0, Crestview.

After Jefferson’s next possession went nowhere, the Knights again scored in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Zaleski with 6:44 remaining in the half. The PAT kick was no good and Crestview took a 13-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The Knights’ third score of the game came with 8:24 remaining in the third quarter on a 5-yard run by Zaleski. The Crestview quarterback led the team in rushing with 154 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries (7-yard average).

Zaleski also ran for two points on the PAT attempt to give the Knights a 21-0 lead.

Jefferson then scored the next two touchdowns, both coming on 1-yard runs by Adam Rode, and trailed by just a touchdown, 21-14, with time ticking down in the fourth quarter.

Crestview then put the game on ice with an 11-yard touchdown ramble by Malcolm Oliver. The PAT kick failed, but the Knights preserved a 27-14 victory over Jefferson.

Crestview generated 333 yards of total offense, nearly all of that on the ground, while holding the Wildcats to 208 yards. In addition to Zaleski’s 154 rushing yards, Oliver added 83 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and Justin Overmyer had 76 yards on nine carries.

Zaleski passed just twice, connecting on one of those for 12 yards.

The Knights (6-0, 3-0 NWC) will travel to Ada this coming Friday for another league game before returning home for a match-up with league leader Spencerville (6-0, 4-0 NWC) the following week.