Kline leads Knights over Wayne Trace

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

CONVOY — It was the Drew Kline Show in Convoy Friday night, as the sophomore quarterback accounted for all six of Crestview’s touchdowns in a 42-0 non-conference win over Wayne Trace. Kline threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more scores as the Knights improved to 3-0 on the season.

“I thought it was his most complete game, as far as being poised, not rushing his decisions, and being a good leader in the huddle,” said Crestview Head Coach Jared Owens.

Owens also praised the offensive line.

“Offensively, it starts up front, and (the line) did a phenomenal job of understanding their keys and moving people at the line of scrimmage,” Owens said.

The Knights scored at the 6:06 mark of the first quarter when Kline tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Grandstaff. Dylan Hicks kicked the first of his six extra points to make it 7-0.

Crestview struck three more times in the second quarter, with the first score coming on the opening play of the quarter: a 23-yard pass from Kline to Chase Clark to make it 14-0.

After a partially blocked punt, the Knights moved 39 yards in three plays, as Kline capped off the drive with a 20-yard run to go up 21-0 with 8:42 left in the quarter.

Kline scored on a 35-yard run at the 2:27 mark, then threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Luke Gerardot 31 seconds before halftime to make it 35-0.

Kline’s final touchdown came with 7:27 left in the third quarter, on a 42-yard cutback run to finish out the scoring.

He finished the game with 10 of 12 for 119 yards passing three touchdowns and no interceptions. Kline also carried the ball seven times for 146 yards and three more scores.

The entire second half was played with a running clock, and both teams substituted freely midway through the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter.

Owens was pleased that his younger players were able to preserve the shutout.

“It’s nice to see the kids’ efforts reflected on the scoreboard, as they don’t always get the glory,” Owens said.

In addition to being held scoreless, the Raiders had just 31 yards at the half and finished with 86 yards of total offense, with many of those yards coming on the game’s final drive.

Crestview finished with 345 yards of total offense, with 308 of those yards coming in the first half.

The Knights lost leading rusher Payton Knittle to a foot injury in the opening half, with the severity of the injury unknown.

In his absence, Trevor Gibson had 14 carries and 59 yards, while Luke Gerardot had eight carries and 31 yards.

Wayne Trace drops to 1-2 and will open Green Meadows Conference play next Friday night by hosting Antwerp.

Crestview will open Northwest Conference competition at home against Columbus Grove next Friday, starting at 7 p.m.