Knights top the Pirates, now 4-0

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

BLUFFTON — Drew Kline completed 12-of-15 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score, and the Crestview Knights opened Northwest Conference play with a 40-20 victory over the host Bluffton Pirates.

Five of Crestview’s six touchdowns were scored in the first two quarters, as the Knights rolled to a 33-0 halftime lead.

“We were able to take advantage of their pressure with some quick passes,” Crestview head coach Jared Owens said. “I was very pleased with our protection and execution.”

Derick Dealey opened the scoring at the 7:13 mark of the first quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run. Dylan Hicks tacked on the first of three extra points to make it 7-0. The Knights struck again about four minutes later, when Kline connected with Wade Sheets for a 44-yard touchdown.

Crestview (4-0, 1-0 NWC) scored three more times in the second quarter. Kline fired a 12-yard touchdown pass to Charles Stefanek with 11:17 left, then Kline ran 39 yards for a score with 7:37 remaining in the quarter. Kline hooked up with Dealey for a 15-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left until halftime.

A running clock was in effect during a scoreless third quarter, then the Pirates (1-3, 0-1 NWC) found the end zone three times in the final period.

Dakota Bricker scored on a 26-yard run with 7:50 left, but Crestview responded with a five-yard touchdown run by Kaden Short. Gavin Conrad’s 32-yard touchdown run made it 40-14, then Bluffton’s DeAndre Nassar scored from 35 yards out with no time left on the clock.

“I thought we played well in all three phases of the game,” Owens said. “I’m very proud of our defense and their discipline.”

Wade Sheets intercepted three Bluffton passes and on offense had four receptions for 113 yards and a quarter.

Grant Schlagbaum had three catches for 71 yards, Dealey had three for 33 yards and a touchdown and Stefanak had two receptions for 20 yards and a score.

Short had 25 yards rushing on eight carries, while Trevor Gibson had five carries for 22 yards.

The Knights will travel to Columbus Grove next Friday night.

Scoring summary:

7:13 1st qtr: Derick Dealey 9 yard touchdown run (Dylan Hicks kick) 7-0 CHS
2:57 1st qtr: Drew Kline 44 yard pass to Wade Sheets (conversion failed) 13-0 CHS
11:17 2nd qtr: Drew Kline 12 yard pass to Charles Stefanek (Dylan Hicks kick) 20-0 CHS
7:37 2nd qtr: Drew Kline 39 yard run (conversion failed) 27-0 CHS
0:15 2nd qtr: Drew Kline 13 yard pass to Derick Dealey (conversion failed) 33-0 CHS
7:50 4th qtr: Dakota Bricker 26 yard run (Kyle Koontz kick) 33-7 CHS
3:23 4th qtr: Kaden Short 5 yard run (Dylan Hicks kick) 40-7 CHS
0:29 4th qtr: Gavin Conrad 32 yard run (Kyle Koontz kick) 40-14 CHS
0:00 4th qtr: DeAndre Nassar 35 yard run (conversion failed) 40-20 CHS