Cougars eye improvement this season

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

It sounds like a cliché but it’s true – football games are won and lost up front.

While Van Wert has plenty of offensive firepower returning, the key will be how fast a small but athletic offensive line with some new faces comes together, and how fast the defensive front can gel. Another key will be how much improvement the defense as a whole makes this season.

The Cougars, who finished 5-5 (4-5 WBL) last season return 20 letter winners and 14 starters. Among them: junior quarterback Zach Crummey (6-6, 253), junior running back Xavier Kelly (6-0, 170), and senior receivers Micah Cowan (6-2, 185) and Keaten Welch (6-0, 165), who will all operate in Van Wert’s spread offense, which averaged 374 yards and 34 points per game in 2025.

In his first season as a starter, Crummey completed 181-of-266 passes for 2,339 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, including a school record 461 yards against St. Marys Memorial. He also rushed for 131 yards and nine touchdowns.

“We expect Zach to lead our offense and his progression this past spring and summer gives us a ton of confidence in him,” 15th year head coach Keith Recker said. “Physically and mentally he is a much improved quaraterback from last year. His timing, vision, and strength are where he is excelling right now. He is going to need to get some tough yards on short yardage as well because of his size and strength.”

Crummey, who is getting interest from several Division I schools as a tight end, will be pulling double duty this season – he’ll also play defensive end, after seeing spot duty there in 2025.

“He is constantly improving as a defensive end as well,” Recker said. “He is going to be a tough matchup because of his size and strength along with his athleticism.”

As a sophomore, Kelly rushed for 1,193 yards and 16 touchdowns on 169 carries, while grabbing 32 passes for 418 yards and five more scores.

“Xavier obviously has great athleticism, speed, quickness and can score from anywhere on the field,” Recker said. “An overlooked part of his game though is his strength and physical running style. He doesn’t mind putting his shoulder down and running through a defender just as much as he can run around and past them. He is the whole package as a running back.”

Cowan led the Cougars with 78 receptions for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns, including a school record 330 yards against St. Marys Memorial, while Welch had 43 catches for 595 yards and six touchdowns. Evan Keuneke (6-0, 155 junior) returns after a 21-catch, 240 yard season and Cohen Bragg (6-4, 175) will see action at wide receiver as well.

Knights to lean on experienced lines

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

CONVOY — How do you replace a running back like Braxton Leeth?

Leeth, who graduated from Crestview High School this past spring, rushed for 2,274 yards and 31 touchdowns, both school records, for the Knights last season. Replacing that kind of production isn’t easy, but third year head coach Cole Harting and his coaches are taking a different approach.

“Early on, we will plan on using several running backs to share the load,” Harting explained. “Evin Brincefield (6-0, 165 junior), Trenton Osborn (5-9, 160 junior), and Tate Lichtensteiger (5-10, 160 sophomore) to name a few, will get carries,” Harting explained. “This way, we can keep guys fresh throughout the season.”

Last season, Brincefield had 14 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Osborn logged 11 carries for 22 yards.

Whoever carries the ball this season will like this – the Knights (6-4, 4-3 NWC in 2025) return four of five starting offensive lineman, all seniors with good size, which should help ease the transition. Returning starters Denver McDougall (6-5, 220), Noah Woodruff (6-1, 190), Kale Lichtensteiger (6-0, 210) and Will Sheets (6-5, 245) will be joined by fellow senior Evan Myers (6-4, 255). McDougall is a three year starter at left tackle and Sheets offers athleticism up front.

“He’s one of our best athletes,” Harting said. He had a unique skill set, being extremely athletic as well as his size is going to give teams fits.”

New starting quarterback Cooper Miller (6-1, 190 junior) will enjoy what an experienced offensive line has to offer. Miller is taking over for Huxley Grose, who like Leeth graduated this past spring.”

“Cooper has done a great job preparing for the season,” Harting said. “He has put in a ton of work.” He has a very strong arm and has the size and athleticism to contribute in the run game while being able to extend plays in the passing game. His best attribute may be his toughness. With this being his first year at quarterback, he will have to continue to get better each and every week.”

Last year’s top two receivers (Hayden Perrott, Ian Putman) were lost to graduation, but Harting expects Jacoby Gallimore (6-0, 165 senior) and Conner Hammons (6-0, 175 junior) to step into those roles. Last season, Gallimore had 13 receptions for 127 yards, while Hammons had nine recpeptions for 50 yards.

Cougar golfers notch first WBL win

VW independent sports

LIMA — After last week’s and Monday’s washout, Van Wert’s first Western Buckeye League golf match of the season took place against Bath at Hidden Creek Golf Course on Tuesday.

When the first group of golfers tallied their rounds, match medalist Zach Stoller carded an excellent 37 and Joey Keysor a 40. They were matched in total score by Jacob Lee (39) and Rickey Phillips (38). When the second group finished their round, the Cougar duo of Cal Byrum (41) and Noah Krites (47) put Van Wert in the lead by nine strokes. The final pairing of Zander Coleman and Van Wert carded the Cougars fourth best score with a 46 and 49 respectively, beating their duo by six strokes and helping the Cougars to 164-172 win over the Wildcats.

The Cougars record is 1-0 in the WBL with several matches that need to be rescheduled due to rain. The Cougars return to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday for a tri-match against Ottoville and Lincolnview at the Delphos Country Club.

Random Thoughts: high school football

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

In honor of the 2026 high school football season kicking off later this week, the latest installment of Random Thoughts centers complete around prep pigskin.

Northern 8

Ohio’s only 8-man football league grew by one last week.

Due to low numbers, Plymouth High School made the decision not to play the 11-man game this fall and applied to compete in the Northern 8 Conference this season, an application that was approved.

If you’re not familiar with Plymouth, it’s a small village right on the Huron-Richland County line. It’s between Norwalk and Mansfield and its downtown is literally split by the county line. One side of Main St. is in Huron County and the other side of the street is in Richland County.

Anyway, I can’t help but think that more small schools that struggle with numbers will eventually follow suit and strongly consider or at least try the 8-man game. The 8-man game is recognized by the OHSAA but for it to be sanctioned, a lot more schools will have to make the switch.

Vanlue

Last week I told you the Vanlue school board scheduled a special meeting to discuss the 2026 football season. I’ll admit, I was fairly certain the board would vote to cancel it or perhaps try 8-man football. That wasn’t the case though. The reported 12 players on the squad wanted to at least try to play this season.

Only time will tell how this goes, but best of luck to the Wildcats.

Canceled

Another school, Oberlin, in Lorain County, canceled its season altogether due to low numbers. Reportedly, 12 players showed up for practice on August 6. The next day, just five showed up.

Oberlin has struggled on the field for quite a few years. Not all is lost for the players who wanted to play though. Six of them are suiting up for neighboring Wellington High School.

Question answered 

I want to refer back to Plymouth.

I’ve told a lot of people that Eggerss Stadium is the second most unique setting for a high school football game that I’ve seen in 37 years of covering sports. The almost college-setting home side, the fact that it’s downtown and in a residental neighborhood – you just don’t see that anymore.

VW independent tennis, golf roundup

VW independent sports

Tennis

St. Marys Memorial 4 Van Wert 1

ST. MARYS – After a week of rainouts, Van Wert was finally able to return to the courts on Monday.

Lauren Gearhart enjoyed a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Madilynn Fischbach, but Van Wert dropped a WBL match at St. Marys Memorial 4-1.

At second singles,Mackenzie Beth defeated Madilynn Thompson in a hard fought match, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The third singles match was also competitive, with Sophia Zhena of the Roughriders posting a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 win over Alli Spieles. Memorial’s first doubles team of Sophie Long and Olivia Tester topped Van Wert’s Ella Kimmel and Bristol Wollet 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, while the second doubles team of Hannah Brandt and Aleah Brandt beat Ixchelle Castillo and Annabelle Miller 6-2, 6-0.

The Cougars will host Lima Central Catholic at 4:30 p.m. today.

Boys golf

Antwerp 165 Crestview 198

At Hickory Sticks on Monday, Antwerp’s Noah Lucas shot a 39 to earn match medalist honors and the Archers defeated Crestview 165-198. Kyler Johnson was one stroke behind at 40, followed by Emerson Morrow (41) and Lincoln Lucas (45). Crestview was led by Kash Lichtensteiger, who fired a 45. Chase Feasby chipped in with a 48, followed by Maverik Hammons (51) and Zaine Cereghin (54).

Girls golf

Lincolnview 200 Antwerp 241

WOODBURN (IN) — Lincolnview’s Grace Custer earned match medalist and the Lancers defeated Antwerp 200-241 at Pond-A-River Golf Club on Monday. Custer shot a 43 and was followed by Avery Zielke (47), Eme Renner (52) and Bellamy Miller (58). Antwerp’s Madison Schmidt and Kara Pierce each shot a 53, followed by Alia Clem (61) and Alaina Reinhart (74). Edgerton and Hicksville also competed, but had just two golfers each.

Who’s ready for some high school football?

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

For many, the unofficial end of summer occurs when the high school football season kicks off and that time is just days away.

The season will actually kick off on Thursday night for 56 teams around the state. The list of games that night includes six that will be played around the area:

• Lehman Catholic at Delphos St. John’s
• Shawnee at Lima Central Catholic
• Antwerp at Montpelier
• Pandora-Gilboa at Columbus Grove
• Harvest Prep at Versailles
• Leipsic at Tiffin Calvert

The rest of the teams will play on Friday, the traditional opening night.

On the Air: radio stations WKSD/WERT

VW independent sports

The 2026 high school football season is about to kick off and here are this week’s broadcast schedules for 99.7FM WKSD and WERT 1220AM/104.3FM. Both games will air live. Both stations will also air all Ohio State football games, starting with the September 5 opener vs. Ball State.

WKSD

Friday, August 21: Paulding at Crestview (6:30 p.m. pregame, 7 p.m. kickoff)

WERT

Friday, August 21: Bryan at Van Wert (6:30 p.m. pregame, 7 p.m. kickoff)

Wanted: Monday Mailbag submissions

VW independent sports

Sports questions and comments are now being accepted for the first Monday Mailbag of the 2026 fall sports season. Questions and comments may be about any sport at any level – high school, college or pro. Submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. each Sunday. Please state if you want your name and town included or if you would like your name withheld.

Xavier Kelly scores twice in scrimmage

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

During Friday night’s annual scrimmage between Van Wert and Crestview, both teams saw some positive things and both learned the areas they need to improve in time for their respective regular season openers.

A positive for Van Wert – the Cougars return their entire backfield and top two receivers from last year. An area that needs work – the offensive line, which lost three starters to graduation.

“They’re getting there,” Van Wert head coach Keith Recker said of his offensive line. “From where we were in June and July, they continue to get better, they ask questions, they’re a very smart group and they want to know what they need to do to keep getting better. Come Week No. 5 it’ll be a completely different looking group, but we’re athletic up front and they’re hard workers.”

Recker also noted he wants to see continued improvement from his defense.

“Out of our base front I thought we played pretty well but we tried to get into a three-man front and we have some work there,” he said. “We have to be able to stop the run.”

Meanwhile, the Crestview Knights lost more than 90 percent of last year’s yards to graduation, including running back Braxton Leeth, who rushed for nearly 2,300 hundred yards and 33 touchdowns. However, the Knights have four of their five starting offensive linemen back from last year.

“I’ve been very up front with that group,” Crestview head coach Cole Harting said of his offensive line. “They’re what we’ll rely on while our skill guys develop experience.”

“I thought we played better as a team tonight than we played last week,” Harting continued. “We just have to be better every single day, so I’m proud of the improvement from our first scrimmage to the second scrimmage. Obviously there’s still some things to work on – we need to finish tackles. We missed a couple that resulted in big plays for them.”

Scrimmage time…

Van Wert and Crestview met at Eggerss Stadium Friday night. The scrimmage served as the final preseason tune-up ahead of next week’s regular season opener. The first two quarters were treated like a real game and the Cougars outscored the Knights 21-12. Bob Barnes photos