CONVOY – The Crestview Knights made a deep run into the state play-offs last season, reaching the regional finals before falling in double overtime to McComb.
Coach Jared Owens knows that was last year and now it is time for this year’s team to step up and leave their imprint on the Crestview record books.
The Knights return Drew Kline, one of the better ball handlers in the area, at quarterback. Kline paced the Crestview offense last year rushing for 1,630 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also threw for 1,680 yards and 16 scores.
Kline was 1st team Northwest Conference, 1st team all-district, and third team all-Ohio last season as a sophomore.
Trevor Gibson leads the rushing attack while Wade Sheets and Grant Schlagbaum will be prime targets for Kline from their receiver positions. Gibson rushed for 465 yards and five touchdowns last year.
“We have experience at the skill positions; we will use that to play well in space and lead the offense.” Owens said. “Our seniors are providing a leadership role to continue our success.”
Crestview’s offense averaged 33.2 points a game last year and the Knights were first in total yards in the NWC, averaging 381.3 yards pergame. Crestview was third in yards rushing with 2,542.
The offensive and defensive lines both lost a lot to graduation so it will be an imperative for the new linemen to step up and perform.
Linemen expected to contribute include Brayden Sellers, Robbie Gonzalez, Dylan Hicks, Micah Snyder, and Korbin Hartman.
The Knights will operate out of the I-Formation while on offense and the 3-4 alignment on defense.
In 2016, Crestview was second in total yards allowed (219.8 yards a game), second in yards allowed rushing (121.8 yards a game and second in yards passing allowed (98 yards a game).
Linebackers returning to provide experience include Schlagbaum, Gibson, Luke Mefferd, Snyder, and Hartman.
Owens looks for another tough season playing in the Northwest Conference.
“It (the NWC) is as good as ever, the last three or four years have been very consistent from top to bottom.” Owens said. “It is always very competitive week in and out and I look for more of the same this season.”
Owens mentioned attitude when describing his overall expectation for the Knights this year.
“We need to play as hard as we can with a winners attitude.” Owens said. “We need to develop the attitude to be prepared and capable enough to win every game.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
