CONVOY – Crestview entered last year’s playoffs as the No. 14 seed and few outside of Convoy expected too much from the Knights.
But they battled Lima Central Catholic to a gut-wrenching, final-second 13-7 first-round loss.
The game didn’t end until LCC stopped the Knights’ Isaac Kline after a 4-yard gain at the LCC 2-yard line on the final play of the game.
Kline’s run was the Knights’ 19th play of the drive.
In the playoff game, Kline had 26 carries for 154 yards and a 35-yard TD.
Kline shared the running back job with graduated Nick Helt last year, but it’s Kline’s full-time job this year.
On the year, Kline ran for 587 yards and two TDs.
“There’s not a week that goes by since last November that he (Kline) doesn’t tell me if we need two more yards again, it’s not going to be a problem,” Crestview coach James Lautzenheiser said. “Ike is a between-the-tackles runner. And he had the hot hand and was running downhill in the playoff game.’’
Against LCC, Crestview quarterback Carson Hunter started and threw for 66 yards.
Last year’s starting quarterback J.J. Ward, who graduated, battled knee problems and was in and out of the lineup.
Hunter played five games last year and is the full-time starter this season.
“There were games last year he (Hunter) didn’t know until Thursday if he was going to start,” Lautzenheiser said. “In games he knew he was going to be the true starter, he started to grow up and it paid off for us.
“This year he’s not going to have to worry about not knowing. He’s going to be that leader.’’
Crestview will again run the spread, with anywhere from two to four wide receivers.
No matter the look, the Knights need to replace five all-Northwest Conference players, including first team offensive lineman Mason Penix.
Second team, all-NWC graduated players were running back Helt, offensive lineman Landin Friemoth, defensive lineman Trevon Barton and tight end/linebacker Ayden Lichtensteiger.
Also gone are wide receivers Rontae Jackson and Hunter Rothgeb.
“We lost 13 seniors and you don’t get those spots magically filled,” Lautzenheiser said.
The good news for the Knights is seven starters return on offense.
Four return with experience on the offensive line in tackle Tanner Short, Connor Sheets, guard Donovan Wreath and center Wesyn Ludwig.
Junior Kellin Putnam returns at wide receiver. He had 17 catches for 271 yards and two TDs last year.
“He’s (Putnam) our top vertical threat,” Lautzenheiser said.
Also in the wide receiver mix are Parker Spieth, Wren Sheets and Hunter Jones.
“I told Dylan Henry (the quarterbacks coach and passing-game coordinator) he can have any formation he wants, as long as I can run behind it,” Lautzenheiser said.
The defense will primarily have a 4-2-5 look, featuring nine returning starters.
Returnee Wren Sheets, a 6-foot-7 sophomore, could cause havoc from his defensive end spot.
“We have tremendous length at defensive end,” Lautzenheiser said. “I want him (Sheets) to get in the face of the quarterback.’’
Also back up front is nose guard Wreath.
The linebacking unit returns Kline, Bryson Penix and middle linebacker Ludwig.
Ludwig will call the defensive plays and will also anchor the offensive line at center.
“He’s (Ludwig) the heart of our team,” Lautzenheiser said.
The Knights will have plenty of experience in the secondary with Hunter and Spieth at cornerbacks and Hunter Jones and Jaret Harting at safeties.
One of the Knights’ goals is to improve on their 3-4 mark in the Northwest Conference.
“We know that a winning record in the NWC should prepare us for the opportunity to compete in the playoffs,” Lautzenheiser said.
“We hope to host a playoff game in the first and second round.’
CRESTVIEW
Coach: James Lautzenheiser
Year at School, Record: 2nd year (6-5)
Last year’s record: 6-5 (3-4 NWC)
Division: VII
Returning Lettermen: 14
Returning Starters: Carson Hunter (Sr., QB/CB); Isaac Kline (Jr., RB/LB); Tanner Short (Sr., OL); Donovan Wreath (Sr., G/NG); Kellin Putnam (Jr., WR); Wesyn Ludwig (Sr., C/MLB); Wren Sheets (Soph., DE); Bryson Penix (Soph., LB); Hunter Jones (Jr., S); Jaret Harting (Jr., FS); Parker Spieth (Sr., CB).
Offense: Spread/pistol, 1-back
Defense: 4-2-5
Players to Watch: In part-time action, Isaac Kline ran for 587 yards, including 154 on 26 carries with one TD in the playoff loss to Lima Central Catholic. Center/middle linebacker Wesyn Ludwig (6-1, 220) is the team leader on both sides of the ball.
Top Newcomers: Preston Kreischer (Jr., OL/DL); Connor Tussing (Sr., OL/DL); Nate Friemoth (Jr., OL/DL); Levi Grace (Jr., QB/RB/DB); Garrett Yinger (Jr., OL/DL); Evan Walls (Jr., OL/DL); David Cereghin (Soph., OL/DL); Braxton Leeth (Fr., RB/WR/LB); Liam Putnam (TE/LB); Hayden Perrott (WR/DB).
SCHEDULE
August 19 – at Parkway
August 26 – at Hicksville
September 2 – Wayne Trace
September 9 – Allen East
September 16 – at Delphos Jefferson
September 23 – Bluffton
September 30 – Columbus Grove
October 7 – at Spencerville
October 14 – at Ada
October 21 – at Leipsic
All games start at 7 p.m.
