CONVOY — Jefferson came into Friday night’s Northwest Conference matchup with Crestview unbeaten, while the Knights hadn’t won a game and were missing three starters.
The Wildcats didn’t suffer any letdowns, crushing the Knights 49-0 at the Crestview Athletic Complex.
The visitors (6-0, 5-0 NWC) forced six turnovers and compiled 380 yards of offense, 316 rushing.
“We came in and played well the first quarter on both sides of the ball. We had a bit of a letdown offensively the second period,” Jefferson coach Damon Ulm explained. “We challenged the offensive line to come out and have two good series the second half, to do things the right way. The defense just played well again.”
They harassed new quarterback Cody Hagaman — in the shotgun all night with 4- and 5-wide receivers — into a 9-of-30 passing night for 120 yards and picked him off five times. They also sacked him six times.
“Jefferson is an amazing, fantastic team,” Crestview coach Jason Cross commented. “Their coaching staff does an amazing job. My kids battled an amazing team tonight.”
Only a fumble recovered by Ian Clay deep in Crestview (0-6, 0-4) territory prevented the Wildcats from scoring on their first drive.
The hosts gave it right back, with Mike Rahrig intercepting a short pass at the host 46. They scored in six plays. Aaron Schuerman (11 rushes, 112 yards) bulled over left guard from a yard out. Matt Antalis made it 7-0 with 6:52 showing on the first-period clock.
Jefferson used the big play to get on board on its next drive. Starting at its 24, Bubba Shivley (5 totes, 84 yards) ran for three. He then took a handoff from quarterback Josh Miller over right guard. He kept going to the outside, found the sideline, jumped over the last defender at the 15 and finished it in the end zone. Antalis put the lead at 14-0 with 4:45 on the clock.
Schuerman set up the offense at the host 37 with an interception. This time, the Red and White needed five plays to take advantage, overcoming an illegal block penalty that wiped out a 30-yard TD run by Miller (4-of-5 passing, 64 yards). The real score came from his arm. At the 33, he mini-rolled left and threw down the left numbers to Matt Gerdeman. The senior caught the pigskin at the 5 and easily scored. Antalis made it 21-0 with no time remaining in the first.
On a possession that began with 8:49 on the clock, Crestview went from its 25 to the Jefferson 20, keyed by a pass interference penalty, but Schuerman came up with another pick at the 15.
The visitors were forced to punt but a fumble on the catch was recovered at the Knight 25 by Gerdeman. A play hence at the 20, Miller rolled to his right and hit Schuerman in the right flat at the 10. He easily found the pylon. Antalis made it 28-0 with 3:51 left in the half.
On the drive, Shivley was shaken up and carted off the field. He was taken to the hospital for X-rays.
“I don’t know what the injury is but we’re a bit banged up right now. We do have some depth,” Ulm continued.
Pinned deep, Daniel Lichtensteiger’s punt was blocked by Rahrig, with Sean Osting grabbing it in the back of the end zone for the TD with 1:44 showing. Antalis made the halftime bulge 35-0.
Ryan Kortokrax picked off a Hagaman aerial to start the third period and returned it 16 yards to the host 9. Schuerman immediately swept right end and found paydirt. Antalis added the kick for a 42-0 spread with 10:35 showing in the third.
Andy Wiltsie picked off another pass at the Jefferson 39. That set up a 6-play drive to finish off the scoring. At the Crestview 5, Miller rolled right and found Eric Short at the goal line with 5:32 on the clock. Antalis tacked on the final point.
Jefferson’s second-teamers and further backups got ample playing time the rest of the way.
“We just want to get better, no matter the situation or the opponent,” Ulm added. “We have a big game coming up next week with Columbus Grove. They are the most physical team I’ve seen to date. It’s going to be a hard-fought game.”
Jefferson hosts the Bulldogs Friday.
Crestview is at Ada.