ASHTABULA — On Saturday, the Crestline Bulldogs hit the road for their second meeting of the 2018 season with the Ashtabula St. John Fighting Herald.
After blowing out the Fighting Herald on their home field a few weeks ago, Crestline would be tested on Saturday but would come away with the week nine victory; 18-16. With the victory, the Bulldogs improve to 4-5 overall on the season.
The home team would score first thanks to a 25-yard field goal for the only points by either team in the opening quarter. In the second, it would be St. John finding the scoreboard again with a 29-yard touchdown run. The extra-point missed but the Fighting Herald would take a 9-0 lead into halftime thanks to a stout defensive stand.
In the third quarter though, Crestline would get on the board as Ethan Clum ran in a five yard touchdown and, despite the missed PAT by Logan Parrella, found themselves down just 9-6 heading into the final quarter of regulation.
Dakota Wireman would give the ‘Dogs their first lead of the contest, breaking off an 18-yard run into the endzone. The extra-point attempt from Parrells was no good but Crestline was up; 12-9. Moments later, Clum found the endzone again on a 23-yard run. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the visiting Bulldogs were now ahead; 18-9. St. John made a push towards the end of the contest but it was too little, too late, despite a 34-yard aerial score and the added PAT that brought the score to what would be the final; 18-16.
The Fighting Herald would rack up more yardage than Crestline on the day (234-215) but the ‘Dogs still earned the win, despite committing three turnovers (one lost fumble, two Ty Clark interceptions. Crestline finished with negative yardage through the air (-6 yards) but gained 221 yards thanks to their ground attack.
Clum led the ground game for the blue and white, recording 125 yards on 13 carries, good for two touchdowns. Caleb Moore was also active out of the backfield, gaining 53 yards on 10 carries. Wireman finished with the one touchdown and 34 yards on just four carries.
Defensively, the ‘Dogs notched three sacks by Clum, Parrella and Matthew Oehrli and racked up five total tackles for a loss. Jaden Stewart and Kaden Ronk each recorded one interception for the Crestline defense in the low-scoring victory.
The Bulldogs will return home for the 2018 regular season finale as they play host to Troy Christian on Friday, October 26.
