Crestline dominates special teams in win over Vanlue

VANLUE – Vanlue coach John Kloepfer didn't mince words after the Wildcats lost, 48-6, to Crestline Thursday. "Special teams absolutely killed us tonight," Kloepfer said. "That can't happen. Crestline 's Kordaie Robinson returned Vanlue's opening kickoff 65 yards to the end zone. It was the first of three special teams TDs for the Bulldogs. After Quentin Kapp scored on a 45 yard run to put Crestline up 14-0 with 8:49 left in the first quarter, Weston Clark came up with a pair of big plays for the Bulldogs. Clark returned two punts for touchdowns in the first quarter, returning kicks of 50 and 75 yards. The Bulldogs led 29-0 after the first quarter, and 36-0 at the half, following a 36-yard touchdown dash by Crestline quarterback Kody Lawhorn. Vanlue did have some positives in the game. "I think as the game went on, we did get better," Kloepfer said. "We were able to move the ball. In the first half, we had 46 yards total, which for us compared to last week (a loss to Leetonia), is a lot better." The Wildcats also scored their first touchdown of the season. In the fourth quarter, Jonas Carron punctuated a drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. That run came after some effective plays on the ground from the Wildcats Josh Herrin and Brady Hamilton. Kloepfer said Vanlue has shown it can move the ball, but that "anytime we have a negative play of a penalty, we're in trouble." Crestline got a pair of second half touchdown runs from Keaton McGlothlin. McGlothlin scored on bursts of 24 and 42 yards, the latter coming on the final play of the game. Vanlue (0-2) will travel to play New London next Friday. Crestline (1-1) will travel to Mapleton.