Unbeaten Patriots rip Crestview 38-7
11/2/2008HAMLER - Patrick Henry's defense smothered Ashland Crestview last night as the Patriots rolled to a 38-7 victory in a Division V state playoff first-round game.
The Patriots intercepted four passes - two by Mitch Leonard and two by Justin Buenger - and held the Cougars to 95 total yards.
The victory pushed PH's record to 11-0 and gave coach Bill Inselmann his 150th victory.
"That just means that we've had some great football teams, some great young men, a lot of support from the community and some great assistant coaches," said Inselmann, whose record is 150-51.
Buenger gained 143 yards on 22 carries and became Patrick Henry's single-season rushing leader with 1,518. The old mark was held by Josh Strub, who had 1,503 in 2005.
Buenger scored the game's first touchdown on a 26-yard run.
Later in the first quarter, following an interception by Leonard, Buenger scored a 73-yard run.
Luke Creager's 28-yard field goal gave PH a 17-0 lead after the first.
The Patriots scored two more TDs in the second quarter - a three-yard run by Nick Powers and a 17-yard pass from Luke George to Leonard.
In the fourth quarter, George connected with Leonard on a 48-yard scoring strike.
Nicholas Manocchio caught a 28-yard TD pass from Matt Hall for Crestview (9-2).
Crestview had gained only nine yards by halftime and didn't pick up a first down until midway through the third quarter. PH finished with 415 yards (246 rushing, 169 passing).
"The defense was wonderful. You can win a lot of game, especially in the playoffs, with good defense," Inselmann said.