January 06, 2025

Middle school football

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Members of the 2015 Creston/O-M 7th grade football team are front row, from left: Hunter Arendt, Tyson Stuart, Evan Bruce, Colby Burg, Brayden Fitzgerald, Ethan Freeman, Britain Miller, Kaden Bolton, Connor Travis, Rhodey Fechter and Nathaniel Wells. Middle row, from left: Matthew Parks, Jacob Daeges, Hunter Patterson, Brodie Wallace, Brance Baker, Cole Strider, Kolby Hulett, Garon Wurster, Kaden Briggs, Cameron Rutherford, Blake Thompson and Cody Robertson. Back row, from left: Coach Dick Clark, Korbyn Ringer, Wiley Ray, Keaton Street, Jackson Kinsella, Logan Osterhout, Cael Kralik, Andy Weis, Gavin Shawler, Keagan Smith, Jonathan Kendrick, Steven Mills, Daniel Altman and assistant coach Jerry Hartman. (CNA photo)

7th grade

ATLANTIC — An undefeated Atlantic team handed the Creston/O-M seventh-graders their first defeat on Oct. 20, 36-0.

“It was a tough day for the boys and us as coaches,” said Creston/O-M assistant coach Jerry Hartman. “The boys have prepared well and played hard all season. They just came out flat and each time we managed to get a little momentum, penalties took that momentum away. I told the boys it is only a loss if they don’t take it to heart and learn from it. I’m very proud to have coached this fine group of young men.

Head coach Dick Clark agreed that it wasn’t his team’s best day of a 5-1 season.

“We came off the bus flatter than a pancake, and subsequently got pancaked,” Clark said. “After the previous week’s blowout of Glenwood we came in with a sense of security and there’s nothing secure in the Hawkeye 10. It was an unfortunate end to a fine year and we’ll learn from it and get ‘em next year at home.”

The Panthers finished with -21 yards rushing, led by Garon Wurster’s 14. The Panther offense was 0-of-11 passing. Brance Baker had nine tackles for the defense, including two for losses. Jackson Kinsella and Baker had sacks.

In the B game, Creston/O-M used a solid rushing attack to gain a 6-0 victory. Kaden Bolton scored the only touchdown of the game on a 6-yard run. The Panther defense was tough up the middle with Matthew Parks, Wiley Ray, Hunter Patterson all playing well. Connor Travis finished with eight tackles, including two for losses and a fumble recovery on a kickoff. Brayden Fitzgerald’s pass interception and 7-yard return secured the win.

“Those boys stepped it up today,” Hartman said. “They went out and played hard and did what they needed to do.”

A game

Atlantic 36, Creston/O-M 0

Rushing — Garon Wurster 4-14; Kolby Hulett 6-6; Cael Kralik 6-(-21), Cole Strider 1-(-20).

Passing — Kralik 0-9-1, Hulett 0-1-0, Strider 0-1-1.

Tackles (solo-assists) — Brance Baker 5-4, Jackson Kinsella 5-3, Steven Mills 6-1, Hulett 4-2, Wurster 2-2, Andy Weis 3-1, Colby Burg 3-0, Logan Osterhout 3-0, Keegan Smith 2-0.

Tackles for loss — Baker 2, Mills 1, Kinsella 1, Weis 1, Wurster 1.

Sacks — Kinsella 1, Baker 1.

Fumble recoveries — Osterhout 1, Baker 1.

B game

Creston/O-M 6, Atlantic 0

Rushing — Kaden Bolton 12-56, 1 TD; Cole Strider 8-35; Nathaniel Wells 1-6; Kaden Briggs 1-4.

Passing — Strider 1-7-1 for 16 yards.

Receiving — Nathaniel Wells 1-16.

Tackles (solo-assists) — Connor Travis 6-2, Wells 3-3, Hunter Patterson 2-2, Brodie Wallace 2-2, Matt Parks 3-1, Wiley Ray 2-1, Kaden Bolton 2-1, Ethan Freeman 0-2, Rhodney Fechter 1-1.

Tackles for loss — Travis 2.

Interception — Brayden Fitzgerald 1.

Pass breakup — Patterson 1.

Fumble recoveries — Parks 1, Travis 1.

8th grade

Atlantic edged the Creston/O-M eighth-graders, 26-24, in the season finale on Oct. 20.

The Panthers won the B game, 14-6.

“I couldn’t be mad at the boys for their effort in this game,” said Creston/O-M coach Anthony Donahoo. “Five lead changes. It was really about who had the ball last. We ran out of time at the end after driving 60 yards in a minute. Great effort from all the kids in both games, with a good win in the B game. Everyone on our team got better this year and that’s what you look for in eighth grade.”

A game

Atlantic 26, Creston/O-M 24

Rushing — Eli Loudon 11-96, 1 TD; Brayton Chestnut 16-70, 1 TD.

Passing — Loudon 7-17 for 87 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving — Camden Peterson 4-44; Andy Mills 2-29, 1 TD; Brant Looney 1-14.

Tackles — Andy Mills 14, Drew Keller 12, Austin Bloyd 4, Loudon 4, Ashton Wills 3, Devin Baker 2, Peterson 2, Luke Latham 2, Eli Hartman 2, Spencer Lane 2.

Fumble recoveries — Baker 1, Brant Looney 1.

B game

Creston/O-M 14, Atlantic 6

Rushing — Hunter Fry 4-19, 1 TD.

Passing — Gavin Gillam 1-2 for 25 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving — Jared Moreland 1-25, 1 TD.

Tackles — Logan Gist 3, Kolbie Jarvis 3, Duane Cole 3, Tyler Alford 2, Beau Thompson 2, Sam Chapman 2, Ayden Filer 1, Jack Frey 1.

Sacks — Chapman 1.

Interceptions — Frey 1.