Panthers look ahead at year-end banquet

After a 3-6 record, Creston/O-M head Brian Morrison continued to reiterate just how proud he was of his team for never giving up throughout the season at the year end banquet Sunday at the Creston Community High School commons.

The Panthers stayed competitive with nearly everyone on their schedule and can only head into the offseason with another sense of the growth they’ve gained through another year of football.

Creston/O-M football placed 10 on the all-district team as well as three different athletes on the all-academic team.

The Panther head coach stopped to talk about each of his 12 seniors individually and their commitment to the program.

Morrison also thanked the assistant coaches, parents, athletic trainers, booster club and high school staff and administration for their help over the course of another football season.

“We were young at a lot of spots this year, but we were good young,” said Morrison. “We’re looking forward to the future of Creston football with these kids right here.

“I’m excited for next year because of this year,” added Morrison.

The head coach mentioned just how deep the sophomore class was as injuries forced one sophomore to replace another late in the season.

Once again the Creston/O-M football program was recognized by the IAHSAA for its academics as the team achieved an overall GPA of 3.25.

The Junior Varsity team got plenty of praise from the coaching staff for its continued effort to prep the varsity squad while serving as the scout team.

“They never gave up and they competed. I was proud of them and how they prepare the varsity for every Friday night,” said coach Steve Shantz.

For the freshman team, coach Kevin Cooper and Morrison praised their work on the year.

“I think the group that we have has a positive future when they start blending with other classes in front of them and behind them,” said Cooper.

The freshman team ended the year with a record of 1-5-2.

Morrison was proud of the fact that the freshman team didn’t have to be supplemented with sophomores to finish the year, the first time that has happened in Morrison’s coaching career at Creston.

Varsity letterwinners — Seniors: Kylan Smallwood (4), Kendall Crawford (3), Trevor Kinyon (3), Hank Looney (3), James McDonald (3), Austin Nguyen (3), Walker Patterson (3), Mark Waigand (3), Payton Pryor (2), Tristan Travis (2), Sheldon Jones (1), Beau Barncastle (1). Juniors: Eli Loudon (3), Rylan Luther (3), Brayton Chesnut (2), Ayden Filer (2), Hayden Green (2), Eli Hartman (2), Luke Latham (2), Andrew Mills (2), Camden Peterson (2), Logan Shady (2), Gavin Gilliam (2), Sam Chapman (1), Jacob Rushing (1). Sophomores: Garon Wurster (2), Brance Baker (1), Kaden Bolton (1), Evan Bruce (1), Colby Burg (1), Ethan Freeman (1), Jackson Gerdes (1), Kolby Hulett (1), Cael Kralik (1), Adam McElwain (1), Britain Miller (1), Hunter Patterson (1), Dan Richards (1), Andy Weis (1), Wiley Ray (1), Gavin Shawler (1), Keagan Msith (1), Cole Strider (1), Tyson Stuart (1), Connor Travis (1), Brodie Wallace (1), Hunter Walter (1). Freshmen: Chris Wilson (1).

Participation award — Payten Bierle, Kane Bowers, Andre Davis, Avery Fuller, Briley Hayes, Kayleb Howard, Gunnar Millslagle, Chase Parascando, Derek Paup, Owen Richards, Erick Rodriguez-Rosario, Gage Skarda, Tyson Smith, Brandon Stull, Lucas Veatch, Chris Wells, Skyler Wilson.

Class 3A District 7 all-district team — 1st team: Kylan Smallwood. 2nd team: Sam Chapman, Kendall Crawford, Kolby Hulett, Eli Loudon, Rylan Luther, Garon Wurster, Cael Kralik. Honorable mention: Tristan Travis, Andy Weis.

Offensive MVP — Eli Loudon.

Defensive MVP — Rylan Luther.

Special teams MVP — Cael Kralik.

Scout team MVP — Connor Travis.

Team captains — Kylan Smallwood, James McDonald, Kendall Crawford, Hank Looney.

District all-academic — Austin Nguyen-Schnormeier, Payton Pryor, Mark Waigand.