It’s not fair to compare

As the Panthers prepare to host Lewis Central in their home football opener tomorrow, I can’t help but wonder what the mutterings will look like if the game doesn’t go their way.

Let’s face it — LC is a powerhouse. They are the defending state champions in a class larger than us. They easily handled Harlan 31-10 in week one. If Creston football was on Draft Kings or FanDuel, we would not be favored to win.

For some people, the Panthers starting 0-2 will be reason enough to discredit this season as a “rebuilding year.” And while this season certainly is a rebuild, the team shouldn’t be dismissed based on early performances.

I know this is largely due to the success the team had last season. The community rallied around the team who made it to the UNI-Dome for only the second time in Panther history. But it’s not fair to compare this team with that one. That team had the most seniors in program history — 25. That team had the most all-state players in program history — seven.

Cael Turner broke the single-season passing yard school record and had the most in Class 3A. Brennan Hayes led Class 3A with 2,470 all-purpose yards. Max Chapman’s 26.5 tackles for loss led Class 3A. Dylan Calvin’s six interceptions led Class 3A. Brandon Briley set numerous Panther records — receptions in a season (52), receiving yards in a season (897), TD receptions (13), career receptions (91), career wide receiver yards (1,621) and career wide receiver touchdowns (17).

A team like that doesn’t come around often. You may be a fan for years and never see a team like that. To compare this team to that team is to do a disservice to the boys wearing the jersey.

If you only look at the score, the Panthers got their butts kicked by Winterset in week one, losing 31-6. Until the fourth quarter, it looked as though the team would be shut out.

But if you were at the game or you read my story, you’d know there were a lot of great things happening on that football field for a team competing together for the first time. Because while they were fortunate to have the leaders they did in last year’s senior class, it also meant most of them didn’t see varsity playing time when they would have if they were at any other school.

They sat on the sidelines, giving last year’s class a chance to shine and make Panther history. And now, they’re trying to play catch up as quickly as they can.

Winterset came out quick on offense against us, but even though they put together several first downs on the first drive, our defense was able to rally and force a turnover on downs. Though the Huskies put up 31 on us, I was really impressed with our defense.

I was initially concerned with senior Tyler Riley being moved to the secondary because of his height, but he was breaking up passes left and right, guarding a tight end nearly 10 inches taller than him. He posted the second-highest number of tackles for the Panthers. Of course I knew Lucas Travis would do well as one of our few returning starters. He led the defense in tackles.

I was also really impressed with sophomore Davin Wallace. I watched him run track last season so when he was chasing down a Husky headed for the end zone, I knew he would catch him — and he did. Lane Travis was another kid in the secondary I was impressed with. I think in my head I’ll always see him as the 106-pound freshman wrestler, but he was also able to hold his own, highlighted by a fantastic pass breakup in the end zone.

On the offense, of course running back Weston Trapp did a fantastic job as always. It took him a bit to find a groove, but that also may have been the team figuring out how best to support around him.

I was surprised by quarterback Tanner Ray. As a sophomore and a first-year starter, I worried he would be too hesitant, but I thought he made really smart moves. He found short passes to Casen Dryden to keep the sticks moving. Eventually a 21-yard pass to Xander Drake would get the Panthers on the board.

I’ve had the fortune to watch this group of seniors and juniors for three years. It amazes me how well they grow and mature, and I know that’s because of the parents, teachers and role models they have in their lives.

One of my first memories of Brayden Schoon was this loud sophomore yelling “dirty ball” from the dugout during Panthers baseball games. Now, he’s a vocal leader on the football field, getting his teammates fired up and being a mentor to the underclassmen. Though the Panthers are a platooning football team (you either play offense or defense, not both), Schoon may be relied on for the offensive and defensive line as two defensive linemen recover from injury.

No matter what happens against LC, remember we beat them last year and they still came away with a state title. I’m not saying this team is on its way to a state championship, but I am saying, let them learn. Let them find out their identity. There are a lot of great things happening if you look beyond the score or the record.