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Friday night will be a battle of the cats as the Panthers visit the Gilbert Tigers for the second meeting between the schools on record.
Last season, Creston trounced the Tigers 49-17.
The Panthers have opened their season with a 3-0 start for the first time since 2016.
“I think it represents the work the kids put in during the offseason,” Creston head coach Brian Morrison said. “I believe (summer camp at)Northwest Missouri State is a game changer for our program. We’re two months in and the kids understand what it takes to win games. I’m pleased with how they show up to practice and perform.”
During last season’s matchup, then junior Tiger quarterback Owen Kautman completed 53.6% of his passes (15-28) for 155 yards, one touchdown and he threw a pair of interceptions.
This season, Kautman has completed 47.2% (17-36) of his passes for 305 yards, as well as a trio of touchdown passes and zero interceptions.
“They’re completely different,” Morrison said. “Last year they were a spread team. Gilbert has a solid program and last year they had an off year. The offensive scheme is completely different as they line up in the wishbone and load the box. In the last three games we’ve scouted them, it’s consistently the same scheme it’s just how they do it.”
On the training grounds, coach Morrison has seen a night and day difference between effort given.
“I felt not so good about Tuesday’s practice, our kids started slow and finished strong,” he said. “Tonight (Wednesday) was the best practice we’ve had all year. Our kids are locked in and they understand that it’s not about who we’re playng about it’s about them as individuals playing their best game. I think we’re almost at that point and we’ll see Friday the difference between being a good team and being a great team. Hopefully that shows Friday.”
Kautman’s favorite target, at least on paper, appears to be No. 10 Owen Wirth. In last season’s game, Wirth had six receptions for 64 yards against the Panthers. So far this season, Wirth has 14 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
However, being in the wishbone means the Tigers are run heavy as they have 107 of their 127 plays from scrimmage that are on the ground.
“When Thursday’s all said done, the kids will have seen every snap and every formation that we’ve seen on film,” Morrison said. “There’s always wrinkles that teams will show us, but, we’ve got to stop the run first and foremost. We’ve got to get them in situations were they’re uncomfortable and be disciplined in the secondary. We stress to the kids halfback passes, key slips so playing the schedule we’ve played they understand the opponent.”
Gilbert is 1-2 on the season.
“The scoreboard will take care of itself,” Morrison said. “It’s a big game for us, it’s our last non-district game. Getting out of the gates 4-0 would be amazing but it’s going to take a great performance from us to do it. They beat Carroll, they got beat by ADM but that game was tight at half (22-7). They also got beat a really good Bondurant team that could win 4A. It’s a team that’s 1-2, but, they’ve played really good teams. We’re excited for it, new place, haven’t been there and I’ve heard it’s great facilities.”
Lineups
Creston(3-0, 2-0 Hawkeye 10)
OFFENSE
T Max Chapman
6-4 240 Jr.
G Austin Seaton
6-0 195 Sr.
C Jagger Luther
5-8 210 Jr.
G Tucker Rohrig
6-1 215 Jr.
T Quinten Fuller
6-2 235 Jr.
WR Brandon Briley
5-8 145 Jr.
WR McCoy Haines
5-9 145 Jr.
WR Dylan Calvin
6-0 165 Jr.
QB Kyle Strider
6-2 185 Sr.
RB Brennan Hayes 6-0 180 Jr.
H Will Bolinger
5-9 180 Jr.
PAT/FG Brennan Hayes 6-0 Jr.
DEFENSE
DL Max Chapman 6-4 240 Jr.
DL Quinten Fuller
6-2 235 Jr.
DL Payton Conley 6-0 160 Sr.
LB Austin Evans
5-8 150 Jr.
LB Ty Morrison
6-0 185 Sr.
LB Austin Seaton
6-0 195 Sr.
LB Cade Wurster
5-10 170 Sr.
SEC McCoy Haines 5-9 145 Jr.
SEC Dylan Calvin
6-0 165 Jr.
SEC Gannon Greenwalt 6-0 185 Sr.
SEC Cael Turner 6-2 165 Jr.
P Dylan Calvin 6-0 165 Jr.
Series history
2021, Creston 49, Gilbert 17.