December 19, 2024

Panthers face No. 1 Titans

Both teams rallied in openers

By LARRY PETERSON
The Creston freshman football team will face Lewis Central at 3:45 p.m. Friday at Titan Stadium prior to the 7 p.m. varsity game. Members of the Creston team are, front row from left, GJ Wright, Adrian Lillie, Carlos Tellez-Page, Terrance Taylor, Nico Leppla, Durrell Haynes, Colby Brammer and Hayden Levine. Second row, Randy Shady, Rohm Carter, coach Jake Baudler, coach Nate Haley, coach Alex Tamerius, Hayden Jones and Kayden DeLong. Third row, Coltyr Frey, Cason Scarberry, Joaquin Flores, Tanner Ray, Davin Wallace and Brodie Pashek. Fourth row, Hunter Kiley, Blake Hayes, Baret Lane, Layne Sand, Ryder Sharp and Rhett Driskell.

The Creston freshman football team will face Lewis Central at 3:45 p.m. Friday at Titan Stadium prior to the 7 p.m. varsity game. Members of the Creston team are, front row from left, GJ Wright, Adrian Lillie, Carlos Tellez-Page, Terrance Taylor, Nico Leppla, Durrell Haynes, Colby Brammer and Hayden Levine. Second row, Randy Shady, Rohm Carter, coach Jake Baudler, coach Nate Haley, coach Alex Tamerius, Hayden Jones and Kayden DeLong. Third row, Coltyr Frey, Cason Scarberry, Joaquin Flores, Tanner Ray, Davin Wallace and Brodie Pashek. Fourth row, Hunter Kiley, Blake Hayes, Baret Lane, Layne Sand, Ryder Sharp and Rhett Driskell. Not pictured are Drake Wilson, Josh Bunz and Michael Wolford. (Larry Peterson)

Lewis Central’s newly-renovated field will be the site of a matchup of state-ranked football teams Friday night.

Coming off a come-from-behind 21-20 victory over Class 3A defending state champion Harlan, Lewis Central is ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 4A on this week’s Associated Press poll. Creston sits at No. 10 in Class 3A after dominating the fourth quarter in a 36-17 triumph over area rival Winterset last week.

Harlan took advantage of a fumble and pass interception in the first quarter, including a touchdown on the interception, in bolting to a 14-0 lead over Lewis Central in the opener. The Titans closed it to 14-12 at halftime but fell behind again 20-12. The Titans scored the final nine points for the 21-20 win.

“Our defense was lights out, they played amazing and kept us in the ballgame, allowing our offense to figure itself out and get things going,” Lewis Central coach Justin Kammrad told the Council Bluffs Nonpareil.

The game was the first for the Titans in their stadium featuring new turf and a new scoreboard. Jimmy Scott hit three field goals for Lewis Central from 37, 35 and 32 yards.

Both LC and Creston rallied for victories behind first-year starting quarterbacks who played effectively last week. With Braylon Kammrad graduated and now on the UNI football team, junior Brady Hetzel made his debut for the Titans last week with 13 completions in 23 passes for 226 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Senior Curtis Witte, a Wayne State commit, hauled in six passes for 152 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown.

“It was a quick out route, the Harlan kid missed the tackle and it was a touchdown,” Creston coach Brian Morrison said. “They have two good receivers and the quarterback threw the ball well. They want to run the football and they were moving the ball consistently last week.”

Chance Chappell carried 12 times for 78 yards and a touchdown against Harlan. He shares time in the backfield with senior Kamdyn Cross, son of Kadon (1993 Creston graduate) and Jodi Cross.

Lewis Central outgained Harlan last week, 329-242 in total yards.

“Harlan was trying to establish the run and Lewis Central played good run defense,” Morrison said. “They are big and physical up front. Their secondary wants to jam, which makes it tough to get into your route progression. To sustain drives we need to be in position to keep moving the sticks and not get in second and long or third and long situations too often.”

The Panthers showed offensive balance in last week’s win over Winterset. Senior Cael Turner, back at quarterback after playing receiver and defensive back the past two years, had a big first game in completing 20 of 26 passes for 206 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers had no turnovers. All-state running back Brennan Hayes contributed 201 yards on the ground in 23 carries. Overall, Creston rushed for 237 yards.

Josh Schaefer led the receiving corps with nine catches for 88 yards and three scores, while Brandon Briley netted 53 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

Morrison is looking for an efficient performance Friday without costly mistakes.

“Their special teams are good and with their kicker, we know we’ll be starting drives on our 20,” Morrison said. “Field position will be critical. We can’t consistently give them short fields.”

With Xander Drake still sidelined by a knee injury, Jack Walter will get the start in the secondary this week at a cornerback position.

The freshman game has been moved up to a 3:45 p.m. start Friday to allow for more water breaks in hot conditions, with the varsity contest still set for a 7 p.m. kickoff. A high of 86 degrees is forecast for Friday, with temperatures reaching the 90s on Saturday and Sunday.

Projected starters

OFFENSE

WR — Brandon Briley, Sr., 150; WR — Tyler Riley, Jr., 125; WR — Casen Dryden, Jr., 130; TE — Josh Schaefer, Jr., 170; OT — Quinten Fuller, Sr., 230; G — Gunner Martwick, So., 220; C — Jagger Luther, Sr., 205; G — Tucker Rohrig, Sr., 225; OT — Brayden Schoon, Jr., 200; QB — Cael Turner, Jr., 165; RB — Brennan Hayes, Sr., 195; PK — Hayes.

DEFENSE

DE — Max Chapman, Sr., 260; NT — Tom Mikkelsen, Fr., 210; DE — Jackson Kerr, Sr., 205; OLB — Milo Staver, Sr. 175 or Lincoln Keeler Sr. 145; ILB — Will Bolinger, Sr., 175; ILB — Luke Travis, Jr., 180; OLB — Austin Evans, Sr., 160; CB — Dylan Calvin, Sr., 165; CB — Jack Walter, Sr., 170; S — Dillon Starlin, Sr., 125; S — McCoy Haines, Sr., 155; P — Calvin or Haines.

Larry Peterson

LARRY PETERSON

Former senior feature writer at Creston News Advertiser and columnist. Previous positions include sports editor for many years and assistant editor. Also a middle school basketball coach in Creston.