Homecoming headliner

The premier Class 3A matchup in Iowa this week will take place in Creston as the Panthers host two-time defending state champion Harlan during homecoming week.

Both teams open Class 3A district play after rugged non-district schedules, with Harlan’s 21-20 season-opening loss to Class 4A power Lewis Central the only setback between them. Creston (4-0 and ranked No. 2 on this week’s Class 3A Associated Press poll behind Williamsburg) knocked off Lewis Central 22-20 a week later.

The Panthers own other victories of 36-17 over Winterset, 48-28 over Ballard and 50-21 last week at Carroll.

Harlan (3-1 and ranked sixth this week), rebounded from the Lewis Central loss to reel off consecutive wins of 48-20 over Denison-Schleswig, 17-14 over Class 4A 10th-ranked Glenwood and 42-6 last week over Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

Creston coach Brian Morrison said having one of the state’s toughest Class 3A schedules, with three Class 4A opponents early, set the stage for the challenge awaiting his team Friday.

“When the schedule came out we knew we had a lot of tough games and it’s given us an opportunity to pick up some really big wins and gain some momentum,” Morrison said. “We knew we had some good kids coming back, but we also had some question marks with platooning and seven new kids on our defense. We’ve seen kids get better every week.”

With the quality of opponents to date, and being one of three teams in District 6 that have been ranked in the top 10 so far — Nevada dropped out this week after a 24-21 loss to No. 3 Hampton-Dumont — Morrison said the Panthers are set up to have a strong RPI index at the end of the season, which can determine a playoff berth.

However, for that to mean something at the end, any head-to-head matchup with a perennial contender like Harlan is an important game.

“It’s homecoming with some extra things going on,” Morrison said, “but our preparation has been like any other week. There is a lot of season left after Friday. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing and whatever happens, happens. No matter what, the game next week will be the most important one for us.”

New quarterback

Teagon Kasperbauer, the most prolific quarterback in Harlan history, directed the two championship runs in 2021 and 2022. He and receiver Aiden Hall, now on the University of Iowa roster, are gone from that explosive offense. But, there are several outstanding returning players on this year’s team.

“They are still the same,” Morrison said. “Same formations, same pass-run schemes. (Cade) Sears has been a really good receiver for them and he’s back. Their quarterback (Will Arkfeld) is a smart quarterback who knows where he’s going with the football and he can run the ball. Their running back runs hard and their kids up front on both offense and defense are as good as we will see in the district.”

Creston’s Cael Turner leads the state in passing yards (1,201) after setting a school single-game record last week in completing 11 of 12 passes for 431 yards and five touchdowns. Last year’s quarterback, Kyle Strider, held the previous record of 400 yards in a 22 of 44 night with three TDs in a wild comeback at Gilbert.

Turner is on pace to challenge the individual season passing marks of quarterback Alex Nielsen from the 2014 state semifinals season. Nielsen was the Class 3A all-state quarterback that year with 2,868 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games, averaging 220 yards per game in a 10-3 season.

Arkfeld, however, isn’t far behind Turner this season. He has completed 46 of 77 passes for 806 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions. He ranks sixth in Class 3A passing.

His top targets have been Sears (17 catches, 399 yards) and Brehden Eggers (12 catches, 199 yards). Noah Schmitz leads the rushing attack with 230 yards on 44 carries.

All-purpose leader

Returning all-state running back Brennan Hayes has 559 yards rushing and five TDs for Creston, and has become a dangerous two-way threat by ranking third in Class 3A receiving with 469 yards and four touchdowns. Hayes leads 3A in all-purpose yards (1,028).

Hayes was limited to 26 rushing yards last week at Carroll but caught three passes for 213 yards and two TDs. Wide receiver Brandon Briley hauled in five catches for 123 yards and two TDs, and Carson Rieck added an 80-yard scoring reception.

“Carroll loaded the box to take away the run,” Morrison said. “Brennan coming out of the backfield is a tough matchup for a linebacker and we were able to take advantage of that. Teams game-plan for Brandon Briley as our deep threat, and Josh Schaefer has had some big catches for us. We have some weapons,and the offensive line has done a good job for us in protecting Cael.”

Briley ranks fifth in receiving touchdowns (five) and ninth in receiving yards (321).

Defense is a strength of Harlan, featuring two all-state players in defensive end Franz Reisz (6.5 tackles for loss) and linebacker Matthew Sorfondon (32.5 tackles). Sorfonden was the leading tackler on last year’s championship team with 70.5 tackles, including 10 for losses.

“Their defense is really good at stopping the run, and they have great athletes in their secondary,” Morrison said. “Field position will be critical Friday night. Lewis Central did a good job of making them drive the length of the field after they made up an early 14-0 deficit. We can’t lose special teams and give Harlan half of a field to drive, because then it gets tough.”

Creston’s defense has also shown improvement despite a yielding a few big plays for touchdowns against Lewis Central and Ballard. Defensive end Max Chapman leads Class 3A with 12.5 tackles for loss. (Harlan’s Reisz is 12th at 6.5). Dillon Starlin (28.5 tackles) and Austin Evans (27.5 tackles) are both in the top 22 of Class 3A. Dylan Calvin is tied for third with two interceptions.

After last week’s win at Carroll, Chapman said the Panthers were already focused on Harlan.

“Last year Harlan lost to LC and came back and won a state championship,” Chapman said. “To them, it’s business as usual. To us, we’ve always got something to prove until we win a championship game. We are all coming in locked in.”

Projected starters

OFFENSE

WR — Brandon Briley, Sr., 150

WR — Tyler Riley, Jr., 125

TE — Carson Rieck, Sr., 160

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

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 — Turner