Undefeated Panthers keep rolling

KNOXVILLE — After an easy 56-14 defeat of district opponent Knoxville (2-5) Friday, the Creston Panthers (7-0) are one of two remaining undefeated teams in Class 3A.

Previously ranked No. 1, Williamsburg fell to Solon, leaving only Creston and Clear Lake undefeated. Cresto n’s win over Knoxville and Nevada’s win over Harlan sets up a district championship match Friday in Creston for senior night.

Creston wasted no time taking the lead against Knoxville, Weston Trapp beginning the game with a 95-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff.

The brisk game resulted in numerous turnovers by both teams, Creston quarterback Cael Turner throwing his first two interceptions of the season and Knoxville’s Noah Keefer throwing three. Knoxville also fumbled twice, both recovered by the Panthers.

Creston found most of their yardage on the ground, senior all-state running back Brennan Hayes rushing for 269 yards and three touchdowns on 14 attempts.

Turner completed eight passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns - one to Casen Dryden and one to Brandon Briley.

Creston would go on to score 42 unanswered points through three quarters, the defense keeping Knoxville in check.

Leading the defense was senior Austin Evans with an interception, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and 5.5 tackles. Seniors Max Chapman and Jack Walter led the team in total tackles with 7 and 6.5, respectively.

Also coming down with interceptions for the Creston defense were McCoy Haines and Dillon Starlin.

On a stellar defensive stand, the Panthers sacked Keefer three plays in a row - Will Bolinger with two and Milo Staver with the third.

Creston allowed 102 rushing yards, 169 passing yards and only 14 points.

On the Panthers’ third drive, Hayes had an 18-yard reception, dragging defenders to get to the Knoxville 24-yard line. On the next play, Turner faked a handoff to Hayes before keeping it for a a 20-yard run. From there it was Trapp taking it in for the 4-yard touchdown run to go up 14-0 in the first.

In the second quarter, Turner connected with Dryden for a 55-yard touchdown reception and Hayes ran in a 16-yard score.

A 9-yard touchdown run by Hayes in the third opened the lead to 35-0, starting a running clock. Not letting up, Hayes broke away for a 77-yard touchdown run to make it a 42-0 game.

Hayes leads the team in yardage this season with 1,695 all-purpose yards. Last week, he was the only 11-man football player to rank in the top 10 for rushing yards and top three for receiving yards.

Briley brought in a touchdown in the fourth quarter, logging three receptions for 71 yards.

“It was a district win,” Creston coach Brian Morrison said. “There’s a lot to still improve upon entering week eight.”

Stats

Creston 56, Knoxville 14

Points by quarter

Cr 14 14 14 14 — 56

Ha 0 0 0 14 — 14

TEAM STATISTICS

Cr Kn

Rushes-yards 25-299 22-102

Passing 10-15-2 16-31-3

Passing yards 188 169

Total yards 487 271

Punts-avg 0-0 5-37.8

Return yards 2-57.5 9-10.1

Fumbles-lost 3-2 2-2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — CR: Brennan Hayes 14-269, 3 TDs; Weston Trapp 6-18, 1 TD; Cael Turner 3-26.

PASSING — CR: Turner 8-13-2 for 176 yards, 2 TDs. Trapp 2-2-0 for 12 yards.

RECEIVING — CR: Brandon Briley 3-71, 1 TD; Casen Dryden 2-59, 1 TD. Hayes 3-21.

PUNTS-AVG. — CR: 0-0.

TACKLE LEADERS (total-solo) — CR: Max Chapman 7-4; Jack Walter 6.5-5; Evans 5.5-3.

INTERCEPTIONS — CR: McCoy Haines 1; Evans 1; Dillon Starlin 1.

FUMBLE RECOVERIES — CR: Austin Evans, 1, 1 TD; Lucas Travis 1.

TACKLES FOR LOSS — CR: Chapman 4.5, Bolinger 2, Milo Staver 1.5, Austin Evans 1, Jackson Kerr 1.

SACKS — CR: Bolinger 2, Staver 1.5, Kerr 0.5