Panthers look to contend again

Creston graduated seven all-state players from a record-setting senior class of 25 in its historic 11-1 state semifinal team last fall.

While that seems like a daunting rebuilding task, another strong senior class of 22 players that includes four newcomers will lead the 2024 Panther squad with hopes of their own playoff run.

Nevada has the most proven production returning including 1,500-yard passer Connor King. Harlan, Creston and an improved Atlantic team all appear to be other contenders for postseason play from District 6.

And, Knoxville also returns its quarterback and some talented receivers, making for an interesting district season ahead. Eight of coach Brian Morrison’s 14 teams have qualified for postseason play. This year he has four returning starters on offense and two on the defensive side, which doesn’t include 2023 receiver Tyler Riley, now slated for cornerback on defense.

Those filling openings on both sides gained valuable experience in both JV games and the extra practices that go with playing three postseason rounds. Creston completed its second 9-0 regular season in school history and won 11 games for the first time before falling 16-13 to Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the 3A semifinals. Williamsburg defeated Heelan 20-0 in the title game.

Morrison was named Class 3A Coach of the Year after the season by the Iowa Football Coaches Association.

“We lost a special class of seniors,” Morrison said. “But we have 22 seniors on this year’s team and they are great leaders by example. Our numbers are in the mid-80s for freshmen through seniors, and that’s really good for a Class 3A team. Our mindset as coaches is never the season as a whole. We look at improving as a team and we’ve done that from the get-go. Our coaches did a great job in the weight room in the offseason and that carried over into the summer. I thought we respected the baseball program in what we did over the summer and we still got a lot done. We are ahead of schedule on offense and defense.”

Coming off a scrimmage last Friday at Carlisle, the Panthers open the season Friday at longtime area rival Winterset. Other non-district games are against defending 4A champion Lewis Central, at Ballard and at home against Carroll. The Panthers open District 6 play Sept. 27 at Harlan, which joined Nevada and Creston in the playoffs from District 6. Creston beat Harlan twice last year, including 35-27 to open the playoffs.

Webster City knocked off Nevada in the playoffs first round before falling at Creston, 50-27.

“We’ll find out where we are, but I’ve been very pleased with the mindset of the kids,” Morrison said. “Nevada is probably the best team roster-wise in terms of returning production. They lost their running back, who was a tremendous player, but up front they return so many good kids and they return their quarterback. Harlan lost a lot of good kids like us, but they will always be competitive and we know they have some good kids back. Atlantic will be a much improved team. I think we will be in the mix.”

The addition of four seniors who haven’t played since middle school or their freshman year also helps the Panther depth this season. Among them are tight end/receiver Parker Varner, likely starting cornerback Jake Hoyt, defensive lineman Camden Smith and defensive back Tommy Sand.

Offensive outlook

The offense will be different than the one that led Class 3A at 460.5 yards per game and third in scoring (38.7 per game).

Despite the graduation losses of huge playmakers like all-staters Cael Turner (quarterback), running back Brennan Hayes and receiver Brandon Briley, there are still dangerous weapons on the 2024 unit. Sophomore Tanner Ray has emerged as the probable starting quarterback.

Running back/receiver Weston Trapp and tight end Josh Schaefer earned all-district honorable mention last year and are among a group of playmakers. Trapp amassed 937 all-purpose yards last season that included 357 yards receiving, 262 rushing, 68 passing, 218 on kick returns and 32 on punt returns.

Slot receiver Xander Drake was lost to a knee injury before the first game last year, but has recovered from surgery and looks as dangerous as ever with the ball in his hands, according to offensive coordinator Garrison Carter. Drake and Trapp give the special teams two big-play threats in the return game.

Senior receiver Casen Dryden received varsity experience last year, and speedy junior Seth Gordon is another wideout after playing on the defensive side last year. Varner is a big, athletic target as another receiving option. Senior Maddix Leppla has moved from linebacker to an H-back (wingback) in certain formations and Ethan Holliday is another tight end.

While Ray may not immediately be the deep-ball threat that earned Turner a scholarship to Northwest Missouri State, he’s athletic and poses a run-pass threat. Offensive coordinator Garrison Carter says Ray has playmakers surrounding him as he begins his sophomore campaign. Seniors Gavin Larson and Trapp are others who can play quarterback.

“You always want to take advantage of the kids that you have and build around what they can do,” Carter said. “This year we are breaking in a young quarterback with really good talent at receiver and running back to work around him. So, we’re trying to get the ball to those guys in space and be in situations where we can be successful. Weston Trapp is our best returning player and allows us to do a ton of different things. He’s a good receiver, running back and can take direct snaps at quarterback. Our receivers are as good of a group as I’ve had in 15 years of doing it. With Tanner, we’re just looking for him to make the right decisions, take care of the football and make some plays with his legs. At the end of the day it’s a matter of getting the ball to the playmakers and let them work.”

The offensive line features two returning starters in senior tackle Brayden Schoon and junior guard Gunner Martwick. Junior Chasse Downing looks to succeed Jagger Luther at the important center position. Other top varsity candidates include senior tackle Eli Schaffer and junior guard Garrick Clausen. Blake Hayes, Lane Sand and Drake Wilson are also working in the line as Creston continues its platoon system.

“Having kids play one side of the ball is huge for us,” Carter said. “When you give them twice as many reps at one thing you can improve quickly.”

Defensive outlook

Two starters return from a defense that ranked second in Class 3A with 16 interceptions and sixth in tackles for loss with 65.5. The pass rush was led by senior defensive end Max Chapman, and the top secondary ballhawks were senior all-staters Dylan Calvin and McCoy Haines.

Linebackers Austin Evans and Will Bolinger and defensive back Jack Walter were the top tacklers on a defense that allowed 19.5 points per game. All three were all-district seniors.

The returnees are sophomore noseguard Tom Mikkelsen and inside linebacker Lucas Travis.

Morrison, the team’s defensive coordinator, said it’s largely an untested defense that has talented players moving up from JV who have progressed quickly in the program’s platoon system.

“We’re going to be young at some spots,” Morrison said. “In the secondary we’re starting junior Lane Travis and sophomore Davin Wallace at safety and two seniors at corner in Tyler Riley and Jake Hoyt. We moved Riley from receiver and Hoyt is good athlete who was last out in junior high. I think our success, and having good friends in that class, brought some guys back and they’ve all done a great job.”

Lucas Travis is the only returning linebacker. Juniors Kal Barber and Jackson Pettegrew will fill outside linebacker roles, and senior Aiden Snodgrass is getting duty at inside linebacker. Pettegrew has also worked at safety.

Mikkelsen returns to anchor the defensive line at noseguard. Looking to step in for Chapman and Jackson Kerr at end positions are seniors Jayden Myers and Mattias Schultes. Smith has been rotating in at both interior and the end positions.

“Familiarity with what we do is our strength,” Morrison said. “We’ve been doing the same thing for awhile. We have to be disciplined on alignment and their assignments, because we blitz a lot. The biggest thing is getting three-and-outs and turnovers to give our offense opportunities to score. The more times we can touch the all on offense, the better team we will be.”

Creston opened last season with a 36-17 victory over Winterset, after leading just 14-10 at halftime. Creston outscored the Huskies 22-7 in the fourth quarter in the debut of their fast-paced platoon system.

“Winterset was competitive last year until it kind of got away from them late,” Morrison said. “It’s always a tough game when you play Winterset. Lewis Central lost a good senior class but their JV was probably a playoff-caliber team last year. It’s a tough schedule for 3A but that’s good in the RPI system.”

Captains of the 2024 team are Lucas Travis, Josh Schaefer, Weston Trapp and Xander Drake.

Collegians

Former Creston players now playing in college are Ty Morrison, inside linebacker at Iowa Central Community College; Avery Fuller, offensive line at Benedictine College; Derek Paup, defensive end at Dordt University; Briley Hayes, running back at Simpson College; Kaleb Howard, wide receiver at Simpson College; Brennan Hayes, runnning back at Wayne State University; Quinten Fuller, offensive line at Wayne State University; Cael Turner, quarterback at Northwest Missouri State University; and Max Chapman, defensive tackle at South Dakota State University. Chris Wilson is a student assistant coach at Graceland University.

(A team photo and roster will appear in the Fall Sports Guide to be published in the Aug. 30 edition of the News Advertiser.)