After beating the heat, Panthers take on Winterset

The recent heat spell is moderating just in time to kick off Creston’s 2024 football season Friday night at Winterset.

The hot, humid weather that hit the Midwest last weekend and continued through the early part of the week made school officials across the state enforce new heat stress safety protocols instituted by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for fall outdoor sports — football, cross country and golf (Class 4A).

School administrators must monitor what is termed the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which is somewhat different than a heat index. The WBGT takes into account “direct sunlight, water vapor capacity, cloud coverage and air temperature.” Schools are directed to use a WBGT monitoring device and adjust activities accordingly. A chart related to the readings tell officials what is allowed, such as practice duration, activity times that fit under the threshold and mandatory water breaks.

Games are not affected by the new guidelines, though rest and water breaks for players in hot weather have been typical protocol for several years.

Creston was affected by the new system in holding an early-morning practice Tuesday. Under extreme heat Monday, the typical game week Monday routine wasn’t affected much because it’s a day with considerable video review and a “walk-through” for some units without pads and helmets.

“Monday we couldn’t practice after school, but we still had a walk-through at our normal time like a typical Monday,” Creston coach Brian Morrison said. “On Tuesday we practiced in the morning from 6 to 7:45 (a.m.). We got back into our practice routine after that and by Friday it’s supposed to be 83 for a high and low humidity, and probably in the 70s at (7 p.m.) kickoff. It’s a good system. You don’t want to wear the kids down in the heat during the week.”

2023 battle

Creston’s fast-paced offense and offense/defense platoon system appeared to pay off in last year’s opener held on a warm Friday evening at Panther Field. Winterset opened the game with a scoring drive to go ahead 7-0, and kicked a field goal late in the first half to take a 10-7 advantage into the dressing room.

The Panthers sailed to a 36-17 victory via a 22-7 advantage in the fourth quarter. The rally kick-started a 9-0 regular season and 11-1 overall record culminating in Class 3A semifinal loss to Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the UNI-Dome.

Morrison expects a competitive situation again Friday when the Panthers travel to Winterset. The Huskies are coming off a 3-6 record in a tough Class 4A District, with some key players returning in 2024.

Among them are running backs Hank Wilmes, who rushed for 212 yards with an 80-yard touchdown in last year’s game, and junior Ben Porter, who was a multiple threat last season with 407 yards rushing and nine receptions for 43 yards. They are joined in the backfield by returning quarterback Hunter Lyon, who went 9 of 17 passing for 103 yards in the 2023 matchup.

“They were a young football team last year, but anytime you can return your top two rushers, your quarterback and three of your top four receivers, that’s a good situation,” Morrison said. “Porter (No. 10) is more of a kid on the outside edge. If they run sweeps and tosses they’re going to give him the ball. The Wilmes kid (No. 11) made a majority of his yards inside the tackle box last year. They are always a physical football team up front. I think they return three on defense. Their safety Kane Kiburz (team-high 51.5 tackles last year) is back and he’s a really good football player.”

Scrimmage review

The Panthers had a tuneup session last week in a scrimmage at Class 4A Carlisle. Each team had the ball for 15 plays at a time, restarting drives at their own 30-yard line.

“We did some good things on offense and defense at the varsity level,” Morrison said. “We had some turnovers, but we were moving the ball. It’s a good gauge because they are very similar to Winterset in how they want to do things.”

Live competition was valuable for a team with so many new people in the starting lineup, Morrison noted.

“Watching the tape, it didn’t feel great initially,” he said. “But I feel good about how we’re improving on some of those things this week. They had some big plays against us and our kids realized when they watched the film how important those little details are. Watching that and learning was big for our kids.”

Among Creston’s returnees from last year’s Winterset game are tight end Josh Schaefer, who opened the 2023 campaign with nine catches for 88 yards and three touchdowns. Current senior Weston Trapp carried 10 times for 30 yards and linebacker Lucas Travis had seven tackles.

Graduated seniors Cael Turner and Brennan Hayes had 206 yards and four TDs passing, and 201 yards rushing, respectively.

“It was a very competitive game last year for three quarters,” Morrison said. “Things were clicking for us in the fourth quarter and field position off turnovers had a lot to do with it. We know it’s going to be a tough game. It always is with Winterset.”

Sophomore Tanner Ray takes the helm at quarterback Friday with Trapp returning as a key backfield threat. Morrison said the receiving corps is a strength of the team and the success will hinge on the battle up front.

Creston’s defense should improve as it gains experience with so many new players, Morrison said. Projected starting noseguard returnee Tom Mikkelsen has been sidelined by injury in fall camp, but could be available for some duty Friday, Morrison said. Senior Jayden Myers is listed as the starter.

“Winterset wants to win first down to get to second-and-medium or second-and-short,” Morrison said. “That’s how they sustain drives. We have to do a good job in the tackle box against their dives and counters, and limit our turnovers on offense.”

Varsity kickoff is 7 p.m. at McGaffin Field, after the freshman game at 4:15 p.m.

Creston (0-0, 0-0)

OFFENSE

T Brayden Schoon 6-3 235 Sr.

G Garrick Clausen 5-11 225 Jr.

C Chasse Downing 6-3 270 Jr.

G Gunner Martwick 6-1 230 Jr.

T Eli Schaffer 6-3 320 Sr.

WR Casen Dryden 5-7 140 Sr.

WR Xander Drake 5-8 155 Sr.

TE Josh Schaefer 6-1 180 Sr.

QB Tanner Ray 5-10 145 So.

RB Weston Trapp 5-11 185 Sr.

TE Ethan Holliday 6-2 200 Jr.

K Joaguin Flores 5-10 140 So.

DEFENSE

DE Camden Smith 6-1 185 Sr.

NG Jayden Myers 5-11 195 Sr.

DE Mattias Schultes 5-11 200 Sr.

OLB Jackson Pettegrew 5-10 170 Jr.

ILB Aiden Snodgrass 6-0 175 Sr.

ILB Lucas Travis 5-11 195 Sr.

OLB Kal Barber 5-9 165 Jr.

CB Jake Hoyt 6-2 165 Sr.

CB Tyler Riley 5-5 140 Sr.

S Lane Travis 5-8 150 Jr.

S Davin Wallace 5-10 145 So.

P Weston Trapp 5-11 185 Sr.