Panthers place 14 on all-district teams

After a 4-5 season and a three-way tie for the best record in District 6, the Panthers had 14 players earn all-district honors.

First Team

The Panthers placed four on first-team all-district: Weston Trapp (running back), Brayden Schoon (offensive line), Tom Mikkelsen (defensive line) and Lucas Travis (linebacker).

Creston’s explosive senior running back Trapp logged the most offensive yards in the district this season with 2,025. His eight 2-point conversions also led the district.

Trapp had 22 total touchdowns including 18 rushing. Both stats are second-highest. Also in second to Nevada running back Anthony Eaton was Trapp’s all-purpose yards of 2,218 and 1,693 rushing yards.

Trapp’s success would not have been possible without offensive linemen like Schoon. Though the Panthers primarily use a platooning system, Schoon stepped up to play both sides of the line when necessary.

Schoon’s protection on the line helped the offense rush nearly 2,000 yards on the season and score 21 touchdowns from the ground. They also protected the quarterback, allowing him to throw for 14 touchdowns.

On the defensive line sophomore Mikkelsen was a constant pressure on the quarterback for a team that logged 36 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.

Mikkelsen had 12 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss.

Senior linebacker Travis was one of the only major returning pieces from the year before.

Travis led the defense in tackles with 71, the third most in the district. His team-high 7.5 tackles for loss was the fourth-most in District 6.

Second Team

Six Panthers earned second-team honors: Xander Drake (wide receiver), Gunner Martwick (offensive line), Tanner Ray (offensive utility), Mattias Schultes (defensive line), Davin Wallace (defensive back) and Jackson Pettegrew (defensive utility).

Drake was second to Trapp in receiving yards for the Panthers, logging 280. He led the team with five receiving touchdowns. The number tied him for fourth in the district.

He was invaluable as a returner, leading the district with 513 kickoff return yards and two returned for a touchdown.

Junior Martwick was also a returning starter for the Panthers. His experience bolstered the offensive line and allowed Trapp’s stats.

Sophomore quarterback Ray got his first shot at the position this year after all-state quarterback Cael Turner graduated.

Ray’s 14 passing touchdowns were second most in the district. He threw for 1,134 yards, the third-highest.

His 94 completions and 156 attempts were each the fourth-most in District 6. Ray finished the season with a 139.4 passer rating.

Schultes, Pettegrew and Wallace were all a part of the Panthers’ dynamic defense. On the line, Schultes logged 15 total and 12 solo tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Pettegrew served in a variety of roles for the defense, completing 24.5 total and 13 solo tackles. His three sacks led the defense. He also logged 4.5 tackles for loss.

Sophomore Wallace was in secondary, putting up 46 total and 27 solo tackles. His tackle numbers are second only to Travis.

Honorable Mention

Four Panthers earned spots on the honorable mention roster: Casen Dryden (wide receiver), Josh Schaefer (wide receiver), Jayden Myers (defensive line) and Tyson Looney (linebacker).

Dryden had four receiving touchdowns this season, only one back from Drake. He caught 18 passes for 251 yards, averaging 13.9 yards per reception.

Schaefer caught 16 passes for 158 yards, averaging 9.9 yards per reception and logging one touchdown.

Myers logged 13 total and six solo tackles including a tackle for loss.

Looney came on later in the season, ending the year with a fumble recovery, three interceptions and a pick 6.

His 102 interception return yards is the most in District 6.