March 28, 2024

Young Panthers take on No. 3 Norwalk in opener

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Creston/Orient-Macksurg will have four senior starters on defense and only two on offense in opening the season Friday at state-ranked Norwalk, but coach Brian Morrison doesn’t sound concerned about having a young team in the underdog role.

“In looking at our starters and depth chart, we’re about as young as we’ve been,” said the sixth-year head coach. “I can’t recall a year that we’ve had this many underclassmen starting. But, that was expected, because the senior class is not that large. And the kids we have, a lot of them started last year as sophomores.

“It’s not going to be a ‘poor me, pity deal.’ We expect to be a good football team this year,” Morrison added.

He said there’s no question Norwalk is a quality team, after he joined other Panther staff members in watching the Warriors scrimmage fourth-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes last Friday.

Dual threat

Junior quarterback Brady Brandsfield returns as the headliner, after passing for 2,106 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for a team-high 574 yards and nine more TDs a year ago.

“He’s a good player. We’ll have our hands full with him, no doubt,” Morrison said. “He’s going to get his yardage. He has a lot of weapons to throw to, and good offensive linemen to block for him up front. The key for us last year was not giving up the big play. Teams that have good short passing games like that and an explosive offense, you have to keep the ball in front of you.”

Creston/O-M opened the 2014 season by beating Norwalk 27-17 and prevailed 59-31 in the second round of the playoffs.

Brandsfield lost his primary receiver last year in Luke Greenslade, but four of last year’s receivers return. Among them is junior Justin South, who averaged 23.2 yards per catch with four TDs. Senior Devin Pirkle had six TD catches with 321 yards receiving.

Two of the leading rushers also graduated last year, but Coby Klocko inherits the starting tailback role after rushing for 223 yards and two TDs last year. Brandsfield kept the ball 124 times for 574 yards, a 4.6 average per carry.

“They run a lot of zone read option, so it’s him and another back that will be the two guys running the ball,” Morrison said. “Klocko is a physical, athletic kid. Just a good football player. And Brandsfield is a good runner.”

The Warriors have three of the five offensive linemen back from last year’s 6-5 team.

“You get ranked because you had a good season the year before and return some kids,” Morrison said. “Norwalk returns a lot of production on offense and defense. I think they are deserving of the ranking. DC-G is very good too, just from looking at the scrimmage. They are both quality teams with a lot of depth.”

One of the true stars of the Norwalk team is on the defensive side. Senior defensive end Sonny Onken (6-3, 240), is considered one of the elite Iowa high school defensive linemen.

“Number 89 (Onken) is a Division I prospect,” Morrison said. “He’s already had numerous Division I offers. He didn’t play against us in week one last year, but he did play against us in the playoffs. Our tackles (Kadon Hulett and Trevor Downing) will have their hands full. He’s the real deal. When it comes to passing the ball, we have to protect.”

Creston/O-M averaged 43 points in the two games against Norwalk last year, but scoring could come at more of a premium this year, the Panther coach said.

“Up front they are good,” Morrison said. “Their nose and tackle aren’t big, but they make a lot of plays. They lost the one really good linebacker they had last year.”

Friday will be the debut of Panther quarterback Moritz “Mojo” Johannknecht , foreign exchange student from Paderborn, Germany.

“He’s adjusted well and really picked up our offense,” Morrison said. “He’s running it efficiently at quarterback. We’re pleased.”

The coaching staff had a scare at Tuesday’s practice when returning starting center Cody Tanner injured an ankle. But, he is still listed as a two-way starter in the line Friday.

Top returnees

The Panthers have two all-state players back from the 10-3 state semifinal team. All-state linebacker Seth Maitlen, who set a school record for tackles last year, is back at inside linebacker on defense and fullback on offense.

The backfield also includes all-state running back Chase Shiltz — 1,250 yards and 24 TDs rushing and 31 catches for 518 yards and six TDs. Shiltz has been moved from outside linebacker to safety on defense. The defensive front also has experience in Hulett, Downing and Ryan Brown.

New starting cornerbacks are senior Kole Lovely and freshman Kylan Smallwood.

“We have some players who have proven themselves on Friday night, and some others who have to step up with the opportunity,” Morrison said. “We know it’s a tough game. We wanted that in our non-district schedule.”

The Panthers hope to avenge a 2014 loss to Clarinda in the home opener next week.

The freshmen kick off action Friday at 4:45 p.m. at Norwalk High School, followed by the varsity game at about 7:30.

Creston/O-M (0-0, 0-0)

OFFENSE

WR Gavin Woods 5-11 165 Jr.

TE Colton Bolinger 6-4 215 Jr.

T Kadon Hulett 6-4 230 Jr.

G Devon Petersen 6-0 230 Jr.

C Cody Tanner 6-2 270 Jr.

G Blake Sevier 6-2 290 So.

T Trevor Downing 6-5 290 So.

WR Chris Foster 5-9 155 Sr.

QB Moritz Johannknecht 6-2 180 Jr.

RB Chase Shiltz 5-11 185 Jr.

FB Seth Maitlen 6-2 215 Sr.

PK Evan Jacobson 5-6 140 So.

DEFENSE

DE Trevor Downing 6-5 290 So.

DT Cody Tanner 6-2 270 Jr.

NG Ryan Brown 6-0 325 Sr.

DE Kadon Hulett 6-4 230 Jr.

OLB Cody Crawford 5-10 190 Jr.

ILB Seth Maitlen 6-2 215 Sr.

ILB Cameron Leith 5-10 175 Sr.

OLB Kolby Tomas 5-8 185 So.

CB Kylan Smallwood 6-0 165 Fr.

CB Kole Lovely 6-0 175 Sr.

FS Chase Shiltz 5-11 185 Jr.

P Colton Bolinger 6-4 215 Jr.