Panthers play balanced ball in rainy opening-night win

Creston/O-M 28, Boone 7

A balanced effort across the board was the takeaway from Creston/Orient-Macksburg's week one 28-7 victory over the Boone Toreadors on a night filled with rain throughout the evening.

Boone slowed a well-respected Panther offense early, but did not have the strength, skill, nor athleticism to stop their opponents.

Creston/O-M got on the board on its third possession when it drove 75 yards. Brody Frain connected with new Panther Zach Carlson for a 39-yard catch down the right hash. After three plays put the Panthers in a fourth and two spot, Chase Shiltz took a direct snap and rumbled for a 14-yard touchdown.

Two minutes into the second quarter, the Panther offense stalled, and Colton Bolinger punted the ball down to the three-yard line.

Two plays later, the Panthers forced a fumble and Kadon Hulett fell on the ball for a touchdown. After Shiltz grinded his way across the goal line for the two-point conversion, the Panthers led 14-0.

Kylan Smallwood started the second half at quarterback, and after a Panther defensive stop, Smallwood led Creston/O-M to another quick touchdown. Smallwood found Carlson for a 35-yard score.

Shiltz accounted for the last Panther touchdown of the night to put the Panthers up 28-0.

The Panthers picked up a fourth down stop on defense late in the fourth quarter at the one-yard line, but did allow a touchdown pass after a Smallwood fumble gave the Toreadors the ball on the Panther 22. Tanner Schminke found Mason Hulse for Boone's only score of the night.

Chase Shiltz and Mitchel Swank combined for 228 of the Panthers' 280 yards on the ground.

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East Union 50, Essex 0

Fremont-Mills 42, Lenox 0

Southwest Valley 32, Red Oak 28

Mount Ayr 35, Nodaway Valley 0 (Game called in 2nd quarter by weather)

Murray 38, CAM 36