One more for pride

The goal for the Creston/Orient-Macksburg Panthers is the same every week. Improvement.

That’s all coach Brian Morrison is concerned with in week nine’s home Senior Night matchup with Class 3A District 7 foe Carroll (3-5, 2-4).

Despite a heartbreaking loss in last season’s regular season finale — which was in essence the district title game with both squads undefeated at the time — Morrison said that the Panthers are not concerned about any sort of vengeance.

“We’re just trying to take care of ourselves,” Morrison said. “It’s more about improving as a team. We’ve done that in some aspects. We’re not talking about avenging a loss.”

Morrison noted that finding ways to finish offensively after a slow start in red zone opportunities against ADM was highly encouraging, as were positive steps on special teams.

For a team on the brink of falling to a fellow winless in-district team, the Panthers picked up important contributions from several key players last week.

“(Eli)Loudon stepped up,” Morrison said, referring to his quarterback who threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another. “Besides Loudon, (Michael) Scherer, Mitchel Swank have been good for us. Smallwood has been good for us all year.”

A moment before the game may have helped the tone for the Panthers.

“I pulled the seniors in before the trip to ADM and wanted to thank them for how they responded to the season and kept moving forward,” Morrison said.

The Tigers match up somewhat evenly with the Panthers, though coach Morrison has been more impressed with what the Tigers have shown at times on the field than their results.

Outside of a 40-0 drubbing at the hands of district leader Harlan, the Tigers have competed in nail-biting losses of 13-12 to Glenwood, 22-19 to Winterset and 20-14 to Atlantic.

“I think they’re pretty dang good to be honest,” Morrison said. “They start some sophomores and juniors. The games they’ve lost have been competitive.”

Cooper Ross, whose brother Dayton tore apart the Panther defense a year ago with the help of a sturdy offensive line, hauled in nine receptions for 117 yards and two scores in the Atlantic loss.

Ross owns three interceptions this year, so using Loudon to throw away from Ross might be a point of necessity.

The Tigers will not be afraid to throw, having gone to the air with quarterback Justin Mohr 41 times a week ago.

Creston/O-M will also need to stop back Tanner Higgins, who has gashed his way to 697 yards on the ground and six scores.

Higgins and his 12 solo tackles for loss will also look to disrupt the Panther run game in the backfield.

Kendall Crawford will miss the game after sustaining a concussion, so Bryce Fitzgerald will make his first varsity start at guard, and Blake Sevier will move back to center.

Creston/O-M will celebrate its 13 seniors on Friday.

The freshman game will be played at 4:45 p.m.

Senior Evan Jacobson has been dismissed from the team due to internal disciplinary issues.

Offense

QB — Eli Loudon 6-0 150 So.

RB — Mitchel Swank 5-7 165 Sr.

FB — Kolby Tomas 5-11 200 Sr.

T — Tucker Flynn 6-8 320 Sr.

G — Bryce Fitzgerald 5-10 170 So.

C — Blake Sevier 6-3 270 Sr.

G — Hank Looney 6-0 215 Jr.

T — Trevor Downing 6-5 285 Sr.

WR — Kylan Smallwood 6-3 195 Jr.

WR — Cole Higgins 5-11 150 Sr.

WR — Michael Scherer 6-1 165 Sr.

Defense

End — Trevor Downing 6-5 285 Sr.

NT — Blake Sevier 6-3 270 Sr.

E — James McDonald 5-11 210 Jr.

OLB — Rylan Luther 6-0 165 So.

ILB — Kolby Tomas 5-11 200 Sr.

ILB — Dustin Merritt 5-7 170 Sr.

OLB — Kylan Smallwood 6-3 195 Jr.

Safety — Garrett Dahl 5-7 140 Sr.

Safety — Eli Loudon 6-0 165 So.

CB — Camden Peterson 5-7 150 So.

CB — Michael Scherer 6-1 165 Sr.

Punter — Michael Scherer 6-1 165 Sr.