Football season concluded with Sunday banquet

With another year in the books for the Creston/Orient-Macksburg football program, the Panthers held their annual year end banquet to celebrate the season.

Coach Brian Morrison heaped praise upon a number of instrumental figures that worked toward making this season a positive experience, including statisticians, folks who took pictures, the administration, the team secretaries, the athletic training staff, the media outlets that covered the team and more.

The Panthers were 2-7 in 2017 and found themselves in a battle nearly every week of the season, with three of their losses coming by a single score or less.

Creston/O-M faced adversity in 2017, and coach Brian Morrison each week communicated in a steadfast manner his belief that the team was improving.

The Panthers picked up their first win of the Class 3A district slate in a come-from-behind 44-43 win at ADM in week eight, and almost pulled off another comeback in week nine.

Near misses against Boone, Denison-Schleswig, Atlantic, Winterset and Carroll left the Creston/O-M players and fans frustrated at times, but the Panthers showed their might in fighting through the tough times with competitive play.

Long hours spent in preparation for and during this season fueled the Panthers for the intense schedule.

“Football is pretty much a year round sport,” Morrison said. “We start at Northwest, meet throughout the summer and go full go for three and a half months. That’s a long time away from family, and that’s appreciated.”

Coach Kevin Cooper discussed the play of the large group on the freshman team that finished 5-4.

Coach Jon Thomsen moved to the junior varsity head coaching job this fall, and noted the growth he saw in his team that finished 1-5.

The day was a celebration of seniors, 14 of which ended their careers as Panther football players.

The Panthers achieved a team excellence in academic award for having a cumulative team GPA between 3.0-3.25.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for our football team,” Morrison said.

Morrison was adamant about the need for players to stay out for the sport next year and stay involved in winter and spring sports.

“These kids are involved in a lot of activities winter, spring and summer,” Morrison said. “It’s critical that these guys continue to stay out.”

Varsity letterwinners — Seniors: Trevor Downing (4), Dustin Merritt (4), Mitchel Swank (4), Kolby Tomas (4), Dalten Bierle (3), Stephen Buckman (3), Garrett Dahl (3), Tucker Flynn (3), Cole Higgins (3), Nathan Pudenz (3), Blake Sevier (3), Cody Wagner (3), Cashton Weeks (3). Juniors: Kylan Smallwood (3), Kendall Crawford (2), Bryce Fitzgerald (2), Trevor Kinyon (2), Hank Looney (2), James McDonald (2), Austin Nguyen (2), Walker Patterson (2), Mark Waigand (2), Payton Pryor (1). Sophomores: Eli Loudon (2), Rylan Luther (2), Brayton Chesnut (1), Ayden Filer (1), Hayden Green (1), Eli Hartman (1), Luke Latham (1), Andrew Mills (1), Camden Peterson (1), Logan Shaw (1), Kerwn Shaw (1). Freshman: Garon Wurster (1).

Participation award — Brance Baker, Kaden Bolton, Evan Bruce, Colby Burg, Ethan Freeman, Malakai Hansen, Kolby Hulett, Jackson Kinsella, Cael Kralik, Britain Miller, Logan Osterhout, Hunter Patterson, Wiley Ray, Cody Robertson, Gavin Shawler, Keagan Smith, Cole Strider, Tyson Stuart, Blake Thompson, Brodie Wallace, Hunter Walter, Andrew Weis.

Class 3A District 7 all-district team — 1st team: Trevor Downing, Kylan Smallwood. 2nd team: Tucker Flynn, Mitchel Swank. Honorable mention: Eli Loudon, Rylan Luther.

Offensive MVP — Mitchel Swank, Trevor Downing.

Defensive MVP — Kolby Tomas, Blake Sevier.

Special teams MVP — Cody Wagner, Garrett Dahl.

Scout team MVP — Garon Wurster.

Team captains — Blake Sevier, Mitchel Swank, Kolby Tomas, Trevor Downing.

District all-academic — Tucker Flynn, Blake Sevier, Garrett Dahl, Kolby Tomas, Cody Wagner.

Managers — Brenton Barber, Armando Banda.