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The Harlan Cyclones dominated Creston/Orient-Macksburg 40-0 Friday night and moved into a three-way tie for first place in Class 3A District 9 as Glenwood suffered its first district setback to Lewis Central.
The Cyclones, Titans and Rams are all 3-1 in district play after Lewis Central got past Glenwood, 21-14. Overall, Lewis Central is 7-1 while Glenwood and Harlan are each 6-2. The Rams host Creston/O-M next week while Harlan hosts Winterset and Lewis Central takes on ADM.
Creston/O-M fell to 0-4 in the district and 2-6 overall as Harlan dominated from the start at Panther Field Friday, outgaining the Panthers 367 to 85 in total yards.
Quarterback Johnathan Monson scored two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter and fullback Thomas Frederick added another TD from 2 yards out as the Cyclones led 21-0 after one quarter. Running back Alex Schechinger added three touchdowns of 15, 22 and 24 yards in the second and third quarters, putting the game into the mercy rule running clock at the 7:15 mark of the third quarter.
All three primary ball carriers shared the wealth on the ground behind Harlan's improving offensive line, with no returning starters in the same position as last year's 8-3 team. Monson ran the offense effectively, finishing with 102 yards and two TDs on nine carries. He was also 4 of 9 passing for 52 yards. Schechinger ran for 94 yards and two TDs on 10 carries and Fredrick picked up 43 yards and one touchdown on nine attempts.
The Cyclone defense limited the Panthers to their least productive night of the season. Eli Loudon was 7 of 21 passing for 79 yards and two interceptions. With 48 yards in losses, the Panthers had only 6 net yards rushing. Rylan Luther was the leader with 29 yards on 12 carries.
Derek Paup was Creston/O-M's leading receiver with three catches for 50 yards. With a reception of more than 30 yards nullified on a holding penalty, leading receiver Cael Kralik was shut out Friday. Luke Latham had one catch for 22 yards. Camden Peterson had 7 yards on three catches.
Defensively, Brayton Chesnut intercepted a Harlan pass and Brance Baker recovered a fumble on the Cyclones' first possession of the game. Garon Wurster finished with one solo and nine assisted tackles. Rylan Luther and Jackson Kinsella were in on eight total stops.
Lamoni 50, Lenox 14
LAMONI – Lamoni trounced Lenox Friday night in a 50-14 final.
Lenox was able to strike first, scoring on a crossing route by Drew Venteicher on a pass from Cullen Wood from 14 yards out. The score, with a failed two-point conversion, gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead with 6:57 left in the first quarter.
The Demons and Patrick Savage responded quickly, scoring on the following drive on a 40-yard keeper from Savage. Savage brought in the two-point conversion to give Lamoni the lead at 8-6 with 4:49 left in the quarter.
The lead change was the final one of the night as Lamoni scored five more times before the half, including a blocked punt which was recovered for a score. At halftime the score was 34-14.
Lenox was able to put the ball across the goal line with 31.5 seconds left in the half for a 36-yard touchdown reception from Keegan Christensen. It was Wood's second TD pass of the game.
Lenox head coach Cole Bonde noted penalties were a contributing factor to Lenox losing its momentum on certain drives and that Week 6's loss to Southeast Warren exposed vulnerabilities that Lamoni exploited.
With the loss, Lamoni holds possession of first place in 8-man District 6 due its undefeated record in district play (6-0). Lenox falls to 7-2 (4-2) and Lamoni improves to 7-1.
Area scores
Van Meter 28 Mount Ayr 0
AHSTW 25 Southwest Valley 12
Southeast Warren 50, Murray 0
East Union 18, Moravia 13
St. Albert 52, NodawayValley 0
Other SW Iowa scores