Panthers shut out for first time since 2021

CARROLL -— The Tigers (4-3, 3-0) won all three facets of the game Friday against the Panthers (0-7, 0-3).

Scoring three touchdowns before the Panthers had a first down, Carroll cruised to a 50-0 home victory, the first team to shut out Creston since Harlan in 2021.

The first play of the game was a run up the middle by Carroll running back Adam Malik. Breaking through the line, Malik took the ball 80 yards for a touchdown.

“On both sides of the ball, I think they’re probably the best team we’ve seen up front,” Creston coach Brian Morrison said. “They have a really talented offensive line, defensive line and good skill players.”

Carroll attempted 2-point conversions on their first two touchdowns, both being stopped by the Panther defense. From there, they stuck to kicking a point after.

Creston’s first two drives ended in quick three-and-outs as the Panthers failed to find an offensive rhythm.

Panther quarterback Tanner Ray averages nearly 200 passing yards per game but was held to just 63 through the air Friday. He was 5-of-16 on passes with two interceptions. Creston was able to get things moving on the ground with 203 rushing yards, led by Ray with 84 and freshman Gabe Kaufman with 82.

On the other hand, the Tigers were able to put up 490 yards of offense, 357 in a prolific run game and 133 on 8-of-11 passes from quarterback Camden King.

After the first quarter, Creston trailed 26-0. That margin expanded to 40-0 headed into halftime.

“We had a tough time matching up early,” Morrison said. “By the time we got settled down a little bit, the score was pretty out of hand.”

With a depleted defense, running back Jackson Pettegrew saw snaps on both sides of the ball, leading the defense with 9.5 total tackles, including six solo.

“He was a starting outside backer last year,” Morrison explained. “I thought Jackson played really well at safety. He’ll continue playing safety for us as far as the rest of the season is concerned and then running back as well.”

Junior Colby Brammer added six total and five solo tackles. Junior Coltyr Frey and senior Lane Travis each had five total.

Several freshmen have played a role in the varsity lineup this year. Kaufman has found success in the running back role and Riggins Hanson has made some catches to help the Panther receiving core.

“They compete at the 3A level; it’s not easy,” Morrison said. “We also have a host of sophomores on offense and defense. They’re getting better every week.”

The Panthers finished the game with a strong drive, but it ended at the 1 yard line after a 5-yard gain on fourth-and-6.

Creston returns to action Friday at home against Greene County, their last home game of the season.

Stats

Creston 0, Carroll 50

Points by quarter

Cr 0 0 0 0 - 0

Ca 26 14 7 3 - 50

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

Ca — Adam Malik 80 run (2pt no good), 11:52.

Ca -— Michael Rowedder 4 run (2pt no good), 6:44.

Ca — Mac Collison 55 pass from Camden King (Kieran Polking kick), 4:40.

Ca — Malik 11 run (Polking kick), 3:15.

Second Quarter

Ca — Collison 9 pass from King (Polking kick), 4:14.

Ca — Malik 11 run (Polking kick), 1:31.

Third Quarter

Ca — Malik 45 run (Polking kick), 7:47.

Fourth Quarter

Ca -— Polking 21 yd field goal.

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TEAM STATISTICS

CR CA

Rushes-yards 34-203 31 357

Passing 5-18-2 8-12-0

Passing yards 63 133

Total yards 266 490

Punts-avg. 5-38.2 1-59

Fumbles lost 0 0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — CR: Tanner Ray 13-84; Gabe Kaufman 14-82; Jackson Pettegrew 6-46. CA: Adam Malik 13-185, 4 TDS; Camden King 5-97; Michael Rowedder 3-13, 1 TD. PASSING — CR: Ray 5-16-2 for 63 yards. CA: King 8-11-0 for 133 yards, 2 TDs.

RECEIVING — CR: Seth Gordon 2-56; Jace Purdum 1-2; Riggins Hanson 1-0; Pettegrew 1-5. CA: Mac Collison 2-64; 2 TDs; Moyer Olberding 2-35; Chase Schable 2-17; Lincoln Burke 1-9; Carson Tedrow 1-8.

TACKLE LEADERS (solo) — CR: Pettegrew 9.5 (6), Colby Brammer 6 (5), Coltyr Frey 5 (5), Lane Travis 5 (4). CA: Quinten Polking 10.5 (7)Burke 7 (5). INTERCEPTIONS — CR: None. CA: Chase Schable 1, Tallon Crandall 1. FUMBLE RECOVERIES — CR: None. Ca: None.

TACKLES FOR LOSS — CR: None. CA: Ty Muhlbauer 2.0, Quinten Polking 1.5, Kieran Polking 1.5, Myles Pudenz 1.0. SACKS — CR: None. CA: Muhlbauer 2.0, Kieran Polking 1.0.