15 Panthers capture all-district football honors

Despite placing fourth among six Class 3A District 6 teams with a 2-3 record, the Panthers had 15 players earn all-district honors for their season performances.

First Team

Five Creston athletes earned first-team honors: two seniors and three juniors.

Wide receiver Jace Purdum, a junior, finished the season with 45 receptions for 661 yards, including six touchdowns. His longest scoring play was 42 yards.

He led the Panthers in receiving yards and touchdowns and boasted 14.7 yards per carry.

Quarterback Tanner Ray was at the helm of the Panther offense for the second year.

In the air he completed 147 of 223 passes for 1,726 yards and eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

On the ground, he was also a force for Creston, logging 990 yards on 128 carries and scoring 10 times.

Senior Gunner Martwick, a team captain, earned a first-team spot for his third consecutive year starting on the offensive line.

This year’s line helped facilitate an offense that rushed for 2,114 yards, scoring 26 times, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

Senior Seth Gordon was noticed for his effort as a returner. This season he logged 372 return yards on 17 receptions, averaging a 21.9 yards per return.

As a wide receiver, Gordon was second only to Purdum, bringing in 32 catches for 526 yards and a TD.

Junior Tom Mikkelsen, an all-state nose tackle from the 2023-24 season, earned all-district honors again for his defensive prowess.

This season, Mikkelsen filled a variety of roles for the Panthers’ defense, but was able to come up with 24 total tackles, including 18 solo and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble.

Second Team

The Creston offense landed three Panthers on the second team: running back Jackson Pettegrew, wide receiver Rhett Driskell and offensive lineman Garrick Clausen.

Pettegrew rushed for 543 yards on 113 carries for 11 touchdowns. Clausen was an instrumental part in the Panther’s ground game, often serving as the lead blocker in front of the runner.

Driskell caught 24 balls for 182 yards and a score.

Junior Cason Scarberry and freshman Coltyr Frey were recognized for their defensive efforts.

Scarberry, a defensive back, had 13 total tackles including 10 solo in the Panthers’ secondary. He also had an interception in the week one matchup with Clarinda.

Despite his youth, Frey was an integral part of the Panther defense, logging 31 tackles including 22 solo and a tackle for loss. He also logged a fumble recovery.

Honorable Mention

The Panthers had two offensive players, two defensive players and a utility player earn honorable mention.

Junior Davin Wallace, a team captain, earned his spot as a defensive back after a season with 28 solo tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Defensive lineman Blake Hayes was the second defensive honoree, putting up 21.5 total tackles this year.

On offense it was freshman running back Gabe Kaufman and lineman Chasse Downing who made the cut.

Kaufman became a big part of the Panthers’ offense in the later part of the season as Pettegrew filled in defensively and was then sidelined with an injury.

Finally, team captain Lane Travis earned a utility spot. He led the Panthers in both total and solo tackles with 44.5 and 31.

The district gave out several special awards. Both offensive and defensive MVP went to Carroll seniors — Gavin Holt and Quinten Polking, respectively.

Harlan’s Landson Nihsen earned specialist MVP.

Carroll’s Craig Rowedder earned head coach of the year and Eric Nagl was assistant coach of the year.

Trevon Keely of Green County, a junior, won the Golden Award.