Creston hosts the Gilbert Tigers (0-3) tonight at 7 p.m.
Creston is coming off a 35-14 win at Denison-Schleswig, the Panthers held the Monarchs to zero second half points.
The Tigers 48-7 lost to Bondurant-Farrar last week.
Creston head football coach Brian Morrison has his eyes on Gilbert quarterback Owen Kautman and senior wide receivers Birk Hanson and Spencer Clatt.
“It’s one of those games where offensively they have really good receivers, they have a quarterback that’s 60% as far as passing so they have good skill kids,” Morrison said. “They’re struggling right now with running the football. They look like a 50-50 team run-pass, but they have kids that will cause issues for us and our kids understand that and we can’t give up the big play against Gilbert we have to get better in the secondary and I think this will be a big game for us in that area.”
Creston is averaging 20 points per game through three games. Briley Hayes leads the Panthers with five rushing touchdowns, Kyle Strider has three and Brennan Hayes has one touchdown so far.
“I think our offense is improving from week one to week three,” coach Morrison said. “I think we are doing good things, as far as up front protecting the quarterback and establishing the run game. That’ll be critical for us against Gilbert because they’re a no-huddle spread team so we have to eat clock and score points.”
On the other side of the ball, coach Morrison is focused on both his secondary and keeping it simple.
“It’ll be a game to test us in the secondary because we are super young and they have two seniors that are pretty gifted players that can get past us and we emphasize not giving up the big play,” coach Morrison said, “Defensively the biggest thing is keeping the ball in front of us and tackle well in space.”
The Panthers didn’t punt last week, but in nine punts on the season senior Derek Paup is averaging about 40.6 yards per boot.
For Gilbert, Tigers Evan Weary and Owen Kautman have punted a combined 19 times, averaging about 22.8 yards per punt.
“I think our special teams are playing pretty well right now and we have to, if we’re not good at special teams it’ll be tough for us to compete against any team I think overall I’ve been very pleased with the effort the kids are displaying,” coach Morrison said.
Coming off a three rushing touchdown and 112 yards of passing against the Denison-Schleswig Monarchs, junior quarterback Kyle Strider is getting comfortable as the Panthers’ signal caller.
“Kyle Strider from week one to week three is comfortable he’s making the right decisions, he’s a team leader on offense,” Morrison said.
With this game being Creston’s last home game until Oct. 1 against ADM, Morrison said tonight will be a good one in regards to evaluation of the team.
“I think this will be a good game to evaluate where we are after this game,” coach Morrison said.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Panther Stadium.
Offensive Starters
QB- Kyle Strider Jr.
RB- Briley Hayes Sr.
FB- Gage Skarda Sr.
T- Max Chapman So.
G. Chris Wilson Sr.
C- Jagger Luther So.
G. Owen Richards Sr.
T- Aver Fuller Sr.
TE- Derek Paup Sr.
WR- Brandon Briley So.
WR- Aiden Anderson Sr.
PK Aiden Anderson Sr.
Defensive Starters
DL- Avery Fuller Sr.
DL- Andre Davis Sr.
DL- Derek Paup Sr.
LB- Gage Skarda Sr.
LB- Briley Hayes Sr.
LB- Ty Morrison Jr.
LB- Austin Evans So
DB- McCoy Haines So.
DB- Cael Turner So.
DB- Gannon Greenwalt Jr.
DB- Dylan Calvin So.
Punter Derek Paup Sr.