Panthers cruise at Perry, 49-14

PERRY — Creston bolted to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter en route to securing the program’s second 9-0 season in history Friday at Perry in a 49-14 victory.

The game was played with the state’s mercy rule running clock in effect for the entire second half and a portion of the second period after establishing a 35-0 advantage over the outmanned Bluejays, who ended a 2-7 season.

In earning the first 9-0 season since 2001 and the first for Brian Morrison as a head coach in the program, the Panthers finished 5-0 as District 6 champions. Seeded first in the state’s Ratings Percentage Index, the Panthers open the Class 3A playoffs at home Friday in a rematch with at-large qualifier Harlan.

The Cyclones, battling injuries late in the season, finished 6-3 with a 42-26 victory over Knoxville on Friday. The other game in Creston’s “pod” of four teams also has a familiar look, as district runner-up Nevada (7-2) takes on Webster City (7-2). As the highest seeded team, Creston would host either Nevada or Webster City in a quarterfinal game on Nov. 3 if the Panthers win on Friday.

“I have not seen Harlan on film yet from Friday, but as I understand it they were hoping to get some of their guys back for the playoffs,” Morrison said. “They are not a No. 14 seed if they are healthy. But, at this point any of the 16 teams will be good.”

Until substantial substitutions during the second half, Creston’s defense smothered Perry’s rushing attack while building a lead with some big plays. The Panthers forced four turnovers with two interceptions each by Dylan Calvin and McCoy Haines.

In the dominant 35-0 first half, senior running back Brennan Hayes had 111 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries, while also catching two passes for 49 yards including a one-handed grab for a 36-yard score.

“He told me he lost it in the lights and just reached up for it,” quarterback Cael Turner said. “He’s an athlete, for sure!”

Turner completed 10 of 15 passes in the first half for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Rieck had a 25-yard TD to open the scoring and Brandon Briley had a 51-yard scoring reception late in the opening half.

“We planned on pulling the safety to the other side of the field and coming back to where he vacated,” Turner explained. “It worked out really well. I just tried to not overthrow it.”

Turner was also a threat on the ground Friday, scampering 58 yards for a rushing touchdown after scoring from 1-yard on a broken play in the third quarter.

“I messed up on that one,” Turner said. “The handoff is supposed to be on the other side. I don’t know how proud of that I am, but whatever works.”

Morrison said the Perry defense was swarming to contain Hayes between the tackles.

“They were crashing hard, so it’s an opportunity to pull it and run,” Morrison said. “In our pass game they were not over the top of some of our receivers, so we took what they gave us. Our guys up front had a good night. I thought our defense did a good job against the run and the secondary covered the pass game well.”

Morrison was also pleased to get some reserves in the game and rest his front line starters going into the playoff opener. Morrison had coached two 8-1 teams in regular season play, but never an undefeated season in his 13 seasons at the helm.

“The kids deserve it, especially with the schedule they played,” Morrison said. “We’re battle tested and healthy. You can’t ask for much better.”

Turner said it’s a new season now, one that the team has been looking forward to since offseason workouts.

“We just need to do what we do and control what we can,” said Turner, the Class 3A passing leader. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. Take it one week at a time. Survive and advance.”

Creston 49, Perry 14

Points by quarter

Cr 21 14 14 0—49

Per 0 0 0 14—14

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

Cr — Carson Rieck 25 pass from Cael Turner (Brennan Hayes kick), 9:25

Cr — Brennan Hayes 32 run (Hayes kick), 7:38

Cr — Hayes 36 pass from Turner (Hayes kick), 2:18

Second Quarter

Cr — Hayes 10 run (Hayes kick), 5:38

Cr — Brandon Briley 51 pass from Turner (Hayes kick), 3:52

Third Quarter

Cr — Turner 1 run (Hayes kick), 6:53

Cr — Turner 58 run (Hayes kick), 3:12

Fourth Quarter

P — Keegan Snyder 10 run (Roberto Gomez kick), 8:06

P — Drake Levan 6 pass from Geren Kenney (Gomez kick), 0:30

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TEAM STATISTICS

Cr P

First downs 8 10

Rushes-yards 16-208 28-63

Passing 13-20-1 12-25-3

Passing yards 220 97

Total yards 428 160

Punts-avg. 1-36 4-29.5

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 7-90 3-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — CR: Brennan Hayes 8-123, 2 TD; Cael Turner 4-71, 2 TD; Weston Trapp 2-13; Tanner Ray 1-1. P: Keegan Snyder 15-47, 1 TD; Geren Kenney 9-30 Aiden Burgin 2-5.

PASSING — CR: Turner 13-19-1 for 227 yards, 3 TD; Gavin Larson 1-2-0 for 11 yards; Ray 1-1-0 for 2 yards. P: Kenney 12-26-2 for 99 yards; Drake Levan 0-2-2.

RECEIVING — CR: Hayes 3-69, 1 TD; Tyler Riley 4-57; Brandon Briley 1-51, 1 TD; Carson Rieck 1-25, 1 TD; Casen Dryden 3-17; Trapp 2-20; Josh Schaefer 1-1. P: Drake Levan 6-59, 1 TD; Egan Leber 4-25; Aiden Burgin 1-4; Alec Burgin 1-11.

PUNTS-AVG. — CR: Dylan Calvin 1-36. P: Tyler Gomez 4-29.5.

TACKLE LEADERS (total-solo) — CR: Dillon Starlin 6.5, Jack Walter 3.5, McCoy Haines 3.5, Austin Evans 3.5, Max Chapman 3.5, Gavin Evans 3, Jackson Kerr 2.5, Lucas Travis 2.5, Bryce Hull 2.5, Will Bolinger 1.5. P: Kain Kilmer 6.5, Geren Kenney 3, Drake Levan 3, Jesse Rodriguez 3.

INTERCEPTIONS — CR: Dylan Calvin 2; McCoy Haines 2. P: Kenney 1.

TACKLES FOR LOSS — CR: Starlin 1.5, Chapman 1.5, Calvin 1.0, Evans 1.0, Haines 1.0, Bolinger 0.5, Travis 0.5, Kerr 0.5. P: Rodriguez 1.0.