Record-breaking season celebrated

Sunday was a day of reflection and celebration as families of the 2023 Creston football team gathered in the school commons for the postseason awards banquet.

On display was the Class 3A state semifinal trophy awarded to the Panthers in the UNI-Dome after the team’s first loss of the season, 16-13, to Sioux City Bishop Heelan. Williamsburg won the 3A state championship in a 20-0 victory over the Crusaders.

Along the way, the Panthers achieved their second 9-0 regular season in program history, including 22-20 over Class 4A state champion Lewis Central, 25-22 over defending 3A state champion Harlan and 42-28 over Nevada in a clash of state-ranked teams for the District 6 championship.

For the first time ever, Creston secured a second victory over Harlan in the same season in opening the playoffs with a 35-27 triumph. The No. 1-ranked Panthers then rallied from 19-0 deficit to beat Webster City 50-27 to earn the second trip to the UNI-Dome in program history. The first also resulted a semifinal loss to Heelan in 2014, 49-14, ending a 10-3 season.

Creston had never before won 11 games in a single season, setting several records in the process. Head coach Brian Morrison said this team has had a far-reaching impact on the program.

“To do what they did this year is just incredible,” Morrison said. “We’ll see good things coming down the road from it, whether it be the junior high level, freshman and JV levels just from watching these guys. As for the community, the first time we went (to the UNI-Dome) we had huge community support and all of that. But this year, every week, no matter where we went, it was crazy. It’s been a fun ride.”

The importance of the juniors and sophomores who contributed this season can’t be overlooked, but much of Sunday’s program was a tribute to the 25 outgoing seniors, believed to be the largest senior class in program history.

Record-breakers

Among them were several who became part of season and career records. Quarterback Cael Turner completed 181 of 284 passes for 2,993 yards and 34 touchdowns, leading Class 3A in both categories. He surpassed the single-season passing record of 2,868 yards by Alex Nielsen from the 2014 state semifinal team. The 181 completions is also a Creston season record and 34 TDs ranks 35th in state all-time records.

Turner was named first-team all-state along with running back Brennan Hayes, who rushed for 1,784 yards and 17 touchdowns while also catching 42 passes for 881 yards and eight TDs. His single-season receiving yardage ranks second in Creston history only behind teammate Brandon Briley, who had 52 catches for 897 yards and 13 TDs. His career rushing yardage of 3,806 is second behind Chase Shiltz’s total of 5,329 yards.

Briley holds Creston single-season receiving records for receptions, yards and TDs and career receptions (91), receiving yards (1,621) and receiving touchdowns (17).

Creston ranked first in 3A with 460.5 yards per game with 77 plays of 20 yards or more, and ranked third in scoring at 38.75 points per game.

Creston also had two Class 3A leaders on defense this season — Dylan Calvin with six interceptions and Max Chapman with 26.5 tackles for losses. Outside linebacker Austin Evans was all-district for the second straight year and led the team in total tackles (74.0).

In addition to those record-breakers, offensive lineman Quinten Fuller was all-state first team and defensive back McCoy Haines was all-state second team.

Shrine Bowl selection

Over the weekend, Chapman committed to the South Dakota State University football team, which is playing for an NCAA FCS national championship. Chapman will also represent Creston in the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls in late July. Morrison was informed of Chapman’s selection by South team head coach Chad Edeker of WACO.

Fuller and Hayes have committed to NCAA Division II Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Several others, including Turner, Calvin and Briley are considering college football futures.

Morrison noted the team grade point average qualified for state recognition by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for the 14th year in a row for meeting the criteria of a team GPA of at least 3.25. Also, 11 seniors earned academic all-state honors by being senior starters with a GPA of at least 3.7.

“These guys led by example,” Morrison said. “Underclassmen, just understand, this doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work. Athletic ability, yes. We have a lot of kids with ability. But, we have underclassmen with ability who need to put the time in. We had everything — all-state kids, guys who started, and role players. They were all important to us as a football team.”

Non-senior starters this year include receivers Josh Schaefer and Tyler Riley, offensive tackle Brayden Schoon, offensive guard Gunner Martwick, defensive lineman Tom Mikkelsen and inside linebacker Luke Travis. Junior Weston Trapp was an all-purpose contributor on offense, both at running back and quarterback in the direct snap power formation, as well as kick returns.

AWARDS

Letterwinners

(Years lettered)

Seniors — Cael Turner (3), Jack Walter (3), Dillon Starlin (3), Bryce Hull (1), McCoy Haines (3), Lincoln Keeler (3), Gavin Bolton (3), Dylan Calvin (3), Austin Evans (3), Carson Rieck (3), Milo Staver (2), Will Bolinger (3), Brennan Hayes (3), Tucker Rohrig (3), Max Skellenger (3), Lucas Rushing (3), Jackson Kerr (2), Steven Bell (3), Quinten Fuller (3), Jagger Luther (3), Gavin Millslagle (1), Brandon Briley (3), Gavin Evans (1), Max Chapman (3).

Juniors — Weston Trapp (2), Xander Drake (2), Josh Schaefer (2), Gavin Larson (2), Casen Dryden (2), Tyler Riley (2), Aiden Snodgrass (2), Stephen Sistad (2), Lucas Travis (2), Tyson Looney (2), Mattias Schultes (2), Marshall Howard (2), Drake Pendegraft (1), Brayden Schoon (2), Jayden Myers (2), Eli Schaffer (2).

Sophomores — Seth Gordon (1), CT Stalker (1), Jackson Pettegrew (1), Kal Barber (1), Lane Travis (1), Brodrick Phelps (1), Brett Orr (1), Ryder Loudon (1), Ethan Holliday (1), Evan Abel (1), Tysen Gillespie (1), Garrick Clausen (1), Jameson McDonald (1), Chasse Downing (1), Gunner Martwick (1), Nolan Ide (1), Jaden Conley (1).

Freshmen — Tanner Ray (1), Rhett Driskell (1), Jace Purdum (1), Davin Wallace (1), Joaquin Flores (1), Tom Mikkelsen (1).

Managers — Terrance Taylor (1), Hunter Kiley (1).

TEAM AWARDS

Offensive MVP — Cael Turner, Brennan Hayes, Quinten Fuller, Brandon Briley.

Defensive MVP — Max Chapman, Austin Evans, Dylan Calvin, McCoy Haines.

Special teams MVP — Dillon Starlin, Weston Trapp, Will Bolinger.

Scout team MVP — Jackson Pettegrew, Ethan Holliday, Bryce Hull, Gavin Millslagle.

Team captains — Cael Turner, Max Chapman, Brennan Hayes, Austin Evans.

All-district (first team) — Cael Turner (QB), Brennan Hayes (RB), Brandon Briley (WR), Quinten Fuller (OL), Jagger Luther (OL), Brennan Hayes (K), Max Chapman (DL), Austin Evans (LB), Dylan Calvin (DB), McCoy Haines (DB).

All-district (second team) — Tucker Rohrig (OL), Will Bolinger (LB), Dillon Starlin (DB).

All-district (honorable mention) — Josh Schaefer (TE), Weston Trapp (RB), Jackson Kerr (DE), Jack Walter (DB).

All-state (first team) — Cael Turner (QB), Brennan Hayes (RB), Quinten Fuller (OL), Max Chapman (DL), Dylan Calvin (DB).

All-state (second team) — Brandon Briley (WR), McCoy Haines (DB).

Academic all-state (senior starters 3.7 GPA) — Cael Turner, Milo Staver, Dillon Starlin, Tucker Rohrig, Carson Rieck, Jagger Luther, Brennan Hayes, Quinten Fuller, Austin Evans, Brandon Briley, Will Bolinger.