Panthers host Rams on senior night

The road to an upbeat ending to a frustrating 2025 Creston football season begins in getting a good start in Friday’s senior night game against Greene County.

Off to a 3-1 start in non-district play, which generated some top-10 ratings recognition, Greene County now stands 4-3 and 1-2 in district play after two lopsided losses to Carroll (35-0) and Atlantic (46-7). The Rams began district play with a 49-0 win over 0-7 Perry.

The Panthers (0-3 district, 0-7 overall) play at Perry to finish the season next week. Coach Brian Morrison thinks this is the stretch where opportunity lies to reverse the season’s fortunes. But, it’s not an easy challenge. Among Greene County’s wins are against Class 4A Boone (36-20) and Grand View Christian (21-20), a 4-3 Class 2A team that beat Clarinda on Oct. 3, 28-13. Clarinda opened the season with a 35-21 victory over Creston.

“A telltale sign will be the first quarter,” Creston coach Brian Morrison said. “We have to get out of the gates and play clean football on offense, win special teams, and on defense we have to get them in second and long. Then we can get some pressure on the quarterback and try to make some plays.”

Greene County, based in Jefferson, has shown a balanced offense in its 4-3 season to date. Quarterback Zack Stalder has passed for 1,086 yards and 13 touchdowns, and is involved in the rushing attack with 345 yards. Running back Christopher Daughtery has 407 yards and six TDs.

Leading receivers are Broc Stream (20 catches for 161 yards), Jaron Jacobs (17-339) and Trevon Keely (17-220).

“Their running back reminds me of the kids from Des Moines Christian and Atlantic. He’s a fast kid,” Morrison said. “The quarterback is a good athlete and throws a nice ball on the short and medium routes. We can’t give up the explosive plays, that’s been our downfall this season. Up front I don’t think they’re as solid as some of the teams we’ve played, but we’ll find out Friday. They’re still a good-sized football team.”

Despite the lopsided score last week in Greene County’s loss to Atlantic, the Rams showed an ability to move the ball, Morrison said.

“Greene County has run the ball well in several games, including last week against Atlantic,” Morrison said. “Their problem last week was two turnovers in the first half, and not finishing drives. They’d go 40 or 50 yards and then stall.”

Some adjustments in the defense seemed to show improvement in giving up big plays after a rough 26-0 first quarter at Carroll.

“We played better after we moved (Jackson) Pettegrew to safety and Davin Wallace back to corner, and Brodrick Phelps returned at outside linebacker,” Morrison said. “Brodrick broke a bone in his hand, but he’s able to play with a soft cast.”

The other lineup adjustments have involved junior Tom Mikkelsen moving from nose guard to inside linebacker, with Hayden Levine taking over at defensive tackle, flanked by ends Ethan Holliday and Blake Hayes.

“Tom worked at linebacker all summer and played there in week one, but we’ve had him up front since week two,” Morrison said. “He remembers the position and will continue to improve as he gets more reps.”

Pettegrew and freshman Gabe Kaufman will continue to share the running back position on offense, Morrison said.

Creston’s seniors will be recognized with their parents at 6:30 p.m. before the 7 p.m. kickoff.

“It’s big for our seniors, and for our kids coming back, to finish the season strong,” Morrison said. “That’s what the goal is.”

In other Class 3A District games, district co-leader Carroll (3-0 district, 4-3 overall) plays Perry (0-3, 0-7) and co-leader Atlantic (3-0, 5-2) hosts a Harlan team (2-1, 3-4) still in the hunt for one of the two automatic playoff berths. Harlan closes the season against Greene County and Atlantic ends against Carroll.

Creston (0-7, 0-3)

OFFENSE

T Garrick Clausen 5-10 225 Sr.

G Michael Wofford 6-0 200 Jr.

C Chasse Downing 6-4 270 Sr.

G Gunner Martwick 6-1 250 Sr.

T Layne Sand 6-5 235 Jr.

WR Jace Purdum 6-1 170 Jr.

WR Seth Gordon 5-8 160 Sr.

TE Jameson McDonald 6-1 185 Sr.

TE Rhett Driskell 6-3 190 Jr.

QB Tanner Ray 6-0 155 Jr.

RB Jackson Pettegrew 5-10 180 Sr.

or Gabe Kaufman 6-0 155 Fr.

K Joaquin Flores 6-0 160 Jr.

DEFENSE

DT Hayden Levine 5-11 190 Jr.

DE Ethan Holliday 6-2 200 Sr.

DE Blake Hayes 6-2, 205 Jr.

OLB Coltyr Frey 5-9 160 Jr.

ILB Colby Brammer 5-6 160 Jr.

ILB Tom Mikkelsen 6-1 210 Jr.

OLB Brodrick Phelps 5-11 160 Sr.

CB Davin Wallace 5-8 170 Sr.

CB Casen Scarberry 5-10 160 Jr.

S Lane Travis 5-8 160 Sr.

S Jackson Pettegrew 5-10 180 Sr.

P Joaquin Flores 6-0 160 Jr.