Former Panthers compete in college

Eleven former Creston football players have been part of successful college seasons this fall, including some headed for postseason play.

Avery Fuller is a senior offensive lineman for the Benedictine College team in Atchinson, Kansas that won the Heart of America Conference South Division championship with a 10-1 season.

The Ravens, coached by former Northwest Missouri State assistant coach Joel Osborn, a Harlan native, are seeded fifth in the NAIA championship series. After a bye this week, Benedictine will host a playoff game on Nov. 29.

Also headed to NAIA playoff action is senior defensive end Derek Paup of the Dordt University Defenders. Morningside edged Dordt, 34-28, last week to earn a share of the Great Plains Athletic Conference title with the Defenders. Paup had four tackles, including a 9-yard sack. Former Creston linebacker Ty Morrison is redshirting this season for Morningside after transferring from Iowa Central.

For the season, Paup has 13 tackles, including two for losses. The Defenders (9-1) are seeded 10th and have a bye this week, awaiting their Nov. 29 matchup.

Cael Turner of Creston is a redshirt freshman reserve quarterback for the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats that will participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Bearcats finished in a first place tie for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association title at 8-1 after a 27-14 loss to Pittsburg State in Kansas City. Trent Warner of Nodaway Valley and Tyler Martin of Mount Ayr are freshman members of the Bearcats squad.

The Bearcats (9-2) will play Harding University (11-0) in the first round of the DII playoffs Saturday at 1 p.m. at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas. Northwest Missouri State is an at-large bid, while Harding is the No. 1 seed in Super Region 4. This is Northwest’s 27th appearance in the NCAA playoffs.

Three former Creston Panthers are contributors to Wayne State’s 7-4 season, including a 5-1 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference after knocking off No. 13-ranked Augustana, 38-31. Running back Brennan Hayes of Creston carried 24 times for 135 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Former Panther teammate Quinten Fuller is a starter in the offensive line at guard for the Wildcats.

Another former Panther, defensive lineman Max Chapman, played in the victory. Senior running back Dawson Forgy rushed for 165 yards on 27 attempts.

For the season, Hayes has 735 yards rushing with eight TDs, including a 93-yard scoring jaunt. Forgy has 1,433 yards in his final season with 19 TDs.

Former Panther Elijah Schaffer is became a starter in the offensive line as a freshman at Buena Vista University. The Beavers finished 3-7 overall and 2-6 in the American Rivers Conference after beating Nebraska Wesleyan 34-21 in the snow on Nov. 8 and losing to undefeated Wartburg, 63-20, last weekend.

Weston Trapp of Creston earned playing time in the backfield at Graceland University as a true freshman this season. Trapp carried 48 times for 202 yards and one touchdown as a reserve running back.

The Yellowjackets concluded a 3-8 season (1-6 in the Heart of America Conference) in a close 41-38 loss to Baker University (Kansas).

Simpson College completed its first winning season since 2018 with a 23-22 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan on Nov. 15. Receiver Kayleb Howard is a member of the Simpson team that ended 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the American Rivers Conference.

Offensive lineman Brayden Schoon of Creston, who played in 2025 Iowa Shrine Bowl, is redshirting this season at Iowa Western Community College. The second-ranked Reivers are 9-1 going into this week’s regular season finale against Highland (Kansas).

Schoon, a state meet qualifier in the discus, is working with the Iowa Western track and field team, as well.