As the Creston Panthers gear up for their third consecutive road game against Winterset, the team's primary focus this week is on improving their performance at the start of games. Head coach Brian Morrison emphasized the need for a quicker start, reflecting on the slow beginnings that have plagued the team in their previous outings.
In their season opener, the Panthers found themselves in a significant hole, trailing 22-0 against Centerville before rallying to secure a 52-42 victory. However, last week against Clarinda, the situation was even more dire as they fell behind 17-0 in the early moments of the game. Despite battling back to tie the score at 45-45, the Panthers ultimately succumbed to a 59-45 defeat, with Clarinda capitalizing on a strong fourth quarter.
Morrison pointed out the critical mistakes that contributed to their slow starts, noting that the defense was on the field for only three plays before the team was down by two touchdowns. He highlighted that the Panthers surrendered 28 points due to two significant passing plays and a pick-six, which put them at a disadvantage early on. Although the team showed resilience by tying the game, they were unable to maintain that momentum, ultimately losing to a well-prepared Clarinda squad.
Looking ahead to their matchup with Winterset, the Panthers will face a team that is currently in a rebuilding phase. Winterset lost a substantial senior class from last year’s 7-4 team, including key players like standout safety Jace Bellamy. Only quarterback Carson Cook remains from the backfield, and while the team is working to rebuild, they still pose a challenge with their physical style of play.
In their season opener, Winterset struggled against ADM, suffering a 40-6 defeat. Cook managed to complete 10 of 14 passes for 74 yards and one touchdown, but the running game faltered, mustering only 42 yards on 29 attempts. Morrison acknowledged Winterset's talent, stating that they have good skill players and a quarterback capable of making plays.
On the other hand, Creston's offense has been impressive, scoring a total of 97 points across their first two games. Senior quarterback Tanner Ray has emerged as a standout player, throwing for 533 yards and four touchdowns in just two games, leading the Class 3A in passing yards. His primary target, all-district receiver Jace Purdum, has also made a significant impact with 13 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Additionally, sophomore running back Gabe Kaufman has contributed with 215 rushing yards in the early season.
Morrison expressed confidence in his team's offensive capabilities but reiterated the importance of starting strong. He noted that overcoming early deficits is challenging for high school teams and that a solid first-quarter performance against Winterset could be crucial in breaking their trend of slow starts. With the Panthers looking to turn their fortunes around, a fast start this Friday could set the tone for a successful game.
Leave a Comment