(Creston) The Class 3A District 6 champions Creston host Harlan in a first-round playoff game on Friday night. The Panthers enter the postseason with a 9-0 record. Harlan is 6-3. The Panthers won the first meeting 25-22 on September 22.
Creston Head Coach Brian Morrison says there are advantages and disadvantages to playing a team twice in the same season. Morrison says his team is in the right mindset going into the game on Friday.
Coach Morrison admits Harlan did not have a few dynamic players on the field the first time.
Morrison and the coaching staff have been preaching for several weeks to stay ahead of the sticks on offense. We must play clean and defensively, limiting the explosive plays.
The Panthers have journeyed through the regular season undefeated. Coach Morrison says his squad did an excellent job of taking things one day at a time.
Coach Morrison mentioned special teams as one factor in the game. Panther’s punter Cael Turner is averaging 41 yards per punt. Brennan Hayes is 1/1 kicking field goals. (30-yarder). He is also 40/41, kicking extra points.
Nolan Schwery averages 34 yards per punt for the Cyclones. Schwery is 36/38, kicking extra points and one-for-one in field goals with a 22-yarder.
