Panthers score enough to stay on top; Lenox clinches playoff berth
GLENWOOD — The Creston/O-M Panthers prevailed in a defensive struggle here Friday night, scoring once each in the first and third quarters to secure a 14-0 victory over Glenwood, which is still seeking its first district win.
Bryce McIlravy scored on a 1-yard run late in the first quarter after making a 21-yard pass reception on the drive from Luke Neitzel. Two turnovers — an interception pass at Glenwood's 8-yard line, and a fumble near midfield — stymied the Panthers in the first half, which ended at 6-0.
Neitzel scored on a 30-yard run late in the third period. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers staged a defensive goal-line stand as Glenwood's run up the middle on fourth-and-one was stopped 18 inches shy of the goal line.
The Panthers posted their first shutout of the season, but it was potentially costly as McIlravy, the offensive tailback and primary substitute for injured Caleb Thompson at cornerback, went down late in the game with an ankle injury. Coach Brian Morrison said it was too soon to know the extent of the injury, but the speedy senior was helped off the field.
Neitzel led Creston/O-M's offense Friday with 170 yards rushing while passing 6-of-11 for 49 yards. McIlravy had two catches for 38 yards. Trevor Frain was especially active against Glenwood's run-oriented offense, finishing with 17 total tackles, including one for loss. Keaton Hulett and Brandon Phipps each had two tackles for losses in halting Glenwood's outside rushing attack.
The Panthers (6-1 overall) now sit atop Class 3A District 1 at 4-1. ADM and Harlan are each 3-1, while Lewis Central and Atlantic stand 2-2 as five teams vie for the coveted four playoff positions. Creston/O-M plays outside the district next week at Winterset, and closes against Lewis Central.
Other key matchups still to take place include Atlantic vs. Harlan, and Harlan vs. ADM. On Friday night, Atlantic defeated Perry, Harlan rebounded to beat Lewis Central 35-10, and ADM dropped a non-district contest against Newton, 17-13. Atlantic's Harrison Hoegh surpassed Bret Meyer's single-season passing record at Atlantic in the Trojans' 41-6 victory over Perry.
For a complete story, see Monday's Creston News Advertiser.
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Lenox 34, Corning 20
LENOX — A fourth-quarter interception return by a Lenox defensive lineman helped seal a 34-20 Lenox victory over Corning here Friday evening.
With 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, Lenox was leading 28-20. Corning had the ball at its own 25-yard line and was poised to drive the length of the field and send the game to overtime.
That was until Corning quarterback Jordan Stuart dropped back to pass and Lenox's Grant Christensen broke free and applied heavy pressure up the middle on Stuart. Christensen's rush forced Stuart to get rid of the ball early and make an errant pass, which was intercepted by Lenox defensive end Todd Stoaks, who returned the ball 25 yards untouched for a Tiger touchdown. The play expanded the Lenox lead to 34-20 and sealed a Lenox victory, along with an Eight-Man District 8 playoff berth.
Lenox is two games ahead of fifth-place Corning, and each has just one district game remaining. Sidney, Fremont-Mills and CAM are the other District 8 teams assured of playoff berths, but the order is still in question.
With the win, Lenox moves to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in District 8. Corning drops to 3-4 overall and 3-4 in the district. For a complete story, see Monday's Creston News Advertiser.
Area roundup
Among other area new s, Mount Ayr remained undefeated with a 41-24 victory over Central Decatur, and Nodaway Valley picked up its first victory in exciting fashion, outscoring Treynor 36-35 in double overtime. Murray stayed unblemished with a big 87-44 victory over Colo-Nesco. East Union outscored Mormon Trail, 50-12.
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Friday's scores:
AHST 24, East Mills 10
Atlantic 41, Perry 6
Bedford 54, Earlham 42
Bishop Heelan Catholic 17, Carroll 14
Council Bluffs St. Albert 62, Red Oak 13
CAM, Anita 60, Stanton 16
Creston-Orient-Macksburg 14, Glenwood 0
Des Moines Christian 19, Colfax-Mingo 14
East Union, Afton 50, Mormon Trail, Garden Grove 12
EHK-Exira 72, Villisca 18
Fremont Mills, Tabor 68, Nishnabotna 6
Grandview Park Baptist 24, Tri-County 16
Glidden-Ralston 76, Coon Rapids-Bayard 22
Greene County 28, Clarinda 21
Griswold 47, Riverside 7
Guthrie Center 28, Martensdale-St. Marys 14
Harlan 35, Lewis Central 10
Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 44, OA-BCIG 2
Lamoni 66, Ankeny Christian 18
Lenox 34, Corning 20
Mount Ayr 41, Central Decatur 24
Murray 87, Colo-NESCO 44
Newton 17, ADM 13
Nodaway Valley 36, Treynor 35 (2OT)
Panorama, Panora 46, West Central Valley, Stuart 0
PCM, Monroe 42, Clarke, Osceola 0
Pella 27, Norwalk 0
Sidney 65, Essex/South Page 24
Shenandoah 24, Clarinda Academy 0
Spencer 28, Denison-Schleswig 6
Tri-Center, Neola 61, Missouri Valley 6
Van Meter 33, Pella Christian 13
Winterset 40, Oskaloosa 14
Woodward-Granger 52, Madrid 14
Woodward Academy 29, Audubon 22
