SIOUX CITY — Riddled with injury problems, the eighth-ranked Creston/Orient-Macksburg Panthers just wanted to find a way to be in the game in the fourth quarter with No. 5 Sioux City Bishop Heelan Wednesday night, with a chance to win the Class 3A playoff opener.

Despite falling behind 13-0 early on two touchdown catches by junior speedster Connor Niles from junior quarterback Trent Solsma, the Panthers did, in fact, climb back into contention in the second half.

Luke Neitzel, moving to running back from quarterback because of a strained thumb on his throwing hand, rumbled into the end zone from the 2 with 9:46 left in the game, drawing the Panthers to within 26-20.