FULL SPEED AHEAD

Creston/O-M football: Members of the 2008 Creston/Orient-Macksburg varsity/JV football team are, front row from left: Jordan Leonard, Seth Pals, Clay Daggett, Todd Ramaeker, Kolton Thatcher, Kevin Irr, Brent Young and Jordan Leach. Second row: Maggie Thelen, Nick Ray, Derek Pellman, Tony Cruz, Klint Craft, Willy Drake, Jeremy Hayes, Jackson Foreman and manager Mary Jo Schroeder. Third row: Coach Galen Zumbach, coach Steve Birchard, coach John Rose, coach Shawn Miller, head coach Dick Bergstrom, coach Brian Morrison, coach Darrell Frain, coach Steve Tussey and manager Rachel Griffith. Fourth row: Coach Ryan Deutmeyer, Brody Jay, Luke Eblen, Brian Meyer, Kyle Ritchhart, Kyle Thompson, Alec Paup, Tyler Pettit and coach Nick Blakesley. Fifth row: Pete Myers, Travis Kipp, Nick Neitzel, Jordan Hayes, Aaron Paup, Keaton Lundquist, Brandon Frey and Jared Bevins. Sixth row: Ryan Maitlen, Grant Wood, Spencer Bakerink, Joe Putzier, Michael Tucker and Jerad Eslinger. Not pictured: Coach Monte Neitzel, Chase Blazek, Imani Deal, Will Reasoner and manager Lindsay Berry.

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It’s a season of change for the Creston/Orient-Macksburg football team. Barring a complete reversal of recent fortune, head coach Dick Bergstrom should reach a major milestone relatively early in the 2008 season. In his 38th season, and 32nd in Creston, Bergstrom has a 198-143 coaching record. That’s an average of 5-4 per season ... exactly what the Panthers were the past two seasons. Reaching the 200-win club isn’t what Bergstrom and his staff are focusing on, however. “That just means you’ve been around a long time,” Bergstrom said. Expanded postseason The Iowa High School Athletic Association has approved four teams per district for postseason play beginning this season, up from two playoff qualifiers. Under the old system, Bergstrom’s Creston teams qualified nine times, the last being 2005 in a first-round defeat at Waukee to cap a 6-4 campaign. The first round is considered the “substate” by the IHSAA, with official playoff consideration still only applied to those 16 winners. Nonetheless, the Panthers have hopes of postseason play, even with one of its leanest squads in years — 38 players in the top three grades. “We think we can be pretty good,” Bergstrom said. “But depth is a concern. One of our priorities, obviously, is developing those backups who can give our starters a rest now and then. We think we can reach the (substate), but it would probably require a 4-3 district record, and beating four teams in District 8 is a challenge. Nothing is a given.” Revised district Another change is the makeup of the district. Carroll, Perry and Clarinda are no longer in District 8. ADM (Adel), Clarke of Osceola and Winterset have joined. After opening at Chariton (4-5 last year) and hosting Grinnell (6-3) in non-district play, the Panthers’ district opponents and their 2007 records are ADM (7-2) at home, at Lewis Central ( 2-7), at Glenwood (3-6), Atlantic (4-5) for homecoming, at Winterset (3-6), Harlan (10-1) at home and Clarke (0-9) at home. Substate games will be played Wednesday, Oct. 29. Perhaps the most noteworthy change in Creston/O-M football involves the adoption of a growing trend in prep football — The System as developed by Tony Franklin, former assistant coach for high-scoring offenses at Kentucky and Troy University, and now offensive coordinator at Auburn University. Franklin has more than 350 clients among high school coaches across the nation in learning his spread, no-huddle offense complete with formations, play calls, numbering system and wrist bands for players to refer to after a call is made by a coach on the sideline. Directing this new attack will be senior quarterback Grant Wood (6-3, 215), who started the second half of the 2007 season. In just five games, Wood passed for 693 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions. He completed 40 of 96 passes. Waiting in the wings is sophomore quarterback Luke Eblen (5-10, 165), who had a promising freshman campaign in 2007. The plan calls for Wood to take shotgun snaps, often with only one running back. Orient-Macksburg senior Tony Cruz (5-9, 160) offers quickness at the position that now calls for as many screens and swing passes as runs from handoffs. Sophomore Kolton Thatcher (5-9, 155) is the backup. The tight end is a key figure in this offense, aptly manned by junior Jared Bevins (6-1, 200) along with junior Travis Kipp (6-0, 190) and sophomore Will Reasoner (6-3, 190). Two big-play threats line up at the Z (flanker) and H (slot) positions in juniors Kevin Irr (5-7, 155) and Seth Pals (5-8, 155). Speedy junior Brody Jay (5-9, 160) offers the same big-play potential as a backup as Irr and Pals get occasional rest while also drawing full-time defensive duty in the secondary. Likewise, junior Tyler Pettit (5-9, 165) and sophomore Jordan Leach (5-8, 145) provide depth. A big target at the X (wide receiver) position is 6-5, 180-pound junior Spencer Bakerink. Senior Kyle Ritchhart (5-11, 165), battling shoulder problems, will help at the position, as will senior Brent Young (5-8, 160). Linemen Of course, none of these playmakers will operate at full potential without solid play up front. Junior Nick Neitzel (6-1, 230) earned District 8 honorable mention as a sophomore, but is the only regular returnee in the line. He will protect Wood’s back as the left tackle. Seniors Pete Myers (6-2, 180) and Joe Putzier (6-4, 240) along with sophomore Jordan Hayes (6-1, 220) are also working at tackle. Top guards are junior Ryan Maitlen (6-2, 290) and senior Brandon Frey (6-0, 180). Depth is provided by seniors Willy Drake (5-9, 220) and Todd Ramaeker (5-9, 160). Senior Jeremy Hayes (5-8, 165) and junior Jordon Leonard (5-10, 200) could also help. The new center is junior Keaton Lundquist (5-10, 200), backed up by sophomore Nick Ray (5-8, 230). Kipp returns as the long snapper, Pals is the placekick holder, and Irr handles kicking and punting duties. Creston/Orient-Macksburg JV-Varsity Roster (* — Letterman) Seniors — Brent Young (5-8, 160), WR/DB; *Grant Wood (6-3, 215), QB/DE;*Todd Ramaeker (5-9, 160), FB/LB; Clay Daggett (5-8, 165), TE/LB/P; Pete Myers (6-2, 180), T/DE; *Tony Cruz (5-9, 160), RB/DB; *Kyle Ritchhart (5-11, 165), WR/DB; Jeremy Hayes (5-8, 165), G/DT; *Brandon Frey (6-0, 180), G/LB; Aaron Paup (5-11, 185), T/DT; Joe Putzier (6-4, 240), T/DT; Willy Drake (5-9, 220), G/DT. Juniors — *Kevin Irr (5-7, 155), WR/DB/PK/P; Tyler Pettit (5-9, 165), WR/DB; *Seth Pals (5-8, 155), HB/DB; *Jared Bevins (6-1, 200), TE/LB; *Travis Kipp (6-0, 190), TE/DE; Jackson Foreman (5-9, 180), G/DT; *Nick Neitzel (6-1, 230), T/DE; Jordon Leonard (5-10, 200), G/DT; Keaton Lundquist (5-10, 200), C/DT; Ryan Maitlen (6-2, 290), T/DT; Brian Meyer (5-10, 160), WR/DB; *Brody Jay (5-9, 160), WR/DB; Spencer Bakerink (6-5, 180), WR/DB. Sophomores — Luke Eblen (5-10, 165), QB/DB; Jordan Leach (5-8, 145), WR/DB; Kolton Thatcher (5-9, 155), RB/LB; Alec Paup (5-10, 165), RB/LB; Derek Pellman (5-10, 165), G/LB; Will Reasoner (6-3, 190), WR/DE; Michael Tucker (6-1, 205), T/DT; Imani Deal (5-8, 160), C/DT; Jordan Hayes (6-1, 220), T/DT; Nick Ray (5-8, 230), C/DT; Klint Craft (5-9, 130), WR/DB; Chase Blazek (6-0, 145), WR/LB. Coaching staff — Head coach Dick Bergstrom, Brian Morrison, Galen Zumbach, Steve Tussey, Shawn Miller, Darrell Frain, Monte Neitzel, John Rose, Steve Birchard, Ryan Deutmeyer, Nick Blakesley. FRESHMEN Alan Smith, Alex Davis, Collin Bevins, Evin Scadden, Matt Rehmeyer, Tyler Long, Dylan Hower, Sean Meyer, Kolby Shaw, Jalen Sawtelle, Cody Bristow, Brandon Utley, Brad Weis, Andrew Palmer, Jacek Holmes, Keegan Lohoff, Zack Schaefer, Caleb Reed, Tyler Sullivan, Darren Wilker, David Thompson, David Reeves, Dusty Hallett, Dakota Spurrier, Eric Lanning. Coaches — Steve Birchard, Ryan Deutmeyer. —————— Larry Peterson can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 232 or lpeterson@crestonnews.com