District season kicks off

CNA photo by TERRY FREEMAN On the doorstep: Creston/O-M head coach Dick Bergstrom has 199 career victories heading into FridayÕs district opener against Adel-DeSoto-Minburn.

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Forget Iowa vs. Iowa State. For Michael Whisner and Dick Bergstrom, the big game this week is in Creston. Adel-DeSoto-Minburn plays at Creston/Orient-Macksburg Friday on the opening week of Class 3A District 8 play, and both head coaches see the matchup as a key one in getting a foot in the postseason door. “It’s a big game,” said Whisner, in his 17th season as coach of the ADM Tigers. “Both of us have a shot at being in the top four of the district.” Two years ago ADM slipped into one of the two spots from District 7 despite a 5-4 record, after upsetting favored Winterset to win the tiebreaker at 5-2, behind Chariton’s 7-0. Last year, ADM was lodged in a three-way tie for first place in the district at 6-1 with Carlisle and Pella, but missed out on one of the playoff spots on the point differential tiebreaker. “We had to score two more points against Pella to get in,” Whisner said. “That’s how close it was. In the new system (four qualifiers) we would have had a shot to do something last year.” ADM was 7-2 overall a year ago, graduating all-state quarterback Troy Ticknor and all-state running back Zach Hutzell, who both surpassed 1,200 yards in passing and rushing, respectively. However, the Tigers return 10 defensive starters and an all-state tight end, Wes Nordquist, who has been converted to quarterback. Position switch Nordquist, listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, takes over for opening-game starter Chad Pickering, a 5-8, 160-pound junior. ADM lost the opening game 23-6 to Dallas Center-Grimes before rebounding for a 10-6 victory over Ballard of Huxley last week. Running back Tyler Pierce, a 6-2, 220-pound senior, has scored 10 of ADM’s 16 points this year on a kick return against Dallas Center-Grimes, and a 27-yard field goal against Ballard. He has also played a few downs as a shotgun formation quarterback, much like Kalab Evans for Creston/O-M last year. Running back Ed Osburne, 6-1, 175-pound senior, scored the touchdown against Ballard on a 23-yard option play. “We’re making some improvements in our offensive consistency as we decide who is playing where,” Whisner said. “Wes played quarterback as a freshman and sophomore, and he has shored up that position for us.” The defense has been strong, featuring all-district players T.J. Wilkerson, Pierce and Michael Chapman in the secondary, Ryan Goodale at linebacker and Nordquist at defensive end. Chapman is also the primary offensive passing target as a 6-5, 195-pound senior wideout. The Tigers like balance in the running and passing game, but have been known to spread the field with as many as four receivers in a spread look similar to Creston/O-M’s set. “We know Creston likes to spread the field,” Whisner said, “but our game with Ballard was very physical, and that’s how we see our games in the new district.” Creston/O-M beat ADM 33-0 during a 9-1 season in 2001 and 34-14 during an 8-4 campaign in 2000 the last time the two teams were assigned to the same district, but ADM has had success since then. Whisner has coached four playoff teams and three district champions with a record of 79-68. “It’s difficult to compare scores, but in looking at things so far I would say it’s pretty much a tossup between ADM, Glenwood, Lewis Central and us for the spots (behind district favorite Harlan), and Atlantic if they get their injured quarterback replaced,” Bergstrom said. “So, this is a pretty important game in that respect. I’m sure they are not overly impressed with us, having given up 53 points last week.” Injury update The 53-20 defeat to Grinnell was costly from a personnel standpoint, too. Middle linebacker Jared Bevins suffered a neck sprain and was withheld from contact until today. Quarterback Grant Wood sat out much of the second half after aggravating a shoulder strain, but appears to be ready to go Friday. Kyle Ritchhart and Clay Daggett have both played strong safety and are nursing injuries this week. Ritchhart has a reoccurring shoulder injury and Daggett suffered a deep thigh bruise in practice Tuesday. On the positive side, Creston showed some depth on a scoring drive before Grinnell substituted, as sophomore Luke Eblen spelled Wood at quarterback and the line on that drive included reserves Joe Putzier and Jackson Foreman on the same side. Bergstrom said the team needs to put away the Grinnell defeat and play sharp against comparable district competition. “In watching six to eight teams on film so far in scouting tapes, right now Grinnell is the best team we’ve seen,” Bergstrom said. “They get off the ball well on both sides, and they have good backs. But, we had some alignment concerns that made it difficult to contain them. We spent a lot of time reviewing film and addressing those things with the young men, so we can compete better in that situation.” Creston/O-M’s offense must improve its use of the screen pass and dumping off to available receivers against pressure on the quarterback, Bergstrom said, because ADM has shown some blitzing and line stunts so far. “They’re aggressive,” Bergstrom said, “but if they’re bringing seven guys, then there should be an opportunity to find somebody open.” Scoreboard The parity of Creston/O-M’s opponents can be seen in scores to date. Lewis Central (2-0) beat Class 1A rated Council Bluffs St. Albert in overtime, 27-24, one week after St. Albert knocked off Glenwood in overtime. Glenwood also lost to 2A Clarinda, 24-21, in two overtimes. Denison-Schleswig beat Atlantic 13-3, after Trojan third-year quarterback Jacob Hartwig suffered a broken collarbone in the opening 19-7 loss to Clarinda. Harlan (1-1) lost at No. 1-rated Sioux City Heelan, 28-13, after the Cyclones defeated Denison-Schleswig, 20-7. Winterset and Clarke are both 0-2 entering district play. Whiteout Creston/O-M football cheerleaders are promoting the theme, “Whiteout Night,” for Friday’s home game against Adel-DeSoto-Minburn. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game. Game Facts Who: Adel-DeSoto-Minburn at Creston/Orient-Macksburg What: Class 3A District 8 game Where: Panther Field, Creston When: 7:30 p.m. Friday (freshman game at 5 p.m.) Last meeting: Creston/O-M 33, ADM 0 in 2001. Last week: ADM scored 10 points in the second half while shutting out Ballard in a 10-6 victory. Running back Ed Osburne scored on a 23-yard option run, and Tyler Pierce kicked a 27-yard field goal. Creston/O-M competed early with Grinnell, trailing 8-7, but fell behind 32-13 by halftime and never challenged in a 53-20 defeat. Coaches: Creston/O-M — Dick Bergstrom (32nd season, 38th overall), career record 199-144; ADM — Mike Whisner (17th season, 28th overall) 79-68 at ADM. Creston/O-M (1-1, 0-0) OFFENSE WR Spencer Bakerink 6-5 180 Jr. TE Jared Bevins 6-1 200 Jr. T Aaron Paup 5-11 185 Sr. G Ryan Maitlen 6-2 290 Jr. C Keaton Lundquist 5-10 200 Jr. G Brandon Frey 6-0 180 Sr. T Nick Neitzel 6-1 230 Jr. FL Kevin Irr 5-7 155 Jr. QB Grant Wood 6-3 215 Sr. RB Tony Cruz 5-9 160 Sr. SB Seth Pals 5-8 155 Jr.

DEFENSE DE Travis Kipp 6-0 190 Jr. T Nick Neitzel 6-1 230 Jr. T Jordan Hayes 6-1 220 So. DE Pete Myers 6-2 180 Sr. MLB Jared Bevins 6-1 200 Jr. OLB Todd Ramaeker 5-9 160 Sr. OLB Brandon Frey 6-0 180 Sr. CB Seth Pals 5-8 155 Jr. CB Tony Cruz 5-9 160 Sr. SS Clay Daggett 5-8 165 Sr. FS Kevin Irr 5-7 155 Jr.

ADM (Adel) (1-1, 0-0) OFFENSE WR Eric Scott 6-3 175 Sr. LT ChaseUster 6-1 225 Sr. LG Ryan Goodale 5-11 205 Sr. C Colin Buchman 5-10 220 So. RG Alex Reams 5-11 205 Jr. RT Colin Harrington 6-1 200 Sr. WR Frank Casey 6-2 170 Jr. WR Michael Chapman 6-5 195 Sr. QB Wesley Nordquist 6-6 225 Sr. RB Tyler Pierce 6-2 220 Sr. RB Edward Osburne 6-1 175 Sr. DEFENSE DE Edward Osburne 6-1 175 Sr. DT Zachary Brennan 6-0 195 Jr. DT Dalton Peshel 6-3 225 Sr. DE Chase Huster 6-1 225 Sr. LB Ryan Goodale 5-11 205 Sr. LB Carson Marshall 5-8 185 Jr. LB Alex Reams 5-11 205 Jr. CB Taylor Wilkerson 6-0 185 Sr. CB Jordan Mandernach 5-11 175 Jr. S Frank Casey 6-2 170 Jr. S Joshua Sampson 5-8 175 So. —————— Larry Peterson can be reached at 782-2141, ext. 232 or lpeterson@crestonnews.com