Long trip, quick game
By KYLE WILSON
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kwilson@crestonnews.com
SIOUX CITY – The Creston/O-M record book was re-inked Wednesday, and not re-inked in a good way. Dating back 92 years, the Panthers underwent the school’s fourth worst football loss ever. The Panthers, the No. 4 seed in Class 3A District 8, faced the defending state champion Sioux City Bishop Heelan Crusaders, losing by a 64-point margin, 66-2, at Memorial Field.
“It wasn’t an easy night. We needed some momentum early. They are good on offense and extremely good on defense,” Creston/O-M coach Dick Bergstrom said. “Consequently, if you give them a short field, they’re going to score. (Heelan) played hard. I have nothing but respect for them. We just have to get better.”
The worst lost in school history, found by communications instructor Shawn Miller, was in 1917 to Des Moines West, 104-0.
Turnovers have plagued Creston/O-M all year. The story didn’t change against Bishop Heelan. The Panthers committed seven turnovers including two that were returned for touchdowns. Crusader defensive back Nick Berger had both touchdowns, returning a Jared Bevins fumble 50 yards and intercepting Luke Eblen, then returning it 27 yards for a touchdown.
In all, Burger had two fumble recoveries and one interception. The Crusaders held a 52-2 halftime advantage and the entire second half was played under continuous clock. Nick Sawan also intercepted Eblen twice. On the year, Eblen was 143-of-293 for 1,390 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
“I feel bad for our seniors. Ending it that way is not fun. We just didn’t have it,” Bergstrom said. “They were pretty impressive tonight. I felt the same way when I walked the field against Harlan. The improvement from last year to this year is a real positive though. We took some steps and beat some good teams. But we need to take a few more (steps) and compete with the elite teams.”
Safety
Creston/O-M’s only score was in the opening quarter with 7:05 remaining. Bishop Heelan quarterback Zach McCabe dropped back to pass and completed a 99-yard touchdown to Berger right down the middle. However, the play was negated on a block in the back call in the end zone. By rule, a hold in the end zone results in a safety.
Tight end Collin Bevins, despite a tender back, was Creston’s main source of offense. The Panthers had 167 yards of total offense and Bevins accounted for 81 yards on four catches. Bevins, just a sophomore, was primarily used in the last half of the season on offense. He racked up 20 catches for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers lose 12 seniors including all-district defensive backs Kevin Irr and Seth Pals, Tyler Pettit, Bendick Kajander, Travis Kipp, Tyler Downey, Jared Bevins, Jackson Foreman, Nick Neitzel, Keaton Lundquist, Ryan Maitlen and Spencer Bakerink.
The Panthers return key offensive players Collin Bevins and quarterback Luke Eblen as well as defensive players Michael Tucker and Jordan Hayes. The Panthers finished 5-5 overall and 4-3 inside Class 3A District 8. That moves Creston/O-M coach Dick Bergstrom’s overall record to 204-156.
Creston/O-M Football Summary
SC Bishop Heelan 66, Creston/O-M 2
Points by quarter
CHS 2 0 0 0 — 2
SCBH 14 38 0 14 — 66
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
SC — Malloy 9 run (Maxey kick), 10:22
C — Safety (end zone holding), 7:05
SC — Ives 18 pass from McCabe (Maxey kick), 3:34
Second Quarter
SC — Van Dusen 6 pass from McCabe (Maxey kick), 10:45
SC — Ives 40 pass from McCabe (Maxey kick), 9:21
SC — Malloy 54 run (Maxey kick), 7:25
SC — Berger 27 interception return (Maxey kick), 5:56
SC — Berger 32 fumbler return (Maxey kick), 5:36
SC — Maxey 37 FG, 1:40
Fourth Quarter
SC — Hickman 4 run (Maxey kick), 10:45
SC — #12 11 run (Maxey kick) 7:28
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TEAM STATISTICS
Vis Home
First downs 11 11
Rushes-yards 20-18 27-196
Passing yards 149 115
Total yards 167 290
Fumbles-lost 3-3 3-1
Penalties-yards 3-20 7-75
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — C: Irr 13-27, Bevins 4-4;
PASSING — C: Eblen 19-37-4 149; SC — McCabe 9-10-0 115
RECEIVING — Reasoner 1-9; Irr 7-19; Pettit 2-24, Scadden 1-4; C. Bevins 7-81; J. Bevins 1-12
TACKLE LEADERS (solo-assists) — Kipp 2-2, Thatcher 4-3, Neitzel 2-1
FUMBLE RECOVERIES — Maitlen
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