Seven seniors earn all-state football honors
Nov. 20—It's only fitting a historic season is followed by a historic number of Panthers earning Class 3A All-State football honors. Last year, running back Brennan Hayes was the sole all-state player, earning a spot on second team. This season, seven made the cut — five of them on first team, two unanimously and all of them seniors.
First team
Earning his spot as the number one quarterback in Class 3A was senior Cael Turner.
A team captain and unanimous first team all-district selection, Turner finished the season 181-284 for 2,993, averaging 16.3 yards per catch and leading Class 3A. His yardage surpasses the program's single-season record of 2,868 yards by Alex Nielsen from the 2014 Dome season that ended at 10-3. Creston played one less game this year, ending 11-1. His 181 completions is also a new single-season record.
Turner threw for 34 touchdowns this year, taking program record and ranking 35th in the state, all time. Also a threat on the ground, Turner had six rushing touchdowns and 375 yards. He had two receptions this season, one for a touchdown.
Hayes made all-state for the second year in a row, this time as a unanimous first-team selection. Hayes rushed for 1,784 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per carry. He had 17 rushing touchdowns. He was a triple threat between running, receiving and kicking. He had 42 receptions for 881 yards and eight touchdowns. His single-season receiving yards are second only to this season's effort by Brandon Briley.
His career rushing yardage of 3,806 is second only to Chase Shiltz's total of 5,329. Hayes was the Class 3A all-purpose yardage leader this season at 2,470 yards.
Rounding out the offensive first team selections was offensive lineman Quinten Fuller. The Panthers' offensive line was integral to its dynamic offense that averaged 38.75 points per game.
On defense, Max Chapman and Dylan Calvin earned first team honors. Chapman earned his way as a defensive lineman. This season, Chapman logged 55.5 total tackles including 33 solo and two sacks. His 26.5 tackles for loss led Class 3A.
Calvin was a unanimous selection at defensive back after he led Class 3A in interceptions this season with six. He had 30.5 total tackles including 23 solo and a tackle for loss.
Second team
One offensive and one defensive player earned second team honors.
Wide receiver Briley earned second-team honors after an explosive year for the Panthers. Briley led the Panthers in receiving with 52 catches for 897 yards and 13 touchdowns. He holds these Panther records now — receptions in a season (52), receiving yards in a season (897), TD receptions (13), career receptions (91), career wide receiver yards (1,621) and career wide receiver touchdowns (17).
Defensive back McCoy Haines was a unanimous second-team selection. Haines was a force against both the run and pass. He logged 54.5 total tackles including 37 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions.
