CWL makes most of postseason opportunity

CEDAR FALLS - The move to eight-player football is the best thing that could have happened to the Corwith-Wesley-Lu Verne football program.

The Panthers are now playing schools with similar enrollment, and no longer have to fight their battle with low numbers.

After eight years of competing in an eight-player football class that debuted in 2000, CWL is now among the elite programs in the state.

The fifth-ranked Panthers (10-1 overall) will make their very first trip to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls this Friday to take on No. 8 Lenox (11-1) in a state semifinal. Kickoff is set for 10:30 a.m.

Lenox lost to eventual state champion Stanton 78-14 in a semifinal game last year. Top-ranked Stanton (12-0) will continue their title defense Friday afternoon in a 1:30 p.m. semifinal against No. 4 Armstrong-Ringsted (11-1).

Ten returning starters have led the Panthers to the best season in school history. Their bid for a playoff berth came up short last fall, as they finished third in their district with a record of 4-2 behind North Kossuth and Armstrong-Ringsted. The overall finish of 7-2 did set a school record, but the Panthers went into the offseason hungry for more.

"We needed to get stronger, work to be in better shape, and fill the spots of players we lost," said 13-year head coach Ken Burrington. "With the change of the playoff format, we weren't accepting anything short of getting to the playoffs."

The Panthers - District 3 champions - beat West Central (50-34), Ventura (28-18), and Janesville (42-0) in advancing to the semis. A 54-26 loss to Armstrong-Ringsted in Week 2 has been their only setback this season.

"We've been trying to go with the attitude that we're are working for one more game, and want the seniors to play as many games as possible," Burrington said. "As farm kids walking into the (UNI) Dome, I'm not sure how our guys will react. I hope we can get past the initial awe, get comfortable, and play football."

Burrington's Panthers are the third best rushing team in eight-player with 3,417 yards on the ground. They are also third in total offense at 44.5 points per game.

The Panther offense is led by running backs Daniel Anderson , Tony Rasmussen, and Jason Carroll. The trio has combined to give the Panthers an average of 284 rushing yards per game.

Anderson is the Panthers' top rusher with 918 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also caught 11 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Rasmussen has gained 830 yards on the ground and leads the team with 14 scoring runs.

Carroll has rushed for 599 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Defensively, his 128 tackles are the most of any Panther.

Quarterback Tommy McGregor has rushed for 499 yards and eight scores. The senior has completed 49-of-111 passes for 815 yards and 12 TD strikes.

Wide receiver Tanner Holmes has six scoring receptions and 292 yards of receiving. Tight end Luke Wilhite has caught 12 balls for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

"We don't necessarily have any superstars, so our kids have done a much better job of playing as a team," Burrington said. "One of the big things offensively is that everyone is a threat. Teams can't focus on one player - they have to focus on shutting down the offense as a whole.

"Everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. They are trusting each other and taking care of their own responsibilities."

Lenox - a second place finisher behind Lamoni is District 6 - is back in the semifinals for the second year in a row. The Tigers' road to the dome includes wins over Harmony (57-0), Tri-County (44-8) and East Union (32-6). Their 22-24 loss to Lamoni came in Week 4.

The Tigers - third in eight-player for scoring at 46.6 points per game - are led by running back Tyler Peterson. The senior the fifth in rushing with 1,645 yards. He has scored 28 touchdowns and leads the Tigers defensively with six interceptions.

Junior running back Eric Hensley has rushed for 699 yards and 17 TDs. Quarterback Branden Cline has aired it out for 929 yards on 71-for-121 passing, including 11 touchdowns. He has thrown just three interceptions.

Junior tight end Connor Lange has caught 24 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns.

"Lenox has a couple of good running backs who run hard," said Burrington. "We have to keep them inside and can't allow any big plays. Their offensive line is rather quick, so we have to play them tough up front and can't let them push us around.''

The success of the last two seasons has been an enjoyable coaching experience for Burrington and a joy to watch for the fans of the CWL school district. The crowds for home games in Corwith, according to Burrington, have nearly quadrupled in size.

"We don't have any Division I or II type players, but maybe a couple kids who can play Division III," Burrington said. "They all know their strengths and weaknesses. They are very coachable.

"The community involvement has been wonderful. There is a great amount of excitement behind our team."

The winners of the semifinal games will play for the eight-player state championship a week from this Friday at 10:35 a.m.

Contact Ryan O'Hern at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net

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