Greene County’s football team fell 36-32 on KG98 and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com onFriday night to Creston/Orient-Macksbug in Creston in non-district play to fall to 2-2 on the season. The Panthers improved to 3-1 in a game full of excitement  that saw the Rams lead 7-0, trail 15-7, lead 17-15, trail 29-17, lead 32-29, trail 36-32, then drive in the closing seconds to the Panthers’ 27 before getting a pass picked off with one second remaining.

The Panthers had 195 rushing yards and all five touchdowns from junior Chase Schiltz, a state wrestling champion, who carried the ball 37 times. He also ran for two conversion points, and intercepted a pair of Greene County passes.

The Rams had 208 passing yards and 199 rushing yards from senior quarterback Daric Whipple, who ran for scores of 48 and 71 yards, and threw TD passes to Nick Schroeder of 68 and five yards. He also had a conversion run for two points. Schroeder kicked a 23 yard field goal as well and was three for three on extra point kicks.

Greene County out gained the Panthers 493-363, but four turnovers were costly, as were numerous penalties, including one that wiped out a 38 yard TD pass on the final play of the first half. The Rams also had to settle for a field goal after the Panthers were called for pass interference in the end zone.

The Rams go from the frying pan to the fire after the tough loss to one of Class 3A’s 2014 playoff semifinalists in Creston/Orient-Mackburg. Greene County meets fourth ranked, 4-0 Webster City on Sept. 25 at Linduska Field after playing three of the first four games on the road. Coverage Friday on KG98 and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com starts at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.