The PCM football team will host Wilton tonight in the Class 2A state quarterfinals with a trip to the UNI-Dome on the line.
The Mustangs are 9-1 on the season and coming off a 45-31 win over Pella Christian in the second round of the playoffs last week. PCM defeated West Liberty 42-8 in their first round game after coming back from a 20 point deficit against Centerville in their last game of the regular season to win and clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
PCM’s offense this year has been led by senior quarterback Chase Wagaman who has thrown for 1,438 yards and 19 touchdowns along with rushing for 286 yards and eight touchdowns. The PCM running game has seen strong productivity from the two headed monster in sophomores Lewis Daye and Easton Morris. Daye has rushed for 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns and Morris has rushed for 640 yards and nine touchdowns. Gavin Steenhoek has been a huge contributor on both sides of the ball and special teams as he has 763 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions, six interceptions with two of them being pick sixes, and two kick return touchdowns.
PCM’s offense up front has been anchored by sophomore Hayden Shannon who is one of the best lineman in the entire state and holds a pair of power four division one offers. Keegan Fenton leads the defense in tackles this year with 58.
The Beavers are 8-2 on the year and defeated West Branch last week 30-7. Wilton has a balanced rushing and passing attack as junior quarterback Gunner Edwards has thrown for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns and junior Noah Gray has rushed for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. Wilton’s secondary has been extremely effective this season recording an impressive 19 interceptions on the season from seven different players. It’s no secret that the stakes are high heading into tonight’s game as the winner will advance to the state semifinals in the UNI-Dome. PCM Head Coach Greg Bonnett who has had the Mustangs in the playoffs all 15 years he’s been at the helm and who led the Mustangs to a state title in 2018 says it’s a big advantage to play in front of the home crowd for these games.
“It’s huge on multiple levels to wind up getting three home playoff games after a season. It’s almost like having an entire new season come in. Our stadium is absolutely beautiful. When we pack it there is something enthusiastic and magical about and it’s a great place to play football. People here love football.”
Tonight’s game in Monroe will start at 7:00 pm and you can listen to the game live on the KRLS2 stream at kniakrls.com with Clayton Sampson and Colin Halfpap on the call. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30.
Photo Credit: PCM Booster Club