Mustangs lose district showdown with Lions

URBANDALE — The Class 2A District 8 showdown went to fifth-ranked Des Moines Christian on Oct. 11 as the Lions handed the ninth-ranked Mustangs their first district loss since 2015 with a 38-13 home win.

PCM trailed 10-0 at halftime and was outscored 21-7 in the third quarter. The Mustangs are now 5-2 overall and 2-1 in district play. The Lions improved to 7-0.

Aidan Anderson returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to put the Mustangs on the board. Anderson scored again on a 5-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs were plagued by three turnovers and a few key injuries in the game. They lost two fumbles and freshman August Stock also threw an interception.

Seth Greiner had 64 rushing yards on five carries in the first half but was ejected after being flagged for “throwing a punch” while running the ball in the second quarter. The game was scoreless at the time of the controversial ejection.

Already playing without all-state lineman Greiner, all-state lineman Jace Smith also was injured in the third quarter and all-state lineman Greyson Strum missed a few series with another injury.

Anderson led the Mustangs offensively with 73 rushing yards and a TD. PCM passed for only three yards in the game.

Jacob Van Winkle had nine tackles to lead the PCM defense, while Colby Tool tallied eight tackles and Justin Maggard snagged his fourth interception of the season.

DMC quarterback Jackson Waring rushed for 146 yards and two scores and threw for 155 yards and two TDs. The Lions rushed for 231 yards in the win.

PCM hosts Clarke (3-4) at 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 in Monroe.