Defending champ in PCM’s path of another Dome trip

PCM’s football team is seeking its third trip to the Dome since 2018.

In the Mustangs’ path is defending Class 1A state champion Van Meter, which has won 21 straight games entering their 2A quarterfinal contest on Friday.

“I think we have to do all the things at our best really,” PCM head football coach Greg Bonnett said. “The key is probably eliminating their big plays.”

The second-ranked Bulldogs are up in 2A this season after winning the 1A title last fall. They are 104-7 since 2015. During that span, they have gone undefeated twice and lost one game five times.

This year’s team is averaging 52.5 points per game and allowing only 9.3. The Bulldogs (10-0) have registered two shutouts and scored at least 50 points seven times.

Van Meter opened its postseason with a 56-7 win over Albia and then downed Union Community 56-0 last week. The Bulldogs are outscoring their last five opponents 292-16.

“Their running game is tough,” Bonnett said. “Their running back is a really good ball carrier and their quarterback is right there with him. Both of them have done a good job of breaking tackles and getting extra yards.”

Both PCM and Van Meter have relied on the running game this fall.

The Mustangs rank second in 2A with 2,925 rushing yards and the Bulldogs are fourth with 2,606. Van Meter’s 8.0 yards per carry is 2nd in 2A and PCM’s 6.8 ranks sixth.

The Mustangs’ offense is led by Adrien Robbins, who leads 2A with 1,978 rushing yards. Van Meter’s Ben Gordon is second with 1,807.

PCM’s Gavin Van Gorp has thrown for 1,330 yards and ranks tied for seventh with 18 touchdown passes. Van Meter’s Austin Baumhover has 1,222 passing yards and ranks third with 24 TD passes.

Both quarterbacks have been effective with their legs, too. Van Gorp has 368 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs, while Baumhover has gained 371 yards on the ground and scored nine times.

Griffin Olson is PCM’s top receiver. He’s hauled in 27 passes and ranks ninth in 2A with 637 yards. His 13 TD catches lead the class.

Van Meter’s Cael Trudo has 21 catches for 290 yards and seven TDs and Caleb Moore has registered 16 catches for 258 yards and six scores. Fifteen different Bulldogs have snagged at least one catch.

“I don’t think they have needed much of a passing game, but their quarterback can throw really well, too,” Bonnett said.

Defensively, PCM is led by Finn Wilson, who ranks eighth in 2A with 77 tackles. Olson’s five interceptions are tied for second.

The Mustangs rank tied for seventh with 11 picks, but Baumhover has thrown just one interception all season.

Van Meter’s defense ranks seventh in 2A with 59 tackles for loss. The Bulldogs also have 10 sacks, six fumble recoveries, nine picks and three defensive touchdowns.

Porter Doggett leads the unit with 48.5 tackles, while Cason Peterson has three intersections and one pick-six.

“Our offense has to execute really well and be as physical as we can,” Bonnett said. “There’s no doubt it will be a very physical game in the trenches and when we get a chance to make plays outside we need to make them.”

Van Meter’s one big advantage statistically is in special teams. Adlai Lounsbury leads 2A with 52 touchbacks, but PCM’s Dominic Witt ranks fourth with 28.

The Bulldogs have four kickoff return touchdowns and average 33.8 yards per kickoff return, which are both tops in 2A.

Gordon has 290 kickoff return yards and two return TDs on seven attempts. Moore has gained 245 yards and scored twice on six returns.

Moore also has a punt return touchdown and compiled 296 punt return yards.

The Mustangs (8-2) have posted two straight shutouts and enter the game winners of seven straight.

During its seven-game win streak, PCM is averaging 46 points per game and outscoring its opponents 320-69.

Kickoff for this 2A quarterfinal game will be 7 p.m. on Friday in Monroe. Bonnett hopes playing in front of home fans on their home turf can be an advantage for his team.

“I love playing at home and I know our guys do as well,” Bonnett said.  “The game environment is going to be awesome. Everybody is really excited.”

Notes: BCMoore’s website projects Van Meter as nearly a 30-point favorite with a 99 percent chance of winning.