PCM’s high-powered offense gears up for biggest challenge in state semifinals

The last three PCM football team’s to play in the state semifinals included a Van Dyke. The squads also featured a Fenton and a Burns.

Senior Trenner Van Dyke and juniors Shay Burns and Keegan Fenton will both try to help the Mustangs win a state championship just like their older brothers did back in 2018.

PCM is back in the state semifinals for the second time since winning it all in 2018 and Van Dyke hopes the end result comes with a second title in six seasons.

“I’d really like to win. It would be nice to have both Brayton and I win one,” Trenner Van Dyke said in reference to his older Brayton and the 2018 title team. “I can talk to both of them, get advice on what it’s going to be like, and it’s awesome that I’m going to get the same opportunity they had.”

Brayton Van Dyke started on the Mustangs’ recent title run to the UNI-Dome in 2018. Durant Van Dyke played on PCM’s 2020 state semifinal team and Trenner Van Dyke gets his shot this season.

The second-ranked Mustangs are one of two unbeaten teams left in Class 2A. Their first-round opponent, third-ranked Spirit Lake, is 10-1 for the third straight season.

The Indians lost 28-14 to Central Lyon-George-Little Rock in last year’s semifinals.

The four teams left in 2A all have at least 10 wins. Top-ranked West Lyon (11-0) plays fourth-ranked and defending 2A state champion Van Meter (10-1) in the other semifinal matchup.

“It’s crazy. I’m excited, but I don’t know if I’ve fully comprehended it yet,” senior Kaden Clark said. “Not only making the Dome but winning it all has been the conversation for a long time. It’s what we’ve been training for for the past four years especially.”

Trenner Van Dyke and Clark are each part of PCM’s offensive line.

Both of them have played key roles in helping the Mustang offense rank first in touchdowns (77), offensive yards (4,664) and all-purpose yards (5,596).

“If we can control their line, I think we can run the ball and that usually means we can win the game,” junior offensive lineman Braedyn Lester said.

Joining Lester, Van Dyke and Clark on the offensive line are freshman Hayden Shannon and senior Tate Birkenholtz.

And when they block for senior Adrien Robbins, it doesn’t take much for the all-state tailback to get to the second level.

Robbins ranks second in 2A with 1,902 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns. He also sits third with 22 rushing touchdowns and leads the class in yards per carry at 9.5.

Robbins separates himself from a lot of other backs because of his 305 receiving yards and 19.1 yards per reception.

“He’s the best I’ve ever coached. We had some dudes at Williamsburg, but he’s something special,” PCM Offensive Coordinator Zack Woods said. “The way he treats his offensive line and the way he treats his teammates, that has gotten him more yards than maybe he wants to admit. Those guys love him. And he loves those guys.”

Robbins was limited to one side of the ball during the second half of the Mustangs quarterfinal win over Mid-Prairie after sustaining an upper body injury in the first half.

He plans to play two ways when PCM takes the field at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but Burns ran for more than 200 yards in his absence against the Golden Hawks.

“It’s the way everything glues together. It’s a full machine,” senior tight end Harlan Shannon said. “From the receivers to the offensive line to me at tight end, we have people who work together to create holes for (Robbins) and once he gets to the second level, he’s gone man.”

While this year’s Mustang offense has galloped to the top of 2A in a lot of categories, it took some time for Woods’ power attack to take shape.

PCM averaged only 26 points per game in Woods’ first season as OC in 2022. The Mustangs finished 5-4 that season.

Last year’s unit increased its points per game to 36 but averaged only 19 through the first three games.

The last eight games of 2023 produced 42 points per contest and this year’s offense is scoring slightly more than 48 per game.

The Mustangs were held to 30 in their win over 3A quarterfinalist Nevada but lit up the scoreboard for 50 points per contest in the other 10 games.

“They had to understand what we were trying to do,” said Woods, who was the offensive coordinator at Williamsburg from 2017-2021. “It took a long time at Williamsburg, too.

“The kids bought into it and are passionate about the power system. They want to learn the tiny nuances and once they did they’ve taken off and ran with it. That’s all on them. It has nothing to do with me.”

PCM head football coach Greg Bonnett expects Spirit Lake to start the game in a three-man front on defense. But he also thinks the Indians will morph into a five-man front as the game goes on.

Spirit Lake, whose lone loss was a 42-40 setback to 3A quarterfinalist Algona in the season opener, ranks first in 2A with 99 tackles for loss and second with 30 sacks and 15 fumble recoveries. The Indians 10 interceptions rank tied for 12th.

“There’s no secret. We will run the same formation over and over and over again,” Bonnett said about his team’s offense. “It all comes down to how many they will commit to the box and how many they commit to the pass. Then it will be a chest game from there.”

JD Schneider leads Spirit Lake and ranks fourth in 2A with 85 tackles. His 17 tackles for loss is currently tied for eighth.

William Dittsworth ranks sixth in the class with 77 tackles, has 13 tackles for loss and sits tied for sixth with eight sacks. He also has a 2A-best three fumble recoveries, has snagged three interceptions and contributed one pick 6.

Ethan Stecker, an Iowa State commit, has 71.5 tackles and ranks fifth in 2A with 21 tackles for loss and adds six sacks.

Senior Tyson Robinson has produced 58.5 tackles and 14 tackles for loss and ranks tied for sixth in 2A with eight sacks. Senior Bode Higgins also has 63 tackles.

“They use a lot of blitzing linebackers and stuff,” PCM senior quarterback Gavin Van Gorp said. “We just have to make sure we know what’s going on on every play.

“Our line always does what they are supposed to do. If they play well, we’ll be fine.”

Van Gorp leads 2A with 42 total touchdowns, a 251.5 quarterback rating and a 72.4 completion percentage. His 27 touchdown passes rank second in 2A.

Van Gorp has thrown for 1,460 yards and rushed for 383 and 15 touchdowns.

While the Mustangs have dominated in the run game (3,011 rushing yards and 7.5 yards per carry), they’ve also passed for 1,653 yards, which ranks eighth in 2A.

Senior Riley Graber leads the PCM receivers with 25 catches for 591 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, which ranks second in 2A.

Junior Gavin Steenhoek has hauled in 30 passes for 378 yards and seven scores.

“We want safe passes. We’re an RPO team,” Woods said. “If we don’t have the run look we like, the pass looks wide open. Coach (Collin) Harrison is always looking at that.

“It’s not a traditional passing game. We’ll throw bubbles and screens, but if you’re playing too tight we’re not afraid to throw it deep.”

Woods gives Coach Harrison the credit when it comes to PCM’s passing game.

Harrison was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the Mustangs’ 2018 title run and 2020 trip to the semifinals.

“Coach Harrison is too good to me,” Woods said. “We’re very different people. I’m way too conservative, way too into the run game and way too predictable. He give this offense volatility in the best way possible. All of the big passing plays are coming from what he brings to the offense. We wouldn’t be where we are at without him. He gives the offense more flavor.”

Spirit Lake enters the state semifinals on a 10-game win streak. The Indians’ closest win was the 31-27 triumph over Cherokee in the first round of the playoffs.

The Indians also have postseason victories over Osage (42-14) and North Fayette Valley (42-13).

If PCM advances past Spirit Lake, the offense will have to face either Van Meter or West Lyon, who have a combined 10 shutouts this season.

West Lyon’s defense is allowing only five points per game. The Wildcats’ 30 sacks rank second in 2A.

They last played in the Dome in 2021 and were crowned 1A champions in 2019.

“We are one game away from the championship. I’m thinking about winning that title,” Birkenholtz said. “We’re so close. That’s super awesome.We have to take practice super seriously and take it one rep at a time.”

Van Meter enters the state semifinals on an eight-game win streak. The Bulldogs’ lone defeat was a 28-21 setback against 3A semifinalist Humboldt.

Van Meter’s defense is surrendering five points per game but allowing only 2.7 points per contest in its wins.

“I’m really excited. This is really big. We’ve been talking about this since we were really little,” Robbins said. “Now it’s here and we have a shot to win it. Being here with all my teammates makes it that much more exciting.”

Van Meter is the most experienced Dome team of the group. The Bulldogs have posted double-digit wins in 10 straight seasons. They have been to five straight title games and won 1A championships in 2017, 2021 and 2022.

The Bulldogs’ 23 sacks and 74 tackles for loss rank tied for fifth and fourth in 2A, respectively.

PCM and Van Meter have two common opponents. The Bulldogs defeated Des Moines Christian 27-0 and downed West Marshall 47-0.

“You still have to play football. We’ll play the same way we’ve been playing and we’ll see how it goes,” Van Dyke said. “I’m really excited. It will be fun. I’m looking forward to a new challenge and opportunity.”

The Mustangs practiced at William Penn’s indoor facility on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to Bonnett.

PCM did that in 2018 but COVID prevented the Mustangs from going back in 2020.

“William Penn has been gracious to us,” Bonnett said. “It’s a lot different playing in the UNI-Dome. It feels different. Practicing there will help us get more ready for that situation.”