In a must-win game to potentially decide playoff seeding, PCM’s football squad used a strong second half to outlast Chariton and spoil their Senior Night with a 35-7 victory.
The Mustangs and Chargers were locked in a defensive slugfest in the first half that included two failed red zone attempts and three total missed field goals from both teams. After Chariton missed their second field goal of the night, Aiden Anderson took over on the ensuing drive, breaking off a 55-yard run on the first play and capped the drive with a 25-yard touchdown catch from Gavin Van Gorp to make it 7-0 PCM at halftime.
In the second half, Carson Vandelune came in at quarterback and shined in the spotlight as he completed all seven passes for 161 yards and three touchdowns. The scoring in the second half got started with a 12-yard touchdown run from Kaden Hale. After Chariton made it 14-7, Vandelune connected on a 63-yard touchdown pass to Matt Rosonke. Vandelune added touchdown passes to Jake Eslinger and Adrian Robbins to round out the scoring. Coach Greg Bonnett says that Vandelune’s performance was the difference in the victory.
“Definitely Vandelune gave us the spark we needed offensively. He did give up a touchdown but that is going to happen. The kid threw a heck of a ball and the kid made a heck of a catch. But that’s what we needed. I thought he was really good tonight in terms of throwing the ball and the guys didn’t drop it, they caught it.
With the win, PCM goes to 3-4 on the season and 2-2 in district play. The Mustangs will close out the season next Friday as they travel north to Story County to take on the Roland-Story Norsemen. If PCM wins, they will lock up third place in the district.