In the first round of the Class 2A Playoffs, PCM battled and won a dogfight over the Clarinda Cardinals, 14-13, as broadcast on the KRLS3 stream at kniakrls.com.

The Mustangs knew that they had to play some of their best football to win, and it showed on the field. PCM got the scoring started in the first quarter, capitalizing on a Gavin Fenton interception with a 67-yard touchdown run from Aiden Anderson to make it 7-0. Clarinda came back and connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Schmitt to Marshall Durfey to tie it at 7. After both teams exchanged missed field goals, Clarinda came out in the second half and used a halfback pass to put the Cardinals into the red zone. Running back Tadyn Brown ran it in from nine yards out to make the score 13-7. Three plays later, Carson Vandelune connected on a 66-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Eslinger, which would make the score 14-13. After the two teams traded turnovers and defensive stops, Donovan Nickelson came away with the game-sealing sack on fourth down.

Aiden Anderson led PCM in rushing, as he had 19 carries for 189 yards and a touchdown. Carson Vandelune completed just four passes, but they went for 157 yards and a score. Jacob Eslinger had two catches for 86 yards and a score for PCM in their victory. Coach Greg Bonnett states that he is happy to have a guy like Eslinger on his team because of the work he puts in.

“Eslinger is the definition of a program guy. He’s the type of kid that you do anything you ask him. Is he the most dangerous player we have ever had? No. But do you want every single player to work like him for the four years that you have been here? Yeah you do. He’s a program guy, just a die-hard guy, and we are happy to have him on our team. He is just a phenomenal kid.”

With the win, PCM moves on to the next round of the playoffs and improve their overall record to 5-4. Stay tuned to KNIA/KRLS to see who the Mustangs will play next week.