The Pleasantville Trojan Football team dropped a 49-0 first-round playoff decision to the Van Meter Bulldogs Friday evening in the Class 1A contest played in Van Meter.

The No. 3 ranked Bulldogs were dominant from start to finish throughout the night. Pleasantville Head Coach Mack Jorth told his team at the end of the night he was proud of their effort.

The Bulldogs held quarter leads of 14-0, 21-0 and 42-0 en route to the 49-0 triumph. Van Meter’s defense was strong all night long and they were never threatened by the Trojans offense.

Van Meter’s offense was led by quarterback Ben Gilliland and tailback Ben Gordon. The G and G tandem proved to be nearly unstoppable. The Bulldogs drove 45 yards for a score on their first possession capped off by Gordon with a 4-yard run for the score. The next time they had the ball it was a 46-yard drive which ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass by Gilliland for a 14-0 advantage.

Pleasantville gave a strong defensive effort throughout the first half. The only score in the second quarter came with 11 seconds left before intermission on a 4-yard Gordon dash to pay dirt.

Halftime statistics showed Van Meter with 15 first downs to three for the Trojans. The offensive leader for the dogs was Gordon with 128 yards rushing at halftime.

It was special teams that sparked Van Meter in quarter number three. The score quickly got out of hand for the Trojans in the third stanza. A 75- yard kickoff return followed by a 46-yard punt return put the tally at 35-0.

One more score in the third and one in the fourth put the final at 49-0.

Offensively the top play of the night for the Trojans was a 29 yard pass from Parker Sheets to Yusef Gully. Other top plays for PHS was an 11-yard run by Caleb Cook and another of 16.

Van Meter moves down the tournament trail with a record of 8-1. The Trojans wrap up play at  4-5 overall. The Trojans are coached by Mack Jorth.