Raiders end five-game slide with 42-23 victory
After a series of close losses in the past few weeks, the Collins-Maxwell-Baxter football got to enjoy a win by a comfortable margin Friday night.
Behind a mammoth 222 rushing yards and five touchdowns by junior Zach Huffaker, the Raiders (2-5, 1-2 Class 2A District 6) matched their season-high in points and snapped their five-game losing streak with a 42-23 victory over Interstate 35 in Truro.
Huffaker’s big night also included five catches for 64 yards, as well as eight tackles on the defensive end. Because of Huffaker’s night, junior quarterback Zach Samson was able slip into more of a passing role and finished the game 13-for-22 with 142 yards and touchdown through the air, as well as 33 yards on the ground.
Junior wide receiver Austin Moorman caught Samson’s lone touchdown as part of his four catches for 44 yards. Senior Zach Hartgers led the Raiders on the game with five catches for 64 yards, but made his biggest impact on defense with two interceptions.
Defensively, CMB forced three turnovers overall, with the other being a fumble recovery by senior Darrien Sadler, who also had five tackles and a sack. Hartgers and senior AJ Flora each added 10 tackles, and Flora was credited with the Raiders’ other sack.
CMB will continue its district slate with a tough home contest against Albia in Maxwell this Friday.
PCM drops close battle with Albia
The Prairie City-Monroe football team has been back on track recently after a few losses early in the season, but it couldn’t quite pull off a close district contest on the road Friday night.
Despite a comeback late in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs (3-4, 2-1 Class 2A District 6) eventually fell 35-28 to the host Blue Demons, who earned their fifth win overall and third in the district.
PCM senior quarterback Nate Vande Wall isn’t showing any signs of slowing down his big year as he threw for 409 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions with 51 total passing attempts. Senior Ethan Kain extended his hot streak as well, grabbing 10 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns. Vande Wall connected with five different receivers in the game, with senior Michael Neff grabbing the third touchdown and 81 yards.
While the passing game excelled once again, the Mustangs’ run game continued to struggle. PCM recorded on 14 yards on five carries between three backs. Junior Blake McWilliams was the leading rusher with eight of those yards, but did add a touchdown.
PCM’s defense had a busy night with Kain and juniors Zach Uhlenhopp and Justin Beener all recording interceptions. Senior Colten Jenkins led the team with 14 tackles, while fellow senior Hunter Reed joined him in double digits with 13.
The Mustangs will host Clarke (Osceola) in Monroe this Friday. Clark got off to a 3-0 start to gain some state-wide notoriety this season, but has since dropped its last four games.
TIgerhawks fall to Central Decatur 62-21
On a night where senior Jaden Van Dyke put together one of his most complete games a quarterback, the Colfax-Mingo football team was also facing one of its toughest opponents of its already tough schedule.
Van Dyke accounted for more than 300 yards of total offense and three touchdowns, but the Tigerhawks (2-5 0-4 Class 1A District 7) couldn’t keep up with high-powered Central Decatur and fell by a final of 62-21.
Despite being joined by season-starting quarterbacks junior Juan Gonzales and freshman Jared Myers in the game, Van Dyke 13-for-20 with 220 yards, three scores and an interception through air while adding 62 yards on the ground. Gonzales and Myers added eight and seven attempts, respectively, after missing the pass few weeks with various injuries.
The Tigerhawks’ run game never got going in the game, but six different receivers got into the mix. Leading them was senior Byron Johnson, who grabbed eight passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. Freshman Blake Summy barely missed out on the century mark with 99 yards and one touchdown and senior Jake Alexander caught the third touchdown on top of 40 yards. In his time at receiver in the game, Van Dyke also recorded 58 yards on two catches.
C-M got tackles contributions from 23 of its players, but it wasn’t able to force any Central Decatur turnovers. Freshman Jake Lietz led the team with nine tackles on the night.
The Tigerhawks will stay on the road this week to face Des Moines Christian, which is riding a five-game losing streak.
