March 29, 2024

PCM’s stout defense seeks another strong effort in UNI-Dome

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Prairie City-Monroe senior Olin Meinders thinks very highly of his team’s offensive playmakers.

But the starting linebacker also feels the Mustang defense has guys who can make plays, too.

Through 11 games, top-ranked PCM has allowed 101 points. And the starters are surrendering just 7.27 points per game this season.

“I think we have as many playmakers on defense as we do on offense,” Meinders said. “We are fast and explosive on offense, but I think that carries over to the defense, too. You add in a strong defensive line, and it’s hard to get anything by us.”

The defense had its worst game of the season in the state quarterfinal game against Williamsburg. But the Mustangs still held all-state running back Gage Hazen-Fabor to 40 yards under his per game average.

The Raiders’ offense also was aided by a few turnovers and the final TD on a 34-point night by Williamsburg came in the final 20 seconds.

Still, PCM’s defense wants to prove that effort was not the norm.

“I think we have excellent players who understand our defense,” PCM head coach and defensive coordinator Greg Bonnett said. “Most of them have been playing in it for two and three years now. They know what the strengths and weaknesses to our defensive scheme is and they now how to adjust to account for the things we are susceptible against.”

Asking a majority of the defensive standouts, all of them say Bonnett is the key to how well the defense has played.

“It’s Bonnett. He has the coverages, he game plans, he watches more film than anyone I know,” senior Nick Dredge said. “He watches all the films. He puts us in the right spots for almost every play.”

Dredge is the leader in the secondary for the Mustangs. He comes into the game with five interceptions, which ranks tied for sixth in Class 2A. His 12 career picks is a school record.

The Mustangs come into Saturday’s state semifinal at the UNI-Dome ranked third in 2A with 17 interceptions and are tied for sixth with 14 fumble recoveries. Ten players have at least one pick and 11 have at least one fumble recovery.

PCM opened the season with a 50-10 win over Newton.

In that game, the Mustangs didn’t allow a point after the first quarter, and held the Cardinals to 25 points below their season average.

“It all starts with Greg Bonnett. He coaches us up really well. He’s got our keys down and makes sure we know what we are looking at,” said senior linebacker Brycen Rogers, who leads the team with 52 tackles and also has seven tackles for loss. “We know what we have to do at the start of each play. If we just focus and think about what we have to do before each play. We are a very physical defense, too.”

In Week 2, PCM held West Marshall to 24 points below its season average.

The Trojans, a playoff team in 2A, rushed for 165 yards but 71 came on one play. Take that one play out and the Mustang defense held West Marshall to 2.5 yards per carry below its season average.

Pella Christian is playing in the state semifinals in 1A this weekend. The Eagles averaged 29.7 points per game in 2018 but were shut out by the Mustangs in Week 3.

Then PCM’s starters pitched a shutout against Roland-Story in the first half of Week 4. They didn’t play a down in the second half when the Norse put in 14 points against backups.

“We have a lot of really good players, but it’s 90 percent Bonnett,” senior defensive back Nick Buswell said. “He tells us where to go and what to do. We learn it from him and then go out and show it on the field.”

The defense shut out a Chariton team who made the postseason and averaged 31 points per game.

Des Moines Christian entered its game against PCM as the top offense in the state but scored 12 points, which was 32 points below its season average.

The Mustangs had four shutouts this season and held opponents to single digits six times. Their 82 tackles for loss ranks second in 2A.

“Bonnett comes up with some really good schemes and we play well with each other, too,” senior defensive end Brayton Van Dyke said. “We know where everyone is going to be and have each other’s backs.”

Van Dyke was one of a few players who missed at least one game this season. He was on his way to an all-state season at defensive end before an injured ankle sidelined him for two games and then he played only offense during his first game back from injury.

Van Dyke still has a team-high 13 solo tackles for loss and a team-best four sacks.

Senior Cole Dustin has 10 solo tackles for loss and three sacks from his defensive end position, and he missed last week’s game because of an ejection he was given in the first-round game against Kuemper Catholic.

Dustin should provide the Mustangs with a boost on the edge against a West Liberty team which has rushed for 1,682 yards this season.

“It’s hard to really put up a bunch of numbers on this team because everyone just runs to the ball so fast and everyone makes plays,” Dustin said. “Last week was tough. I couldn’t even be on the sidelines. I am glad to be back this week.”

The PCM defense also has a lot of versatility. Bonnett, and defensive backs coach Rusty Vos, can use Buswell and senior Payton Strovers as both a cornerbacks or safeties depending on the opponent’s offensive schemes.

Both Strovers and Buswell have two interceptions this season. Buswell, who missed the first three games of the season, has 26 1/2 tackles and Strovers has 25.

“It comes back to coaching. Bonnett puts us in spots where we can make plays,” Strovers said. “He likes to use my speed to our advantage.”

West Liberty is averaging 28 points per game and 4.3 yards per rush. The Comets only scored six points against 1A West Branch and was shut out against 3A Solon. But put up 42 points in last week’s playoff game against Benton.

PCM’s defensive line, which includes Dustin, Van Dyke, senior Andrew Van Ryswyk and juniors Jace Smith and Seth Greiner, will try to put pressure on quarterback Seth Feldman. He’s competing 59 percent of his throws and has 19 touchdown passes.

“Bonnett comes up with a great scheme. He puts us in position to be successful,” senior linebacker Isaac Telfer said. “And our individual coaches do a great job with us, too.”

James Nolin is the defensive line coach. He gets help with that unit from Travis Block. Greiner leads that group with 37 tackles, which ranks third on the team.

Bonnett heads up the linebackers, which includes Rogers, Telfer, Meinders and seniors Jarron Trausch and Chance Palm.

Trausch is second on the team with 41 tackles and also has 11 tackles for loss and two sacks. Telfer, who also missed the first three games, has 31 tackles and eight tackles for loss and Meinders comes into the game with 28 tackles and three tackles for loss.

“We are all very good at just doing our job and focusing on what we are supposed to do,” said Palm, who has 20 tackles this season. “We have our assignments, and each person does their job and when that happens, the unit works really well together.”

PCM (11-0) and West Liberty (8-3) kick off their state semifinal game at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The Mustangs, who have won 19 of their last 20 games, are trying to be the first team in school history to reach the state championship game. No PCM football team has ever started a season 12-0 either.

“Winning is fun, but it means even more to be doing this with all the guys I grew up with,” Telfer said. “We have been playing together since seventh grade.”