Waukon too much for PCM in state semifinals

CEDAR FALLS — Classs 2A No. 3 PCM got down in the first half for the second straight week.

This time, there was no comeback or happy ending.

Fifth-ranked Waukon rushed for 302 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull away late during a 38-21 victory during the 2A state semifinals inside the UNI-Dome on Saturday night.

The Mustangs trailed 16-0 after one quarter and fell behind 24-7 in the second before getting as close as 24-21 early in the fourth quarter.

"We came out a little bit hesistant, and it showed. We weren't quite attacking the point of attack like we had this year," PCM head coach Greg Bonnett said. "We thought we could win up to the very end. We felt really good still at halftime, but it just didn't happen."

The Indians, who are playing in the dome for the fourth straight season, lost starting quarterback Creed Welch to an injury in the first half but still found a way to win.

Waukon (9-1) will try to get its second title in four years next week against No. 2 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock in the state title game. The Lions routed sixth-ranked Camanche 41-0 in the other semifinal game.

"For the some of the spots we got put in, we hung in there for sure," Bonnett said. "But on this night, we didn't play our best game and they played better for sure."

Ethan O'Neill had 192 of Waukon's 302 rushing yards and scored three times, including two fourth-quarter TDs that put the game away.

"We are probably more heavy on the run than we have been in previous years, but we'll take whatever is there," Waukon head coach Chad Beermann said. "If they can't stop the run, we'll do that or vice versa."

Senior Jacob Van Winkle scored all three touchdowns for PCM, which capped its season at 10-1. Junior Tyler Kuecker made all three of his extra point attempts.

Senior Sage Burns rushed for 114 yards. Van Winkle had two catches for 46 yards and two scores and rushed for 29 yards and another TD.

Sophomore August Stock threw for 76 yards and two TDs but also threw a pair of interceptions. He rushed for 24 yards, and senior Gatlin Boell caught one pass for 30 yards.

The Mustang defense was led by senior Andrew Mitchell's 7.5 tackles. Boell had 6.5 tackles, junior Kaden Hale finished with 5.5 tackles and senior Justin Maggard tallied 4.5 tackles.