PCM football totals 500 yards of offense in win over Pella Christian

PELLA — Lewis Daye Jr. rushed for 223 yards, Chase Wagaman accounted for five touchdowns and the PCM football team rallied past Pella Christian on Friday night.

The Class 2A No. 8 Mustangs trailed 13-7 after one quarter but dominated the rest of the way during a 58-27 road win in the 2A District 7 opener for both teams.

Pella Christian is 10-8 against the Mustangs since 2008, but PCM (3-1, 1-0 in the district) has won two straight in the series.

Daye’s big night came on the first 40 carries of his prep varsity career. He added two rushing touchdowns to his career-best 223 yards.

Wagaman was 7-of-13 through the air for 194 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 56 yards and one TD on seven carries.

Gavin Steenhoek grabbed four passes for 107 yards and two TDs, Alex Wendt hauled in three passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns and Easton Morris ran for 31 yards on 11 carries.

Wagaman’s 873 passing yards rank third in 2A. His 10 passing touchdowns are tied for third and his 15 total TDs rank tied for first in the class.

Steenhoek ranks third in 2A with 387 receiving yards, sits tied for ninth with 18 catches and is tied for first with six receiving TDs. Wendt’s 335 receiving yards is sixth in the class.

Mason Hjortshoj and Braedyn Lester led the PCM defense with seven tackles each. It was the first career varsity start for Hjortshoj.

Jax Strait totaled 5.5 tackles, Wagaman had 4.5 tackles and one interception and Steenhoek collected three tackles and one interception.

Evan Jones chipped in 4.5 tackles and Harrison Brinegar tallied four tackles.

Wagaman’s four interceptions this fall ranks tied for first in 2A and Steenhoek’s trio of picks is tied for third.

Dominic Witt added nine more touchbacks to his season total. His 24 touchbacks on 27 kickoffs lead 2A and are the second-most in Iowa.

PCM trailed 13-7 after one but outscored the Eagles 16-7 in the second, 21-7 in the third and 14-0 in the fourth.

The Mustangs averaged 58.5 points per game against Pella Christian (0-4, 0-1) the past two seasons.

Brecken Ritzert led the Eagles’ offense with 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns and 124 passing yards, one TD and two interceptions.

Caleb Volk grabbed seven passes for 108 yards and one TD. Landon Nunnikhoven led Pella’s Christian’s defense with 13.5 tackles and Anton Boender totaled 12 tackles.