PCM football returns to familiar place, faces Wilton for return trip to Dome

The PCM football team is back in a familiar position this season.

The Class 2A No. 2 Mustangs are one win away from their second straight state semifinal and standing in the way is Wilton, which comes into the contest 8-2 and on a six-game win streak.

On paper it’s hard to know just how good the Beavers are, but PCM head coach Greg Bonnett knows his Mustangs have a tough challenge.

“I think Wilton is a very good team,” Bonnett said. “I’m very impressed with several of their players and their fullback will be the best we have seen all year. These guys are coming off a great year last year and they just kept it rolling.”

Wilton did have its best season in about 17 years last season when they finished 10-2 and lost in the 1A state semifinals.

Their two losses in 2025 were a 42-20 setback against 1A No. 3 Iowa City Regina (10-0) and a 21-20 defeat against 2A No. 4 Mid-Prairie (9-1). Both of those teams are playing in this week’s quarterfinals.

But Wilton also defeated 5-5 Sigourney/Keota, 19-14, and downed 3-6 West Liberty, 38-23. PCM defeated those two programs 47-18 and 42-8 respectively.

Wilton is led offensively by junior Gunner Edwards, who has thrown for 1,487 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s also rushed for 394 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior Noah Gray also has 809 rushing yards and nine TDs, senior Hayden Hill has 532 yards and 14 touchdowns and four different players have at least 28 catches.

“Being physical up front and striking blocks is going to be critical when dealing with their run game,” Bonnett said. “Their offensive line is physical, quick and tenacious. They have a couple backs that keep their feet moving and their quarterback can pull it and do some damage as well.

“If we totally load up for the run they will be able to pass for sure. They have a combination of big receivers and quick ones so they like to throw short to get you coming up and then throw one deep.”

The Beavers rely on a lot of two-way players. Senior Gatlin Rogers, who has 29 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns on offense, leads the defense with 60.5 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Hill has totaled 61.5 tackles, junior Bryer Putman has eight receiving TDs and five interceptions with one pick 6 and senior Gabe Brisker has a team-high 30 catches and also has snagged six picks.

Wilton’s defense has accounted for 59 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and four fumble recoveries. The Beavers rank tied for second in 2A with 19 interceptions, too.

“They stay in position really well on the back end,” Bonnett said. “Their defensive backs are athletic and physical and they get pressure up front, which makes it tough on later throws. They certainly capitalize on mistakes made in the passing game.”

PCM has one of the best special teams units in 2A. Senior kicker Dominic Witt leads the class with 62 touchbacks and is 4-of-4 in field goals and 50-of-51 in PATs.

Senior Gavin Steenhoek also has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, while Wilton has not returned a kickoff or a punt for touchdown.

The Beavers also have not kicked a field goal, have only three touchbacks and are 3-of-6 in PATs. But Wilton ranks second in two-point conversions with 21.

“Special teams become more and more important the deeper you go in the playoffs,” Bonnett said. “It’s something we are emphasizing this week. We feel like we have some stuff to clean up after last week’s game.”