March 29, 2024

Area football

Van Meter 37, Central Decatur 7

LEON — Central Decatur ran into a buzzsaw in state-ranked Van Meter here on Friday, falling 37-7.

Brandon Brittain was efficient for the Bulldogs, passing 14 of 20 for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He completed passes to six different receivers, but all three touchdowns went to Ben Flaherty.

Van Meter also effectively shut down Central Decatur’s powerful running game. Peyton Gilbert led the Cardinals with 39 yards on 11 carries. Wyman Reed, who has run all over defenses throughout the season, finished with just three yards on three carries.

Peyton Pedersen went 11-of-21 passing for 55 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Connor Welch caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Pedersen. Clayton Dale caught one ball for 18 yards and Kyle Palmer had two receptions for 12 yards.

Defensively, Gilbert led the Cardinals with 10 total tackles. Marcus Foltz finished with eight total tackles, while Palmer recorded seven tackles. Senior Dillon Delong recorded five total tackles, including one solo sack.

Central Decatur, now 3-2 overall and 0-2 in Class 1A District 7, travels to Colfax Mingo (2-3, 0-3) on Friday, in an important game for Central Decatur to keep its playoff hopes alive.

PCM 35, Interstate 35 6

TRURO — Alex Middleton and Briar Vogel combined for 230 yards rushing, but it wasn’t enough as Interstate 35 fell to PCM, Monroe 35-6 here on Friday.

Middleton racked up 130 yards on 27 carries and Vogel added 100 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown. Vogel also finished 8-of-22 passing for 73 yards.

Jaylan White caught five passes for 43 yards. Daniel Kennedy had two receptions for 23 yards and Zach Goering caught one pass for 7 yards.

Defensively, Goering and Middleton led the Roadrunners with eight total tackles, each. Jon Young and Zachery Irelan each finished with five total tackles, while Garrett Heckman and Bobby Heilman each recorded four total tackles. Shane Winslow recovered a fumble for Interstate 35.

The Roadrunners, now 0-5 overall and 0-3 in Class 2A District 6, travel to Collins-Maxwell/Baxter on Friday. CMB is 2-3 overall and 0-2 in district play.