Night of 1sts in Columbus win over Pekin

COLUMBUS JUNCTION — It was 1994 when the Wildcats last defeated the Panthers in football and 1988 when it last happened in Columbus Junction.

Columbus defeated Pekin 42-14 Friday to snap a seven-game series win streak by the Panthers .

“I thought we played a great game overall,” Columbus head coach Dave Lekwa said. “Our line did a nice job all night.”

That line led the Wildcats to six touchdown drives out of seven possessions. It was able to give Kaden Amigon room to run because he averaged a first down every time he touched the ball (20 carries for 245 yards, a 12.3 average per rush). Amigon saw the end zone three times, Triston Miller twice and Andrew Gonzalez tallied a rush touchdown. Miller had 57 yards on eight carries, Gonzalez 35 on three.

“I felt like our defense tackled well and played with good speed,” Lekwa said. “It was a great night for the boys, and nice to get a district win.”

Logan Bright was the leading tackler for Columbus with 10, seven solo.

“We fumbled the ball away two times, once near scoring after a long opening drive,” Pekin head coach Klynt Weber said. “We played from behind the whole game and could never catch up.”

Blake Juhl helped hold the home team scoreless in the third quarter. Juhl had 9.5 tackles, Colton Comstock 5.5 and Sven Dahlstrom 5.0.

Trailing 21-0 at halftime, Pekin battled back and punched in a touchdown by Comstock in the third quarter. The Panthers recovered an onside kick and scored on that possession at the very beginning of the fourth quarter but then gave up a big play on defense. Columbus pulled away with the win.

“We did have more offensive production and consistency than most games but once again turnovers were the issue,” Pekin head coach Klynt Weber said.

Comstock ran 29 times for 97 yards and threw 10 passes with Luke Long catching five for 83 yards.

The Panthers are 0-5 and play host to Lisbon (4-1) Friday while Columbus (2-3) travels to North Mahaska (2-3).