Panthers spoil Keokuk homecoming

KEOKUK - When the second half began on Friday night, Mt. Pleasant put its foot on the gas pedal.

The Panthers won the final two quarters 30-0 to spoil Keokuk's homecoming game and win their fourth blowout game in a row.

Mt. Pleasant scored the first 10 points of the game, all in the first quarter. Jack Johnson finished off a Panther drive with a two-yard touchdown run midway through the period and Brady Hall hit a 37-yard field goal in the final minute.

Keokuk temporarily cut the Mt. Pleasant lead to three points when Corey Skinner found Eddie Lee for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 5:23 left in the second quarter. Mt. Pleasant responded with just 33 seconds to go in the first half, scoring on a one-yard run by Logan Bass. At the half, it was 17-7 Panthers.

A 30-yard Brady Hall field goal midway through the third quarter stretched the lead to 20-7, but the real dagger came with 20 seconds left in the period. Brody Bender found Chase Williamson for a 67-yard touchdown pass, the biggest offensive play of the game.

Mt. Pleasant tacked on three scores in the fourth. Johnson caught a 22-yard touchdown pass with just under eight minutes left, Brennen Bender caught a 12-yard touchdown pass with 2:58 remaining, and Brevin Wilson picked off a pass and brought it back 30-yards for a touchdown.

Wilson's pick-six one was one of three interceptions he had on the day. Rylan Seberg picked off one. Mt. Pleasant has 10 interceptions in its last three games.

Brody finished 10-24 for 204 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Williamson burned the Keokuk defense for 139 yards and a score, despite catching just three passes.

Johnson finished the day with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown, and added four catches for 46 yards and a touchdown to his stat total. Bass had 99 yards and a touchdown.

Mt. Pleasant moved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the district with the win. They'll host unbeaten Solon this week, with first place in the district on the line.