Pekin, Cobras score crucial wins

Two football teams that experienced victory Friday were rewarded because of the time spent during the week practicing.

Sigourney-Keota defeated the burden of missing last year's playoffs with an 8-1 record with a 31-14 win over Mediapolis, the team responsible for the one in the Cobras record.

'Guys that played in last year's game knew this game weighed heavily on our minds all season long,” SK head coach Jared Jensen said.

Pekin rebounded from a 49-0 loss to SK with a 38-12 win over Louisa-Muscatine.

'I felt the turning point in the game took place Monday through Thursday,” Pekin head coach Brent Blakely said. 'Our kids bounced back from a tough outing and worked hard.”

After being shut out in two games, canceling another and scoring a field goal in a fourth, Pekin's total was the most points in a game since defeating Davis County Sept. 20 of last year 42-14.

Blakely said the Panthers played better all around, started and finished with good intensity, and did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage.

'I was really proud of our senior leadership this week and how we got to work and refocused during the week,” Blakely said. 'That mentality carried into the game.”

Pekin's offensive line (Cael Lyle, Brady Latcham, Gage Gillam, Blake Juhl, Gage Farrier, Cole Earnest, Dylan Krueger) set the tone at the beginning of the game, sustaining blocks for backs to run through nice holes.

The Cobras did not let the hype affect them throughout the week leading up to the game.

'We have consistently talked about playing against our potential not against the other team's ability,” Jensen said. 'There was a little tension and nervousness this week at practice early on, but each day we grew more confident and really were dialed in on this game.”

Jensen said practice time gives the assistant coaches for the Cobras the ability of 'getting our kids in the right situations and schemes for our guys to just play football.”

Everyone wants to talk about offense and the points, but Sk's defense was the difference Friday.

'Our defense has suffocated our opponents and found ways to get stops when it really counts,” Jensen said. 'We have a heavy rotation in the D-line and they have been selfless in buying into team football. They aren't going to get the glory, but if they are doing their jobs right the guys behind them will and it's a direct reflection on them.”

Pekin has been through a lot but have improved. 'That's a testament to the kind of kids we have,” Blakely said.