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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Pekin pummels Earlham
Panthers improve to 9-0, win first game of Class A playoffs
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Pekin has been undaunted all season long. The Panthers endured second have surges by North Mahaska, and most recently by Danville, which threatened to derail not only Pekin’s undefeated season but could have put its Class A District 5 title in jeopardy.
The Panthers dug deep and came away with victories in both games. With their perfect record intact, they left nothing to chance in their first game of the Class A playoffs. Pekin set the tone when it forced and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, and went on to win 42-7 over Earlham on Friday.
Senior Nolan Glick led the way for Pekin with 145 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He sprinted in from 32 yards out to cash in the Panthers opening kick recovery.
Glick’s third score of the game made it 35-7 early in the fourth quarter a few plays after Pekin picked up a key third-and-9 with a unique play call. Landon Crow lined up under center, but the snap went to Henry Adam in the shotgun. Adam faked a handoff to quarterback Riley Smith, who motioned from the right, then spun back and raced forward for 17 yards.
Takeaways were critical for Pekin to keep a firm grip on the game. Up 28-0 with 1:58 to play in the second quarter and the ball on the Pekin 49, the Panthers went for the jugular. But instead, Glick mishandled a handoff to Henry Adam and the Cardinals fell on the football in Pekin territory.
Earlham’s opportunity to cut into the lead before halftime was increased after a pass interference call on the first play of the drive. Another of Pekin’s opponents could potentially swing the momentum of a game the Panthers initially dominated.
Instead of relenting and giving up points, Pekin stripped Earlham’s Brady Reynolds. Crow zoomed toward the loose ball, diving on it first and preserving the first half shutout.
Crow led the way for Pekin in the turnover department. The senior recovered two fumbles and had an interception Friday. Pekin recovered three fumbles total, and won the turnover battle 4-1.
Smith added a rushing touchdown to go with Glick’s four when he ran it in from 12 yards out to make it 21-0 Pekin. Smith also had an efficient day through air, completing 7 of 11 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. He hit Alijah Brock on a screen pass that Brock took 34 yards to put Pekin up 14-0.
The win extends Pekin’s record to 9-0 this season. The Panthers advance to the Class A second round, which is where their season came to an end last year with a 33-0 loss at the hands of Madrid.
