Pekin tops Lynnville-Sully on final drive

PACKWOOD ? Senior signal caller Graham Wittrock threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another Friday to help lift Pekin to a 34-27 victory over district opponent Lynnville-Sully in Packwood.

The senior threw for 137 yards on 7-for-12 passing, and he gained 34 yards on eight carries. Of all Wittrock?s scores, his biggest of the night came with time expiring; Wittrock found junior Cade Millikin with a 69-yard touchdown strike for the go-ahead score.

?I knew Graham was going to have nights like he had Friday,? said Pekin head coach Joe Donovan. ?That?s what makes this team so fun to coach: Different players are always stepping up and they complement each other well.

?They?re finding ways to win and it doesn?t matter who they?re playing.?

Wittrock also threw touchdowns to Brody Long and Millikin in the first half, but the Panthers entered halftime trailing 19-13.

A Wittrock scramble for a score and third touchdown pass to Petie Clubb tied the game at 27-all in the second half before the final strike to Millikin lifted the Panthers.

In just his third career start, Millikin continued to prove himself a valuable addition with two touchdown catches. The junior hauled in 91 yards worth of catches.

?He?s always been a great athlete. Just playing this year, it?s already incredible what he?s contributed, and I think he?ll only get better,? Donovan said of Millikin.

Pekin running back Quentin Garrels was kept out of the end zone but still amassed 158 yards on 31 carries.

Donovan also saved praise for the Pekin rush defense, which held Lynnville-Sully?s top rusher Bailee Samson to 41 yards.

Eric Adam and Jared Bond led the Panther defense with 11 and 10 tackles, respectively. Austyn Vogel had nine stops and a sack, Clubb tallied six tackles, Trenton Conger forced a fumble and Eli Harper snagged an interception.

Pekin continues its district slate with a trip to Pleasantville (0-3, 0-1) Friday.

Pekin 34, Lynnville-Sully 27

Lynnville-Sully 6 13 0 8 ? 27

Pekin 7 6 7 14 ? 34

Rushing ? (P) Garrels 31-158, Clubb 8-34, Wittrock 9-30 (TD), Harper 1-1

Passing ? (P) Wittrock 7-12-137 (4TD)

Receiving ? (P) Millikin 2-91 (2TD), Long 3-35 (TD), Clubb 1-3 (TD), Harper 1-8

Tackles ? (P) Adam 11, Bond 10, Vogel 9 (sack), Clubb 6, Slaney 5, Allsup 4, Lloyd 3, Conger 3, Rambo 3, Harper 2 (int), Adam 2, Long 2, Reighard 1, Garrels 1, Schoff 1