Iowa-Grant quarterback Brock Hinderman threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more Friday night, leading the Panthers to a 34-6 win over Potosi/Cassville at Coach Crull Field and improving their Six Rivers Conference record to 3-0 (4-1 overall).
The Panthers took control from the start. Cole Schauff returned the opening kickoff to midfield, giving Iowa-Grant good field position. A few plays later, he took a handoff around the left end untouched for a touchdown and an early 6-0 lead.
Iowa-Grant’s defense, which has been key to the Panthers’ success this season, then forced Potosi/Cassville into a three-and-out. On the next possession, Hinderman connected with Owen Wyatt to move the Panthers into PC territory before finding a gap in the defense and running in for the score. His two-point conversion pass to Wyatt made it 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Later in the second quarter, PC’s defense forced a punt deep in Panther territory, then blocked it. Hunter White scooped up the ball and trotted into the end zone to cut the deficit to 14-6. But any momentum from the special team’s score disappeared quickly. Hayden Aultman fielded the ensuing kick and raced deep into PC territory, and a facemask penalty at the end of the return moved the ball inside the 10-yard line. Hinderman then called his own number again, running it in for a touchdown and a 20-6 Panther lead midway through the quarter.
Iowa-Grant’s defense struck again when Ty Cutts chased down PC quarterback Aaron Edge for a loss. On the next play, John Rell Rickard caught Edge in the backfield for another loss, stalling the drive and forcing another punt.
“Our defense continues to play lights out. We are very physical all over the field, Bryler Draves was so pesky and all over the ball last night. Our regular D-line rotation (Colton Williams, Ethan Mulderink, Calvin McHone, Ty Cutts, John Rell Rickard, and Brayden Shemak) continue to be difference makers on our defense,” said Iowa-Grant Head Coach Hayden Link after the game.
On the Panthers’ next possession, Hinderman moved the offense downfield and found Wyatt again, this time on a slant over the middle, for a touchdown with less than a minute left in the half. Schauff added the two-point conversion run, giving Iowa-Grant a 28-6 lead.
Iowa-Grant struck quickly again in the third quarter. Less than two minutes in, Hinderman found Cutts down the middle for a 26-yard touchdown, his second scoring pass of the night. From there, the Panthers’ defense took over, keeping PC from building any offensive momentum as Iowa-Grant closed out a 34-6 win to improve to 3-0 in conference play, 4-1 overall, and move into sole possession of first place in the Six Rivers Conference.
“I give full credit to PC for putting the brakes on our passing game and limiting explosive plays. I think Brock got a little frustrated at times because the big play just wasn’t there. He had to be efficient, and he was,” said Link. “Our offense Friday night was a total team effort. I don’t think that there’s a stat that will blow anybody’s mind from the PC game, but when we needed someone to step up, someone always did. And our offensive Line… The work that they have put in together really shines through.”
Hinderman was 13 for 17 through the air for 153 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the Panthers in rushing with 13 carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Cutts led the Panthers in receiving with 6 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Schauff led the Panthers on defense with 13 tackles.
The 4-1Panthers will now hit the road this week when they travel to play the 4-1 River Ridge Timberwolves Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. “We will continue taking it one play at a time, one series, one quarter, one game. If we continue that focus, if we continue to believe in each other and believe in ourselves, big things are going to happen for this program,” Link concluded.