Pecatonica/Argyle first year coach Preston Knutson has been seeing first hand the quality of teams and players in the Six Rivers conference.
P/A met some new tough opponents when they led and tied River Ridge into the second quarter, but the Wolves pulled away from a 14- 14 start to a 57-14 finish.
"We came out swinging for sure but it’s not a pace you’re looking to keep and trade touchdowns all night," Knutson pointed out.
Bo Stateler gave P/A a lead when he run for a 46 yard touchdown. Luke Leonard’s kick made it 7-0. Noah Copsey ran for short yardage and a score. A two point conversion made it 8-7.
Blake Reynolds ran in for a 14-7 lead with nine seconds left in the opening quarter.
Martin Anderson and Braydon Slater hooked up for a passing touchdown and Leonard tied it with a kick.
But the rest of the night it was the Wolves taking control.
Pulling away from a 14-14 score three minutes into the second quarter was the result of the P/A run game struggling and ended up to be a key reason for the loss.
"We never got the run game going consistently," said Knutson. "Chunk plays made up our rushing totals and some in garbage time. Two INTs and a recovered onside kick didn’t help the cause either."
Senior quarterback Blake Reynolds ended up having quite a night for the Timberwolves. He ran for over 100 yds rushing, three rusulting in scores while passimg for two more. Knutson adds him to the list of top players in the Six Rivers conference.
"There are great players in this conference up and down.
The balance between run and pass showed Martin Anderson completing 15 of 31 attempts for 174 yards with one scoring strike, a 37 yarder to Braydon Slater. They ran for 103, led by Bo Stateler who churned up 46 yards on a touchdown carry.
Luke Leonard kicked two conversions.
While the mix of run and pass were close in totals it fell short according to Knutson.
"It simply was not good enough," he said.
Five P/A defenders amassed double digit tackles but the totals had it problems.
"It unfortunately is from being on the field too long," Knutson said. "A few fourth down conversions and such."
Krebs led with 15 tackles, three solo. Stateler had 12 with two solos and Leonard added 12 with one solo. Slater contributed 11 and Jonah Hanson 10.
P/A closes out their regular season Friday when the meet up with Boscobel, a team that has had their struggles but tries out some unconventional surprises. Knutson is not taking the Bulldogs lightly.
"I guarantee they come out swinging," Knutson said.