November 9, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.
Panthers take on Springs Saturday in semis
The Panthers will clash with Springs Saturday at 4:30 on the turf field at Middleton. Iowa-Grant advanced to the state semi-finals with a 32-15 win over SWAL rival Darlington while SMS advanced by beating Shiocton 24-0.
SMS is led by 6-0. 170 senior running back Darin Ward who has accounted for 1049 yards this season. He is supported by Ike Floyd, a 5-8, 142 pound junior who has traveled for 859.
SMS is quarterbacked by 6-1, 170 senior Evan Henderson who has thrown for 1289 yards.
"Springs has an excellent program and a great tradition," said Iowa-Grant coach Gary Allen. "We will need to play very well."
That will be the challenge for Derek Peat and company when they hit the Middleton turf running Saturday.
"We are happy to be playing at Middleton," Allen said. "It's not that far for our community to travel and that's important to us. A big reason for our success is the community our young men are growing up in. Our guys learn a strong work ethic along with a strong sense of integrity from their families and the community."
The play-off run has been special to the Panthers and the communities making up the school.
"It has been great to have been playing well in the play-offs," Allen said. "That's essential to beating the high quality teams we see. Our community has been awesome. It adds some motivation for the guys when we see all the signs and hear all the encouragement from everyone."
"Also, to see how many people were at the game Saturday and how loud and intense it got was special," Allen said.
The Panthers scored in all four quarters to eliminate the Redbirds. Cody Rider got into the end zone first with a six yard scamper at the 1:09 mark of the first quarter. He also added the conversion to make it 7-0.
Peat's 12 yard run put a second score on the board at 7:51 of the second quarter and sent the Panthers into halftime leading 13-0.
Darlington answered on the first possession of the third quarter when Cole McDonald and Jason Singer hooked up for a 68 yard scoring pass play. But, the Redbirds fumbled on their next possession and Peat scored on a yard run to make it 19-7.
A Darlington mistake resulted in a 15 yard score from Eli Wienkes on an interception.
After a Darlington touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, the Panthers scored a few seconds later on a 48 yard back breaker by Peat. Rider's conversion made it 32-15.
Tucker Sarbacker ran 22 times for 133 yards while Peat added 92 more yards on 15 tries and scored three touchdowns.
Peat hit one of two passes he attempted, an eight yarder to Dakota Barnes.
Defensively the Panthers shut the Redbirds out the first half and were stingy the last two frames.
"Our guys were really focused to start the game," Allen said. "Coach Johannesen also put together a great game plan and the guys executed it well."
The ability to answer whenever Darlington scored was a key for the Panthers.
"That was big for us," Allen said. "It was important to answer their score with one of our own. Our guys are very resilient that way. We can take a punch, so to speak, and come back with one of our own."
The Redbirds came to life the second half and had some success in the early stages of the third frame.
"To their credit Darlington really came out strong in the second half," Allen said. "They scored and stopped us. They actually had a nice run play going when we made a good tackle and the ball came out and we got the ball."
The fumble set up the third Panther score.
The Panthers continue to have a three pronged threat in the backfield.
"Cody had a big game and has really come through for the team," Allen said. "He makes some very tough runs for us and can be a devastating blocker."
Sarbacker and Peat continue to mash out yards on the ground.
"Our blocking was good for the most part," Allen said. "It helps each of our backs that the other two are a threat. They each run very hard and take care of the ball. They are also more than happy to block for each other. They are a team within a team back there."
This will be the the deepest the Panthers have gone in the play-offs in several seasons.
"The play-off system has change a few times over the years but I believe the last time we were in the state semi-finals was 1979," Allen said.
The SWAL match-up between the Panthers and the Redbirds meant that league went deep into the play-offs with one team still going.
"I would like to congratulate Coach Zywicki, his staff, and his team on a great season and on how well they represented the SWAL conference in the play-offs," Allen said. "We look forward to the challenge and opportunity to play St. Mary Springs."
Whoever wins will play at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 15 at Camp Randall for the Division 6 state title.
