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Control the football, control the game.
Iowa-Grant's football team ran 55 plays Friday, almost 20 more than Southwestern, and outscored the Wildcats 46-6 in a SWAL match-up.
Derek Peat and Tucker Sarbacker scored three touchdowns each and Peat drilled a scoring pass to Eli Wienkes for the Panthers' six pointers. Cody Rider kicked and extra point and the Panthers also ran in a two point conversion.
The game was a one-pointer when it came to difference the first quarter. Sarbacker ran for a 14 yard touchdown and Rider kicked the extra point to get the Panthers on the board.
Southwestern quarterback Aaron Kaiser matched the touchdown with a 10 yard run later in the frame but he could not connect on a two point conversion pass attempt.
The Panthers ran away with it in the second quarter. Peat scored on an 18 yard scamper then Sarbacker got in on runs of 14 and 13 yards. Peat's 23 yard scoring pass to Wienkes finished off the frame.
Peat scored twice in the third quarter when he traveled in from 10 and seven yards away.
The win kept the Panthers in contention for the SWAL crown with three games to play. It was a much better showing for the Panthers than last week's performance against Cuba City.
"We played a pretty clean game," coach Gary Allen said. "We had no turnovers and our blocking and tackling was also pretty sharp."
Peat's time at quarterback is also showing an upturn as he settles into his new role.
"We are running different formations and plays with Derek at quarterback and things seem to be getting smoother as we go." Allen said.
It wasn't an easy start as the Wildcats showed plenty of life at the start.
"Southwestern came in with a good game plan and they were ready to play." Allen said. "Our kids just seemed to get more comfortable on defense as the game went on."
Allen liked the way the Panthers approached the offense.
"Our offensive line along with our tight ends and backs blocked well," Allen said. "All of our backs took care of the ball also."
Allen also was pleased with the defensive effort.
"All of the guys were focused on doing their jobs and when that happens you get a tough defense," Allen said. "Their quarterback was very good and could run and throw the ball well so we had to be ready up front as well as in the secondary. Coach Johannesen had a good game plan and the kids executed it well."
The 26 point second quarter gave the Panthers the momentum they needed.
"Our kids just kept playing hard,"Allen said. "Southwestern showed us a couple of different fronts so as the game went on our kids kept pressing forward."
Allen felt the game was a complete package both physically and mentally.
"I was pleased with the mental toughness we showed after the loss to Cuba City," Allen said. "We had a good week of practice and played well on Friday night."
He also felt the reserves turned in a good performance.
"I was very pleased with how well our back-ups played when they got in the game," Allen said. "They work hard during the week and mostly play scout team against our starters. They played very hard Friday night."
Friday is the annual "Milk Can" game against neighboring Fenni-more where the winner keeps the coveted milk can the two teams swap.
"We play against Fennimore this Friday night at home," Allen said. "They have an excellent program and some very good players. We will need to play very well."