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Iowa-Grant had its biggest challenge of the post season and responded without a doubt with its best football of the year.
They had to if they were going to hang with Pecatonica/Argyle.
The Panthers let Riley Ostby get loose for a pair first quarter touchdowns and complete a backfield pass to Corey Lindner for a 20-0 lead at intermission. Ostby's first score came on a 12 yard run a 7:05 of the first quarter. His second came from the three just after the second quarter started. The flip to Treuhardt came after the two minute warning of the second..
"Ostby is a good athlete but they have plenty more solid players to go with him," said Panther coach Gary Allen.
Iowa-Grant put together a defensive stand the second half that kept the Vikings out of the end zone and let the Panthers take a run at it
Caleb Hill hit Brayden Johnson with a 14 yard pass and the Panthers added a safety late in the furth frame to make it a 20-9 final,
The safety came when the punter for the Vikings stepped out of the end zone to avoid a blocked punt and allow for a kick-off from the 20.
It wasn't only the defense that had a good second half for the Panthers as the offense had its moments too.
"We had a couple drives going for us the second half but we couldn't get it in," Allen pointed out.
"They are as big and physical as anyone we've played," Allen added. "They have the speed to hurt you if you are not careful. But the Panthers figured it out and impressed the coaches with their second half.
"The second half was our best two quarters of the year," Allen said. "Our intensity was great and it gave us a chance,"
The Vikings passed for 97 yards and ran for 153. The Panthers picked up 53 on the ground and 171 passing
Pec/Argyle quarterback Logan Green was 6 for 10 for 77 yards before leaving the game the third quarter with an injury. Ostby ran for 149 on 23 carries and Treuthardt had 10 carries for 39 yard
AJ Hendrickson and Lindner both had two catches for the Vikings.
Johnson ran for 74 yards on 22 carries for the Panthers. Travis Arndt had three yards in his only carry.
Hill hit 13 of his 26 passed for 171 yards. Isaac Anderson grabbed three passes for 47 yards and Johnson caught three for 37.
Allen said the seniors who played their last game with the Panthers will be missed
"This group is special and definitely will be missed," Ryan said. "They are always willing to be coached and supported each other all the time. They leave some huge shoes to fill for the younger boys."
Pec/Argyle coach Lrry Green said, "Hats off to Iowa-Grant because they came in here and played very physical football. They are a well coached team and I have a lot for respect for Gary (Iowa-Grant head coach Gary Allen) and his team." "We hoped to score on our first drive and to shut them down on their first drive and that's what happened."
"It was a great job by our guys to battle to get another win, especially in a Level II game in the play-offs."
Our defense did an excellent job and anytime a defense can hold an excellent runner (Brayden Johnson) to 74 yards, when he's had 1,799 for the season, they've been effective."
"We're got some kids banged up, kids who have been getting some physically therapy and who will be using these next days to get healthier," added Green, later last weekend and in commenting on the Vikings' next opponent.
"We'll take things day by day, expect everybody to be back and ready to go for our game Saturday.
With the long distance and the WIAA's 120 mile distance rule, they (the Mustangs' coaching staff) chose the Saturday game option and we agreed on the 2 p.m. game time."
"They (the Mustangs) have a true spread offense, utilize the shotgun effectively, have skilled players and have piled up about the same number of offensive yards running the ball and passing it - so have a very balanced attack overall."
"We just need to do the fundamental things we stress - to complete assignments."