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When you look at the SWAL schedule you might feel the makers did not do Iowa-Grant's football team any favors.
Or did they?
The Panthers are finishing with the top two teams in the conference but then that is not determined until the games are played. They were able to qualify for the post season playoffs early then focus on getting better every day.
The Panthers led the number two team in the SWAL for a half, stayed within a touchdown after three then saw a 13-0 Cuba City run turned into a 48-31 final.
"We were able to run the ball well and connect on a few passes," said coach Gary Allen.
Cuba City signal caller Kyle Bass had a one yard sneak at 8:43 for the first score and took a 7-0 lead on the conversion.
Caleb Hill went to the air to close the gap when he nailed Charles Christianson with a 29 yard aerial to make it 7-6 at 6:16.
With 1:46 remaining Hill spotted tight end Collin Price in the end zone and lofted a three yard strike for a 12-7 lead.
The Cubans got the advantage back with a three yard race to the end zone by Justin Droessler with 50 seconds left in the first frame. The conversion made it 14-12.
Chris Moor scored at the 8:56 mark of the second quarter and the Cubans added the conversion to lead 21-12 but the Panthers had the answer.
Brayden Johnson got loose for a three yard run and Hill passed to Isaac Anderson for the two point conversion.
As time wound down the Panthers got close and with no time on the clock Johnson booted a 23 yard field goal for a 23-21 lead at the half.
The Panther lead started to slip away when Kordell Stillmunkes returned a punt 59 yards to score at 10:34 of the third.
Still the Panthers were not worried.
"The punt return was big but our kids kept their focus and put together a good drive," said Allen.
But another big play at 7:04, this one a 60 yard run by Droessler, put the Cubans up 38-23 with seven minutes left in the third.
The Panthers kept driving though. and Johnson capped a drive with an 11 yard scamper. Hill ran in the conversion and the third quarter ended with the Cubans ahead 38-31.
The fourth quarter was all Chris Moor as the senior back scored twice on runs of five and seven yards.
The final score at 1:46 had an extra point tacked on for a 48-31 final.
"We didn't do a good enough job of stopping their fullback in the fourth quarter," Allen said. "Stopping the fullback is a must against an option team."
Hill had an impressive game throwing the football with 15 completions on 26 attempts for 131 yards. His play impressed Allen.
"This might have been Caleb's best game so far," Allen said. "He connected on a few big passes and has improved the last couple weeks."
Johnson's field goal was the first one of the year for the Panthers.
"If we are in position Brayden can make kicks," Allen said.
Johnson had 29 rushes for 179 yards. Anderson had three catches for 41 yards and Price hauled in five for 37.
"Offensively we moved the ball well and didn't turn it over." Allen said. "However, defensively we need to play much better. We missed some tackles and some assignments. As the defensive coordinator I need to do a better job too."
Next up is the undefeated Redbirds who seem to be carrying on the Darlington football tradition. The game Friday is at Martens Field in Darlington.
"We will focus this week on improving and improve each week," Allen said. "Darlington is a very good team. We will need to play well."