Panorama's Jack Weinkoetz closes in on Van Meter quarterback Jack Pettitt. Weinkoetz made the sack while stripping the ball free., with Panther defensive tackle Jared Henderson falling on the ball. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
PANORA — With starting quarterback Dominic Walker, top receiver Drew Taylor, and a handful of other key players unable to participate, host Panorama’s test in handling Class 1A No. 2 Van Meter Friday grew substantially.
That Taylor is second and Walker third in total tackles for the Panther defense only added to the odds stacked against the home team, with the 2019 state runner-up Bulldogs posting a 30-0 win.
“I thought our kids played hard, however, we had a really bad five-minute span late in the second quarter,” Panorama head coach Mike Kauzlarich said. “That really cost us with the bad snap on a punt for a safety, then we fumbled the kick-off return, and they we threw a pick the next drive. That was really hard to overcome on a night when you are down a few key players.”
Leading, 2-0, Van Meter moved in front 8-0 when Dalten Van Pelt broke free for a 55-yard touchdown run. Van Pelt scored from 10 yards out later in the frame as the margin grew to 15-0, with a 12-yard pass from Jack Pettitt to Ganon Archer setting the halftime score at 22-0.
Panorama simply could not sustain any offensive momentum in the game, and converted just 2-of-10 third down attempts and 1-of-5 on fourth down. Van Meter was 5-of-12 on third down and 2-of-3 on fourth down.
The guests capped the scoring in the fourth quarter when Archer found Chris Schreck for a 61-yard TD strike and a 30-0 advantage.
Pettitt was 5-of-8 for 58 yards and Archer 1-of-1 for 61 yards passing, each tossing a TD.
Van Pelt carried the ball 27 times for 199 yards and two scores.
Freshman Cayden VanMeer was forced into a starting role at quarterback and finished 7-of-8 for 51 yards. Austin Block saw time at QB as well, completing 6-of-9 for 43 yards and was intercepted once.
Evan Taylor (4-49), Lucas Leiferman (4-18), Hunter Pauley (2-17), Jack Weinkoetz (2-11) and Wyatt Clark (1, minus-1) had receptions for the hosts.
Clark (8-23), Pauley (7-16), Zach Rizzuti (1-9), Block (8-2) and VanMeer (4, minus-2) carried the pigskin for the Panthers.
Trent Hambleton had 6.5 tackles for the defense, with Evan Taylor adding six stops and Brice Taylor five. Weinkoetz, Wyatt Appleseth, and Jared Wasson each had sacks, with Weinkoetz causing a fumble on his sack, with teammate Jared Henderson falling on the ball.
Panorama (1-2) travels to unbeaten Woodward-Granger Friday. The Hawks have wins over Madrid (49-6), Ogden (42-14), and AC/GC (27-14), in order.
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Panorama defensive tackle Brice Taylor breaks up an intended middle screen against Van Meter Friday. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Panorama linebacker Wyatt Appleseth stands up Van Meter running back Dalten Van Pelt during their Class 1A District 8 scrap Friday in Panora. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Panther tailback Hunter Pauley runs through an arm tackle. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Panther freshman Cayden VanMeer prepares to receive a snap. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Panorama's Hunter Pauley (2) and Evan Taylor (42) combine with a teammate to bring down a Van Meter runner. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Hunter Pauley runs in open space for the Panthers. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Trent Hambleton (53), Drew Taylor (5) and Jared Wasson (74) follow a member of the Iowa National Guard onto the field in Panora Friday. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
Cooper Andersen (51), Jared Wasson (74), Austin Block (3), and Jack Weinkoetz (87) huddle with teammates Friday. The American flag flies at rear as part of the remembrance of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
The colors are presented. Photo courtesy Lynnea Andersen.
