LAST MEETING — The teams have not met since the seniors on both squads were in fourth grade — October of 2008. Pleasantville led host W-G at the old Hawk field when Lucas Geneser pulled in a touchdown pass in the final seconds as the hosts stole a 32-31 win in the second round of the playoffs.
ABOUT THE HAWKS — Woodward-Granger saw their playoff chances given an almost mortal blow last week in a 28-14 loss at Mt. Ayr. If the Hawks can beat the Trojans Friday, a win at second-ranked Pella Christian Oct. 21 would assure a postseason spot; a loss in either game will end the season after nine contests.
The Hawks have rushed for 1,1710 yards and thrown for 661 and has outscored district foes 173-96. Quarterback Brendan Bird is 33-83-5 for 606 yards and five touchdowns, with John Stucker (8-197, 2 TDs), Josh Saak (10-138, 1 TD), J.P. Nixon (7-134, 2 TDs) and Logan Canova (4-95, 1 TD) having done the most damage.
Senior tailback Tanner Vermaas is approaching two career milestones. He enters the contest with 493 career carries and has 2,894 yards and 31 touchdowns. Vermaas has carried 178 times for 1,199 yards and 18 scores this season.
Austin Scharlau (39-192), Payton Tague (26-135) and Bird (33-115, 3 TDs) have also played a role in the ground attack.
The defense has recovered nine fumbles and made five interceptions. Devan Kirkman’s 36 tackles leads the team, with Vermaas having 34.5 stops and Scharlau 30.5.
ABOUT THE TROJANS — Pleasantville fell to Pella Christian, 56-20, last week. They shut out Mt. Ayr, 40-0, Sept. 30.
Owen Worthington is yet to be intercepted this season, and has hit 69-of-110 attempts for 890 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Trojans have an electric presence in shifty, speedy Hunter Tyree, who is listed at 5-9 and 140 pounds. The junior has 35 receptions for 538 yards and eight touchdowns, has carries 63 times for 451 yards and five TDs and had returned two kick offs and one punt for touchdowns.
Sawyer Phillips has carried 128 times for 661 yards and 13 TDs, with Cael Lester accounting for 320 yards and four TDs on 65 rushes.
Chaz Clark leads the defense with 31.5 tackles. He has six sacks and nine other tackles for a loss of yardage. The Trojans had intercepted 13 passes and recovered four fumbles.
DISTRICT 5
| District | Overall | Point Diff Avg |
|||||
| Win | Loss | Tie | Win | Loss | Tie | ||
| Pella Christian | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17.00 |
| Pleasantville | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 10.20 |
| Central Decatur | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Woodward-Granger | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Mount Ayr | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | -3.80 |
| Interstate-35 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | -6.60 |
| Des Moines Christian | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | -10.80 |
| Woodward Academy | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | -17.00 |
Friday’s Games
Mount Ayr at Des Moines Christian
No. 2 Pella Christian at Central Decatur
Pleasantville at Woodward-Granger
Woodward Academy at Interstate-35
Friday, Oct 21
Central Decatur at Pleasantville
Des Moines Christian at Woodward Academy
Interstate-35 at Mount Ayr
Woodward-Granger at No. 2 Pella Christian
