Pec/Argyle’s Luke Leonard runs past the Waterloo defense. Photo by Kayla Barnes.
Pecatonica/Argyle has earned two shutout wins to open the season with both wins bordering on the impressive side.
After a convincing win over Deerfield in their opener the co-op humbled Waterloo 21-0 Friday. Senior running back Brock Erickson scored all three touchdowns for P/A with Braydon Slater rolling in for the conversion. Erickson lugged the football 21 times, putting up 91 yards to lead the ground game. Adding to the rushing attack was senior quarterback Martin Anderson who added 44 yards on seven trips.
Anderson baffled the Pirates with a strong aerial attack. He made good on eight of 10 attempts for 84 yards.
The co-op totaled 84 aerial yards and 153 on the ground.
Slater was the reception leader as he caught four of Anderson’s offerings for 44 yards. Reed Cassidy and Luke Leonard both caught two for 26 yards each.
Defensive leaders were Erickson, Charlie Krebs, Raymond Gonzoles- Murphy and Jonah Hanson, all with eight tackles.
First year coach Preston Knutson has been teaching the co-op more than just the Xs and Os of the game. He is also teaching them about attitude and effort.
“Everything we do is attitude and effort first,” Knutson said. “Being locked in to the moment and being there for your teammates is vital to our growth as a team.”
Leadership is a necessity and Knutson has that in his signal caller Anderson.
“His leadership is huge,” Knutson points out. “It’s there all week and it shows on Fridays. The guys feed off the old Brett Favre gunslinger mentality big time.”
That leadership spreads out into his targets and Knutson feels they are on the right track.
“The WR room is a group of guys who are putting team first and not stats,” said Knutson. “They have been vital to the offense with huge catches but more so blocking for each other and helping create big plays.”
Knutson is also impressed with the defense and the work of his defensive coordinator.
“The defense has been outstanding,” Knutson said. “Coach Jacobus has them prepared and fired up every week. Everyone is doing their job in the system to make it go round.”
“It was a great gritty team win.”
The co-op moves on to take on a tough Iowa-Grant team in this week’s contest.
“Their passing game is elite but I also think their defense isn’t talked about enough,” said Knutson. “They have a defense that gets after it.”
