BLANCHARDVILLE — For the first time in eight years, Pecatonica-Argyle has won a homecoming football game. That in itself is a reason to celebrate, but this year’s coaching staff and players are just as excited about how it happened rather than that it simply happened.
“Growing up and always coming out to homecoming games, it’s been rough,” said senior Brock Erickson after Pec-Argyle’s 21-6 victory over Seneca/Wauzeka-Steuben on Saturday, Sept. 12 at McKellar Park. He said to finally win one felt “amazing.”
The Vikings struggled at points in the game — especially on special teams — but dominated the Blue-Golds when push came to shove in the second half.
“I am super proud of our effort. The line really picked it up out there,” coach Preston Knutson said. “We’ve got some of those little things that we know we have to clean up out there. Those little things that put us in tougher situations, especially when we’re moving the ball.”
Pec-Argyle had two punts blocked and another partially blocked. One of the blocks led directly to points for SWS as the ball was recovered in the end zone.
It seemed the game had reached a critical moment — whoever seized the momentum would come out on top. That’s where Vikings offensive stars and team leaders Brock Erickson and Martin Anderson took over.
“Their leadership — especially the off the field stuff — is where they set the tone. They get fired up and get on people about doing things the right way, and they all listen,” Knutson said of his pair of seniors. “That’s where they’re most valuable. They’re such a tandem. They talk, ‘we can hit them inside, outside,’ they work together well that way.”
Following the blocked punt for a score, which came at the end of a drive that netted negative eight yards of offense thanks in part to a holding penalty, it was beginning to look bleak despite a 13-6 advantage on the scoreboard for the home team. Following the kick return, a holding call on the first snap was followed by runs of zero and three yards. Erickson barked at his teammates getting back into the huddle.
“Sometimes you just need that boost, you know? Our O-Line was going a little slow against their front five, and I got on them about it,” Erickson said.
While the Vikings did recover enough to gain a first down, the drive eventually stalled just after midfield, and SWS took over at its own 41.
Defensively, Pec-Argyle kept its composure and forced another SWS punt. When the offense got back onto the field, they played like a new team.
Erickson went forward on runs of 19, 11, 5, 15, 9 and 5 yards over the next four plays, and Anderson called his own name for another 12 yards. A critical holding call and an incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs at the SWS 11 following the drive of 64 yards.
“Throughout the game you get tired, but I just gained more energy and got pumped up. We were ready to get this one done and get a big dub (W),” Erickson said.
The Blue-Golds only gained five yards on their next possession, giving the ball right back with 7:29 to play in the fourth quarter.
With the ball starting on the plus-side of midfield, Erickson went back to work, grinding out 44 yards on five carries. Anderson ran a QB keeper from the 1-yard line for the decisive final score, and punched in the 2-point conversion himself, plowing through an SWS defender to make it 21-6 with 5:05 to play.
Erickson’s words to his teammates was the spark the team needed, he said. “The O-Line finished going hard and it brought us to victory.”
The Blue-Golds gained just eight yards on their final drive, turning the ball over on downs.
Erickson finished the game with 134 yards rushing and a score. Anderson was 9-for-15 passing for 150 yards and a score, and added another 56 yards and a TD with his legs.
“In the second half, Brock just kept grinding those feet. He fought for every yard he got, and the line gave us the push to have that opportunity,” Knutson said.
Braydon Slater had 58 yards receiving and a score, while Leonard had 82 yards on five catches. Collectively, the Vikings had 341 yards of offense.
Defensively, Pec-Argyle held SWS to 65 yards of total offense on 27 plays. The Vikings intercepted two passes, as well.
Pec-Argyle (3-1, 1-1 Six Rivers) travels to Riverdale (2-2, 1-1) in Week 5, and need just two more wins to clinch a guaranteed spot in the postseason.
“Practice is where you start. You have to bring it every day,” Erickson said. “Every day we’re getting better, pushing ourselves. We’ve got a good scout team. We know that we have to come out with a lot of energy and just be ready.”
