Less than a year removed from a heartbreaking end to its Iowa high school football season, Van Meter inched closer to a coveted spot in the 2025 state title game.
The Bulldogs made quick work of South Tama County – their first-round playoff opponent – defeating the Trojans, 45-6, on Friday, Oct. 24.
“We put all three phases of the game together: offense, defense and special teams,” head coach Eric Trudo said. “We turned them over a couple different times, had a big pick-six that kind of got us going. So, it was just good to see us put a complete game together.”
That complete game included performances from Van Meter’s typical playmakers.
The Bulldogs’ starting lineup is full of senior leadership: Henry Lounsbury at quarterback, Andon Watson and Drew Rhodes at receiver, most of the top tacklers, even Tate Doggett at running back before he injured his hand and returned, but with a club.
Those players – and more – are a large part of why Van Meter made it to the Class 2A state championship game last season, where the Bulldogs fell to West Lyon. And they were difference makers against South Tama County.
Lounsbury threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 55 yards and one more score. His three touchdown passes went to three different receivers: Watson, Brayden Fennessey, and Lexon Blevins.
Sophomore running back Christian Williams led the ground game, even though his final statistics – 71 yards and one touchdown – don’t show his full impact on offense. He went up against a physical defense in South Tama County, and Williams still managed to rip off several double-digit runs.
He made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, as well, often delivering crushing tackles for a loss or at the line of scrimmage. He forced one fumble and recovered another.
“He did a nice job of trusting his blocked up front,” Trudo said. “The O-line did a nice job…we just kept our heads up and just kept getting four and five yards, and that’s really a compliment to the guys up front. (Williams) would say that himself.”
The star of the show, though – at least for a brief period – was freshman lineman Cody Deemer. The defensive lineman wears No. 90, which puts him at the bottom of the numerical roster, but his name rose to the top when he picked off the Trojans’ quarterback and returned it seven yards for a touchdown.
His teammates wasted no time celebrating his interception, and it didn’t take long for the tiny but mighty student section to yell out a few “he’s a freshman” chants.
Deemer’s interception turned out to be just six points out of 45, but it showed that Van Meter has playmakers all over the field.
And that will only help the Bulldogs as they advance into the second round of the postseason.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Van Meter football cruises past South Tama County in IHSAA playoffs first round
Reporting by Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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