Senior Ryan Roth (2)
The number one Jordan Mustangs came to town to face the number two Big Sandy Pioneers. The anticipation was building all week. You could see the look of determination on the faces of the Pioneers as they walked out with Pioneer flags, with the song Knock Out blaring on the brand-new speakers the Booster Club purchased. The speakers added to the enjoyment of the warm-up and the game since you could hear so much better.
The Jordan Mustangs won the coin toss and deferred to the Pioneers who got the ball first. After the kickoff on the first drive of the game, the Pioneers score first with a Kade Strutz run up the middle. Extra point, also kicked by Strutz, was good. After a couple of sacks and good tackles from the Pioneers, the Mustangs still manage to get the ball up the field and score. The score is now 8-6 with the Pioneers on top.
There was a hard-fought battle between both teams in the second quarter. Defensive plays from both sides with hard blocks from Brady Pleninger, Clint Darlington and Brock Proulx, the Pioneers fought hard and ended up going into the locker room at halftime up a 20-12 lead.
The Pioneers held the Mustangs at the beginning of the third quarter. The Pioneers now on offense, and with a great hand-off to Brock Proulx turns into a 58-yard run for a touchdown. After another couple hard sacks from Brady Pleninger and a Strutz touchdown, the Pioneers end the third quarter 36-20.
The Pioneers started the fourth quarter with another Strutz touchdown, putting the Pioneers in a comfortable lead 44-20, but the Mustangs had one more push to give. Mustangs make a great pass and catch and score, with 9:38 left in the game. The Pioneers held them for rest of the game and finished the fourth quarter beating the number one team in the state, with a final score of 44-28.
Kade Strutz rushed the ball 28 times for a total of 232 yards, and Brock Proulx carried the ball 15 times for a total of 129 yards. Big Sandy made 18 first downs to the Mustangs 12; Big Sandy carried the ball 50 times for a total of 376 yards, Mustangs carried the ball for 13 times for a total of 78 yards. Big Sandy complete zero passes, as the Jordan Mustangs completed 14 passes for a total of 199 yards.
Kade Strutz said, "Everyone did their job for the most part-we weren't perfect, and we still have room to improve as a team. It's going to be a great season!"
And from a member of the crowd, comes this quote. "Wow, great game! The challenge will be to stay humble and hungry!"
The Pioneers agree themselves as quotes from the brothers three testify. Parker Proulx said, "Jordan is a really good team, and there is a chance we will see them again, but for now we are focused on North Star. We have to take this season one game at a time." Brock Prouix wrote, "I know this team has the ability to do great things as long as we stay focused and don't let our own success hinder our ability to progress." And Ryan Roth said, "If we keep playing hard and keep our heads, I know we can have success down the road."
The next Pioneer game will be against the Northstar Knights on September 6th at 7 pm.
Go Pioneers!
