Pioneers win the State Championship for 6-man football beating the Broadview -Lavina Pirates 67-27.
The Big Sandy Pioneers finally captured the Class C 6-Man State Championship after years of close calls. By far the largest crowd of the season showed up to watch the Pioneers make history. The title game featured the Broadview-Lavina Pirates versus the hometown Big Sandy Pioneers. Both the Pirates and the Pioneers entered the game unbeaten on the season. Broadview-Lavina beat the reigning 6-man champions Froid-Medicine Lake in a 35-34 thriller to make it into the championship game. Big Sandy demolished Bridger 40-8 to earn their spot in the title game.
The game started off perfectly for Coach Jappe's offense. Cooper Taylor took the opening handoff 49 yards for the game's first score. The Pioneer defense forced a quick punt from the Pirates on their first offensive possession. Braydon Cline would connect with Lance Rutledge for a 39 yard touchdown reception, putting the Pioneers up 12-0. Broadview Lavina would find some success late in the first quarter on a Kade Erickson pass to Connor Glennie for a 21 yard score. The successful extra 2 point kick cut the Pioneer lead to 4. Big Sandy answered back quickly with a quick drive capped off by a 2 yard touchdown carry by Cooper Taylor. After one quarter the Pioneers led 18-8.
Broadview-Lavina would find the endzone again early in the second quarter. After another successful drive Kade Erickson would find William Sanguins for a 1 yard touchdown reception on 4th down. A successful 1 point conversion would make the score 18-15 with 6 minutes left in the half. Less than a minute later the Big Sandy offense would answer back on a Braydon Cline pass to Lane Demotiney for a 21 yard score. Cooper would get the ball back for the offense with an interception. The turnover would turn into another Big Sandy touchdown. This time Braydon Cline would connect with Wylee Snapp for the 8 yard score. The Pioneers now led 30-15 with 4 minutes left in the half. Lane Demotiney would also haul in an interception giving the offense another chance to score before half. Braydon Cline would buy time with his feet before finding Lance Rutledge for a 17 yard touchdown reception. At the half the Pioneers led 36-15.
After a Big Sandy turnover early in the third quarter the Broadview-Lavina Pirates would find the endzone again. Another Erickson to Glennie connection for a 16 yard touchdown catch. The touchdown made the score 36-21. Once again the Pioneers would answer back rapidly with a Cline touchdown pass of 39 yards to Wylee Snapp. The score now 42-21. After another Demotiney interception the Pioneers would cash in on another touchdown this time Cline would run it in from 30 yards out, putting the home team up 48-21. More solid defensive play and a Ryder Galbavy sack would force the Pirates to punt. Cooper Taylor would take the handoff from Cline 49 yards to score again for Big Sandy. The score now 54-21. The Pioneers continued to pour it on at this point. Rusty Gasvoda would smash into the endzone on a 1 yard carry to put his team up 61-21, after the Kody Strutz handoff to Braydon Cline would result in a converted 1 point attempt. Wylee Snapp would block the next Pirates punt, setting the team up from just outside the endzone. Braydon Cline would find Wylee Snapp in the corner of the endzone for the 6 yard receiving score. Broadview-Lavina would find the endzone one last time on a 34 yard touchdown run. The final score of the game would be 67-27.
The Big Sandy Pioneers finally took the 6-Man Title and completed the season with an undefeated record. After years of hard work and semifinal heartbreak the Pioneers are alone at the top of the 6-Man mountain. The team and coaches would like to thank the community for all of their support. It's been a truly special season. This team is honored to finally win the elusive football state championship that has evaded Big Sandy for so many years.
