The Pioneers hosted the Power/Dutton/Brady Titans this past weekend but ended up losing 28-51. Coach Tucker Taylor said, "The guys fought tough but ultimately came up short. We've got to get better on the defensive side of the ball, and our tackling needs to improve. The boys played hard. We're just fairly young, and it shows at times. I'm still learning as well. It's my first time as a head varsity football coach, so I'm learning every day."
The Pioneers received the kickoff but had a quick three and out and punted. Karter Jurenka had a great tackle on the return by Power. Quinn Rodewald also had a great tackle, but Power found themselves in a 1st-and-goal situation rather quickly and then scored a touchdown with a good extra point kick, putting the Pioneers behind 0-8. The Pioneers started their series with a penalty, but after a 4th down and an Aidan Morsette gain, the Pioneers got a first down. The Pioneers then drove the field, getting first downs by Wes Cox, Karter Jurenka, and Dolan Sunchild. The Pioneers were benefiting with their short gains while eating up the clock and scoring a touchdown from Dolan Sunchild, putting the Pioneers on the scoreboard 6-8. Braxton Hajenga had a great tackle on the kick return, followed by back-to-back tackles from Karter Jurenka. Braxton Hajegna had a great pass break-up and ended the quarter with Power trying to gain a first down. At the end of the quarter, the score was 6-8.
The Titans opened the quarter on a drive going from 4th and down to 1st and goal. After a Titan touchdown, Aidan Morsette blocked the extra points, but Power went up another 6 points, putting the score at 6-14. The Pioneers, not to be outdone, had their moments of glory. Wes Cox had a nice 10 yard gain, but the Pioneers turned the ball over on downs. The Titans then drove the field and on a long 3rd down, they got themselves back in scoring range, and another touchdown. The Pioneers, however, were not done. They gave it their all to finish the quarter, with Wes Cox running the ball 3 times and gaining 40 yards. The quarter ended with a pass from Quinn Rodewald to Wes Cox for a touchdown, and Ty Terry with a good extra point kick, putting the Pioneers within 2 scores and a score of 14-27 going into halftime.
The Pioneers started the 2nd half kicking off and got a great tackle from Aidan Morsette, but the Titans followed that with a 35-yard run . Quinn Rodewald also had a great tackle, but after a nice little shuttle pass from the quarterback, the Titans scored another touchdown. After the score, the Pioneers got some great yards to drive the field from Karter Jurekna, Aidan Morsetter, and Wes Cox. The Titans had a big penalty and helped catapult the Pioneers to an opportunity to score, but fell short, and the Titans got the ball back. After some big hits from Wes Cox, Karter Jurenka, and Quinn Rodewald, the Titans still scored on some big plays, putting the Pioneers down 14-43.
The Pioneers did all they could in the fourth quarter and scored two touchdowns, one from Wes Cox after driving the field and one from Dolan Sunchild with 51 seconds left on the clock. Ty Terry had another good kick, and the final score was 28-51.
The Pioneers play Valier this coming Friday, October 4th, which is also Chili Feed, so come out and support your Pioneer football team!
