SK PIONEER SPORTS: Pioneers with Opening Game Win

Ahh yes, the sweet smell of heated rubber was prevalent down on the artificial surface of Nippert Field on the Campus of UC this afternoon as the Pioneers and the Breds from NewCath matched up in one of the afternoon games of the Crosstown Showdown. It was supposed to be a cooler day than the last few, but the afternoon heat became an ally of the Pioneers as it seemed the Breds wore down and allowed SK an advantage in route to a 29-8 victory before a nice crowd of fans from Independence.

NewCath was playing its second game of the season while the Eers were in just their first regular season contest. While SK held NewCath to a 4 and out deep in SK territory for the first drive of the game, the offense and defense seemed a little out of synch and not the team that had earned a #2 ranking in the area coach’s poll. SK did get on the board first on a rushing touchdown by Sage Powell with just under 8 minutes to go in the second quarter. The two point conversion was good. NewCath countered with its own score with 4 minutes to go before half and also converted the deuce for the tie. The Pioneers got the ball back with just over two minutes to go and ran a nice offensive series to score the second touchdown of the quarter to go up 14-8. Several Pioneer backs saw action filling in for Miles Simpson who was hobbled by and ankle injury. Simpson played but was obviously not 100%.

Although the Pioneers were up at half, it definitely was not their best effort. However, you could see the Breds wearing down and taking a little more time to get back to the huddle after each play. The Pioneers went no-huddle often and continued to zap energy from the Breds as they played approximately 8 kids on both sides of the ball with their sideline that obviously was a lot smaller than the Eers.

SK would get on the board in the second half first on a big time play as QB Chad Lawrence found Ryan Winkler in the back corner of the end zone. Winkler went up and brought the ball down cradled with one arm and was able to stay in bounds for the score.

NewCath came back with a nice drive of their own and had first and goal and looked in a good position to tie. The Pioneers caught a break as the shotgun snap went about 25 yards behind the quarterback. Penalties and sacks resulted in about a 4th and 39 for the Breds.

The Pioneers took advantage of another Bred miscue as Zach Kaiser picked off a pass and gave the ball back to the offense deep in Bred territory. A nice pass from Lawrence to Zach Carroll and SK was up 29-8.

Thoughts for the game:

SK had a lot more depth which they were able to use to their advantage. It became apparent late in the second quarter that fatigue would likely be a factor for the game.

The defense looked a little out of synch in the beginning of the game as New Cath was able to move the ball. They settled down and were extremely tough in the second half. The entire group of linebackers were impressive as the game wore on with Austin Baldwin, Kenneth Lockard, Parker Deters, Nik Brown and Zach Kaiser leading the way.

Both sides of the ball looked a little timid when it was apparent Simpson was not going to play much. Once a player or two made a big play, the confidence was contagious.

The passing game looked really good. Lawrence seems to have better arm strength and there were some receivers who made some nice plays. Zach Carroll always seemed open and the play that Winkler made was as good as you will see in high school. Give that boy a Wink Burger.

BMOC with his friends in the stands at Nippert.