New Pioneers Step Up In Win Over
Crush
By Cassie Kickert
You could
tell something was different when receiver Bobby Wright flew towards the Eau Claire
punter just in time to swat the ball at the end of the Crush’s first series of
the game.
The big play
placed the ball at the Eau Claire 17 yard line. Then, running back Brian Holmes took over. Four
plays later, Holmes rumbled into the end zone behind a massive block from
defensive lineman Jeff McGaster, and the Pioneers were on their way to their
first victory of 2013.
A few
minutes later, Holmes was back at work when he ran in from three yards out to
give the Pioneers a 13-0 lead. It would be all Pioneers all day, as St. Paul
defeated Eau Claire 47-8, to improve to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in NEFL play.
Yep, the
Pioneers are in familiar territory again.
The familiar
sightings continued when cornerback Lionel Lamarre stepped in front of a Brock
Pottenger pass and grabbed the ball. Then, new Pioneers running back/slot
receiver Riza Mahmoud took it 83 yards for a touchdown.
Three
touchdowns in about eight minutes – let flashbacks to last season commence.

Mahmoud
credited the offensive line’s great blocking as the reason for his long runs.
“This week
they stepped their game up, got a lot of push on the line
and held their blocks and it opened up a lot of lanes for me,” he said.
Neumann said
much the same thing. “The offensive line took charge early and set a tone
[that] we were able to ride for the length of the game.”
Mahmoud’s second
touchdown came just before halftime. He ran an excellent, precise route to the
right corner of the end zone where McCoy hit him right on target to make the
score 34-0 Pioneers at halftime.
Yes, Zero
points allowed. The Pioneers defense did more than their part all game long. In
addition to Lamarre’s interception, a big reason for the return to dominance by
the Pioneers defense was the inspired play by new defensive lineman Ed Smith.
The Pioneers
have played well in spots in their three previous games, but missing star defensive
ends Garrett Johnson and Cliff Gordy has not helped the cause. On Saturday,
Smith showed he’s more than capable of helping fill the void.
It started
early when he tackled Crush running back Tommy Green in the backfield in the
first quarter. He continued to make his
presence felt all game long. He finished the game with four quarterback sacks
among his 12 tackles and seven tackles for loss on the day.
Indeed, he
made his presence felt. Whatever the Crush game plan was, it failed. Smith
said, “Not in our house.”
The source
of Smith’s inspired play, it turns out, is found in a pre-game speech by McGaster,
a team captain. McGaster talked about playing with intensity, emotion and motive.
It was definitely heard.
Later, in
the third quarter, Smith gave the Pioneers great field position when he sacked
Pottenger at the Crush 18 yard line on fourth down.
It took only
one play for the Crush to regret not punting the ball away. Pioneers running
back Vernon Johnson covered the 18 yards in record time, scoring another
Pioneers touchdown.
Kicker John
Ostertag’s extra point went straight through the uprights, making the score
41-0 Pioneers late in the third quarter.
The Pioneers
defense wasn’t done yet, though.
Defensive
end Val Ndikum, who also had a terrific game containing the Crush attack, tipped
a Pottenger pass that was intercepted by defensive back Andre Spencer. Then the
offense went back to work.
McCoy threw to
Marcus Foster, who eluded tacklers and ran to the left corner of the end zone
for yet another Pioneers touchdown. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful,
leaving the score 47-0 Pioneers.
Both Mahmoud
and Delane Woods had nothing but good things to say about McCoy.
Mahmoud said
he has “Smart decision-making [skills]... [He] doesn’t lose his head when he
has to scramble. He’s a very composed quarterback.”
Woods said
he thinks McCoy is great at throwing and running the ball.
The Crush
would break up the shut out in the fourth quarter, when, on Josh Gawrysiak
carry, the ball came out but it was recovered in the end zone by the Crush.
Pottenger’s pass to Gawrysiak for the two point conversion made the score 47-8
with four minutes left.
That would
be the final score of the first Pioneers victory this season.
The Pioneers
have a bye this week for Memorial Day. They return to action at Sea Foam
Stadium on Saturday, June 1, when they take on the undefeated Lake Superior
Rage. Game time is 5pm. Come join us as Mahmoud, Smith, and the rest of the
Pioneers go for their second win this season!
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