Pioneers, McGaster, continue rolling 47-0 over Thunderhawks

Well, that was fast.

On Saturday at SeaFoam, the fans had barely settled into their seats and the National Anthem was still echoing somewhere when the Pioneers scored their first touchdown – just 19 seconds into the contest against the Menomonie Thunderhawks.

Cleve McCoy hit Juice Akins for two TDs.

Riza Mahmoud, as he has done so often this season, sprinted into the end zone after the offense got a gift from Pioneers safety Joseph Mapson – an interception on the Thunderhawks’ first pass attempt of the game.

Mahmoud’s touchdown run would only open the floodgates, as St. Paul went on to score in myriad ways in a 47-0 win over the visitors from Wisconsin. Quarterback Cleve McCoy threw three touchdown passes – two to Juice Akins and one to Mike Dozier. Ronald Zollicoffer had a punt return for a touchdown. Cornerback Travis Griffin had an interception return for a touchdown. And 

Fullback Daryl Davis had a touchdown run.

Jeff McGaster recorded 2 sacks, leaving him one shy of record.

Along the way, Pioneers defensive tackle Jeff McGaster had 2.5 quarterback sacks, leaving him at 16 sacks for the season – one shy of tying the Pioneers’ single season record of 17. Jeff, who joined the Pioneers in 2008 after playing at the University of Northern Iowa, was the team’s Most Valuable 

Player last season and is continuing his torrid play.

Middle linebacker Bill Quistorff gathered a dozen tackles in a dominating performance by the entire defense. The Thunderhawks crept into the Pioneers’ red zone only once all game, and fell short of scoring on a failed 4^th down conversion.

The Pioneers, now 10-0, close out their regular season on Saturday at SeaFoam Stadium against the Minnesota Sting at 5 p.m. Come join us as Jeff chases the sack record and the Pioneers continue to chase a sixth consecutive NEFL Championship.

Players of the Game:
Offense - Juice Akins, with two TD catches.
Defense - Bill Quistorff.
Special Teams - Joseph Mapson and Ronald Zollicoffer.