Pioneers fall to Bulls in defensive battle

The North Bank Bulls converted three second-half field goals to defeat the St. Paul Pioneer 16-7 Saturday.

It was the Pioneers' second loss in a row and leaves the defending NEFL champs 1-1 in league play and 2-2 overall.

It was the Bulls first victory - ever - over the Pioneers. They did it by playing strong defense. The Pioneers' only points came on an interception return for a touchdown by safety Desmond Stevenson.

The Pioneers have a bye next week before returning to action June 4.

Pioneers featured in innovative "Ryan's Ridiculous"

Ryan Hoag spent some time with the St. Paul Pioneers.

Pioneers fall to Blaze in Capital City Classic

The St. Paul Pioneers dropped a hard fought battle against the Des Moines Blaze 32-13.

St. Paul and Des Moines were tied 7-7 after the first quarter and the Pioneers trailed 16-13 at the half.

The Blaze intercepted the first Pioneers pass of the second half and scored one play later to take a 23-13 lead. It was all Des Moines after that, as the Pioneers turned the ball over six times on the night.

St. Paul scored two touchdowns - both on passes from Cleve McCoy to Rashem Sharpe.

The Pioneers are now 2-1 on the season, 1-0 in the NEFL. St. Paul hosts the North Bank Bulls May 21.

Photos from the Warriors game... a 52-0 Pioneers victory.

Sims finds daylight.

O line working.

Coach Mark Heiser and the sideline.

D line.

Mitambo on the tackle.

Pettis with a pick six.

Zollicoffer making moves.

All photos by Marla Collins.

Pioneers open NEFL season with a romp in Minnetonka

Pioneers running back Ronald Zollicoffer rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown and the swarming Pioneers defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns in defeating the Minnesota Valley Warriors 52-0 Saturday in Minnetonka.

Safety Donte Pettis and cornerback Desmond Stevenson each had long returns to paydirt after picking off Warrior passes.

Pioneers quarterback Cleveland McCoy threw for 181 yards and three touchdowns in a completely dominating performance by the six-time NEFL champion Pioneers.

On defense, the Pioneers were led by tackle Jeff McGaster, who had seven tackles and two sacks, defensive end Brandon Murdock, who had seven tackles, and linebacker Patrick Mitambo, who recorded six tackles and a sack.

Defensive end Rob Wills notched two sacks in the game.

Running back Jamal McNutt rushed for a touchdown late in the game. Receivers Joseph Mapson, Bradley Landrum and Rashem Sharpe also had TD catches.

It was the first regular season NEFL game of 2016 for both teams. The Pioneers led 14-0 after the first quarter and 28-0 at halftime in a game where they were never challenged. The Pioneers are now 2-0 in 2016 and have outscored their first two opponents 117-0.

Players of the Game were:
Offense - Ronald Zollicoffer.
Defense - Donte Pettis and Jeff McGaster.
Special teams - kicker Eric Ellestad.

St. Paul travels to Des Moines this coming Saturday to take on the defending MFA champion Blaze in the teams' annual Capital City Classic contest. Des Moines won the first two games of the series in 2013 and 2014, with St. Paul winning last season at Sea Foam Stadium.

15 Years of Excellence: Pioneers Homecoming 2016

The Saint Paul Pioneers are honored to have had many fine players, volunteers and staff play and participate with the Cardinal and Black over our 15 seasons. We want to invite all of them back to celebrate the team's success and longevity.

More details to come.

Date: June 25.

Time: 7 p.m.

Admission: Free to ALL former Pioneers players, coaches and volunteers who RSVP.

We will have more details soon.