Pioneers Playoff Hopes Dashed, But Team Has Bright Future

By J. Alfred Potter

On Saturday evening, the Pioneers took the two-hour trip to Winona, MN, to face off in an opening round playoff match against the River City Rough Riders.

The game was hard fought with neither team wishing to give up an inch. It's what you expect when two good teams meet on the gridiron when the season is on the line. Every player and coach on the field that day knew what was at stake. It was more than bragging rights. I firmly believe we witnessed the birth of a new heated rivalry between two programs. 

Offensively, the Pioneers could not find a rhythm. Riddled with three and outs, Thayer's offense was unable to find the endzone. 

Defensively, the Pioneers put up a valiant effort and were able to find the endzone twice. They did once on a scoop-and-score fumble recovery by Corey Adams and they scored again by means of a Jayvon Purifoy pick-six. 

In the end, the Rough Riders came out on top, but I am proud to say the Pioneers never gave up. They never lost their full composure and they took the loss on the chin. The Pioneers left the field that day disappointed in a loss, but proud of where they ended up. This team grew and laid a foundation for something special to be built upon. These young men came together in January as individuals and on Saturday night, they left as a team - no, they left as brothers.