Turnovers doom Pioneers in high-scoring contest

By Jim Walsh

Football folks love to say things like “speed kills” and “defense wins championships.” But there’s one tried-and-true axiom that’s almost always correct: It’s hard to win when you turn the ball over.

On Saturday at Burnsville High School, the Pioneers fell to the undefeated Sheboygan County Sabercats 38-30, as a prolific St. Paul offense couldn’t overcome a slew of turnovers. With the loss, the Pioneers fell to 4-3 in the Midwest United Football League.

The Pioneers started slowly, with the Sabercats jumping to an early lead thanks to some early Pioneers’ miscues giving Sheboygan County the ball in decent field position. But an interception by the Pioneers’ Trey Keenan kept St. Paul within striking distance at the half.

Quarterback Matthew Thayer and the Pioneers’ offense found a rhythm in the second half, with St. Paul even taking a late lead against the Northern division leaders. Thayer hit Josh Castro, Andrew Barnes and Anthony Baggett – who hit paydirt twice – with scoring tosses. Running back Isiah Sims also fond the end zone.

But, in the end, more miscues allowed the Sabercats to pull out the road victory late.

J. Alfred Potter contributed to this story.