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Posted on Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 11:20 p.m.

Pioneer stifles Saline offense in 36-14 SEC Red win

By Rich Rezler

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For the past couple of seasons, Pioneer High School football coach Jeremy Gold has been waiting for his defense to become a dominant unit.

That day may have come.

The Pioneers stifled Saline Friday night, limiting the Hornets' typically-powerful spread offense to less than 100 total yards in a 36-14 Southeastern Conference Red Division win.

"I'll tell you this, our kids the last two years we haven't played very well defensively at times," Gold said. "This year these kids are seeming to grasp the concept and the scheme we're throwing at them and they're playing pretty fast."

"I think we have a pretty good secondary ... and guys who come off the edge pretty quickly. We didn't win the state track championship a couple years ago for nothing. We have speed here. We have athletes and smart guys, so these kids are putting it all together now and getting after it."

Pioneer (3-0, 2-0) players were in Saline's backfield after nearly every snap, limiting the Hornets to three plays or fewer on eight of its first nine possessions.

Saline quarterbacks Joe Boisture and Trey Heren were sacked six times and under pressure the rest of the night, finishing a combined 4-of-13 passing for 39 yards. (Boxscore)

The Pioneer defense even got in on the scoring when lineman Ryan Richmond tackled a Saline ballcarrier in the end zone for a safety at the end of the second quarter, giving the Pioneers a 19-7 halftime lead.

"We practiced really hard this week for this opponent because they're challenging and we just put the coaching to use," said Pioneer defensive end Oscar Dunlap, who recorded two sacks. "I expected a lot more (out of Saline), but you never know what's going to happen."

Saline (2-1, 1-1) played the game without four injured starting offensive linemen and leading rusher Garrett Gordon, who was limited primarily to defense with a cast on his hand.

Hornet coach Mike Glennie refused to discuss his team's injury situation, saying only "our best played, and that's it."

"It was very frustrating. We didn't have any time," Glennie said. "Our kids didn't execute and that (Pioneer) defense has some great athletes."

The Pioneers have some athletes on offense, as well. After starting the game with three three-and-outs of its own, Pioneer scored on all but one possession over the second and third quarters to take a commanding 36-7 lead.

Senior quarterback Miles Sorise scored on a 1-yard run and threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ricardo Miller.

The running back duo of sophomore Drake Johnson (15 carries, 142 yards) and junior Terrell Moran (17 carries, 102 yards) each added touchdown runs.

Pioneer placekicker Jeremy Ross, perfect on four extra-point attempts, added field goals of 43 and 36 yards.

Saline scored its points on a 25-yard Nick Winchester run in the first half (accounting for more than half of the Hornets' first-half total offense) and Cory Herrmann's fourth quarter return of a blocked Pioneer punt.

Gold reminded his team after the game that they're already one-third of the way through the regular season with plenty of improvement left to make. Committing 15 penalties on Friday was particularly concerning.

"We still have a lot of room to grow, which is a good thing," Gold said. "I don't feel like we've maxed out at all. Our kids are responding, but there's a lot of growth that has to happen over the next six weeks." (Boxscore)

Comments

momzilla

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:52 a.m.

Way to go PHS--playing like the team that you are---on and off the field. Stay focused. One game at a time.

c goss

Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 5:26 a.m.

You played your hearts out and it showed! PIHI Football has a first class team with great sportsmanship!!! You Rock Coach GOLD and all the other coaches!!!!

m macke

Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 7:36 a.m.

Yeah Pioneer! Keep up the good work on the field (and in the school too).