After splitting the first two preseason games, the Pioneer High School varsity football team began their first winning streak of the year when they comfortably defeated River City 34-7.
The Patriots came into Friday night's home game 1-1 following a road defeat to Wood on opening night and a massive 41-17 home win over Twelve Bridges last week. Thanks to four rushing touchdowns from standout Jack Carner, and a pick-six from safety Julian Munoz, the Patriots cruised into a 2-1 record on the year.
With two new quarterbacks at their disposal in Carson King and Ryan Pearson, coupled with a pack of more than capable pass catchers, the Patriots know that any growing pains on offense will be quickly addressed.
They looked to be on track after Carner returned last week from injury. Hector Casas, a leading receiver from last year, also figures to be back before league play.
Pioneer High School's Julian Munoz (9) goes for a tackle during the second quarter of the Patriots game against River City Friday night. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
"I like where we are, and I feel we are in a pretty good spot with our team," Pioneer head coach Matthew Bryson said. "It's been a typical start here. Defenses are usually ahead of the offenses. However, our guys are making strikes week after week, so I'm excited about the potential of our offense. We feel we have two kids that can play quarterback as well. Carson has thrown the ball well the first few weeks."
Despite losing around eight key defensive pieces to graduation last season, the Patriots have still managed to play great on that side of the ball as they look to restock with new or holdover players looking for a bigger role.
"I feel we are in a good spot defensively," Bryson said.
After both teams traded possession that led to punts for most of the opening 12 minutes, River City got on the board and took a 7-0 lead with just 25 seconds left in the quarter. A huge catch down the sideline and a personal foul that added 15 yards to the Raiders' drive led to a 10-yard slant for the score.
Pioneer High School quarterback Carson King (16) right before completing a big pass to wide receiver Haiden Aletto Friday night. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
On the following possession, the Patriots quarterback Carson King threw an interception inside their own 25-yard line. However, thanks to the Pats' stout defense, the Raiders lost multiple yards on a stuffed run and then fumbled, eventually leading to a missed feild goal attempt.
On the next drive, the Patriots offense finally got some momentum. King would connect on a huge pass to Julian Munoz before drawing a pass interference on the next play on another pass to Munoz.
While they gained a lot of yards, they'd eventually have to punt it back to the Raiders, but at the very least, they flipped the feild position and pinned River City inside their 10-yard line.
The field position game worked as River City fumbled the ball right back to Pioneer, setting the table for a tough three-yard touchdown run from Carner, tying the game up at 7-7.
The good times continued for the Patiots as on the next drive, Munoz would intercept the River City quarterback and return it 60-plus yards for a touchdown. Following a missed point after attempt, the Patriots led 13-7 and never looked back.
"It's weird how different teams can play us well," Bryson said. "The game was a defensive struggle early, and when Munoz made the play, it was all downhill for us from there. After that, we caught our stride, and off we went."
With under a minute left in the half, Pioneer got the ball back for one more shot before halftime. Two huge passes to Haiden Aletto set up the Pats on the two-yard line before Carner grinded it in for the score. At halftime, Pioneer was up 20-7.
With limited action in the third quarter, Pioneer came out in the fourth and looked to end it right there and then. Carner took the ball on the River City 24-yard line, made at least one player miss, and had a free jog into the endzone to make it 27-7.
Moments later, with three minutes left in the game, Carner would punch in his fourth score of the night and third from inside the five-yard line with a game-clinching three-yard run.
"Our challenges are coming," Bryson said. "We can always improve, but we are stressing to get a lot of the kids on the feild, and that takes time. I just think we need to continually improve. Kids are getting into great shape with this heat. I hope we hit our stride right around the Woodland Christian game in a few weeks.
Next for Pioneer will be another home game on Friday night when they take on Rio Americano, a team Woodland High just beat 12-7. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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