Pioneer High School football team crushes Dixon in season opener
Thanks to two explosive touchdowns from junior Devion Corley, the Pioneer High School varsity football team looked to be in midseason form as they took care of business against familiar foe Dixon High School, defeating them 35-0. The home and season o…
Thanks to two explosive touchdowns from junior Devion Corley, the Pioneer High School varsity football team looked to be in midseason form as they took care of business against familiar foe Dixon High School, defeating them 35-0.
The home and season opener Friday night featured two teams well-versed in one another after battling for playoff spots in a competitive Golden Empire League last season. While the Patriots (1-0) and Rams (0-1) may no longer share the same scheduled games, they found a way to continue sharing the field for at least another year.
"I'm excited," Patriots head coach Matthew Bryson said following the game. "These guys (Dixon) have given us some fits and have matched up with us for the past two to three years. They have just played us well, but I thought tonight was a dominant statement. We just played well."
Last year, the Rams endured a rough season, finishing 3-8 overall and 3-2 in the league. Despite the losing record, their efforts in the GEL paid off nicely with a first-round playoff game at Rosemont, which they ultimately lost 61-27.
Pioneer is coming off a very successful 8-4 season last year, where they went 4-1 in the Golden Empire League, earning them a home playoff game. In the first round of the CIF SJS DV playoffs, the Patriots defeated Ceres 35-14 before losing in the quarterfinal on the road to Hillmar by the score of 41-32.
The Patriots opened up their account in the touchdown department early in the first quarter with a Prince Flores touchdown run from about seven yards out to make it 7-0
After forcing Dixon to punt, Pioneer looked dead set to add to that lead after Landon Dahler ripped off a massive 42-yard run all the way to the 2-yard line. But it was a wasted effort after a holding and personal foul call pushed the Patriots back into a rare but undesirable second and 40.
With the drive over, the Patriots punted the ball back to the Rams and pinned them deep into their territory. Dixon had some work to do to make it a game and did just that.
Pioneer High School quarterback Braulio Acevedo throws a pass down the sideline during the Patritos' home opener against Dixon High School on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer High School quarterback Braulio Acevedo (middle) celebrates a long touchdown with wide receiver Devion Corley during Patriots' home opener against Dixon High School on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer High School defensive lineman Tristan Salas chases down the Dixon High School quarterback during the first half of the Patriots home opener on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer High School running back Landon Dahler rips off a 42-yard run that was ultimately called back for two flags during the first half of the Patriots' home opener on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer High School senior Martin Bartz extends for a catch during the first half of the Patriots' home opener against Dixon High School on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
Pioneer High School's Mitchell Cotton (6) and Emilio Casas (17) crush the Dixon High School quarterback during the Patriots' home opener on Friday, Aug. 23. (Carlos Guerrero/Daily Democrat)
With the second quarter kicking off and at their 5-yard line, the Rams found a rhythm on offense by running the ball right up the gut.
During the unrelenting six-minute drive, the Rams racked up five first downs, but in the end, it was all for nothing. On third down, the Rams quarterback found himself in some trouble and got crunched between Mitchell Cotton and Emilio Casas, fumbling the ball right into the hands of Patriots lineman Tristan Salas. Pioneer gleefully took over the ball at the 27-yard line.
"Defensivley we were dominant," Bryson said. "They had that really long possession in the second quarter, but shutting someone out in high school is hard. I'm definitely excited about this start we had."
A few plays later, the Patriots made Dixon pay for the turnover with a 40-yard bomb from quarterback Braulio Acevedot to Corley, making it 14-0.
"It feels good to play more this year," Croley said. "I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't for my quarterback, teammates and coaches."
On the kickoff, things got worse for the Rams as a massive mental lapse allowed Pioneer's Noah Jauregui to recover the ball in excellent feild position at the 24-yard line. Pioneer conveyed that turnover into an acrobatic 12-yard back shoulder touchdown catch from Julian Barajas, making it 21-0.
"I thought Braulio was good tonight throwing the ball," Bryson said. "He was just accurate and threw catchable balls. He put the first touchdown on the back shoulder."
Acevedo went 4-of-9 passing for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
With all the momentum, Pioneer still wasn't satisfied going into halftime.
Fresh off his touchdown in the first half, Corely doubled up on scores with a back-breaking kickoff return for a score right at the start of the second half to make it 28-0 and essentially ice the game.
"To be honest, I didn't think I was going to make it all the way to the endzone," Corley recalled after the game. "I was tired. But I burst through a hole when I saw it like I always do and scored."
Corley finished the game with 2 catches for 50 yards. Barajas finished with 3 catches for 39 yards.
"He (Corley) has a chance to be special," Bryson shared. "We just have to find ways to get him the ball in space."
Later in the fourth quarter, the Patriots backups got a chance to have fun. On his first drive, backup quarterback Jordan Constancio scrambled out of the pocket, found some space, and ran it from 12 yards out for the final score, making it 35-0.
Pioneer will travel to River Valley next Friday, Sept. 30. In last year's season opener, the Patriots defeated the Falcons 22-6.
"We'll get in tomorrow and get a lift in, put a plan together Sunday night, and show up Monday ready for River Valley," Bryson said. "We haven't been there in a while. When I first coached here in the old days, River Valley was a league contest. We'll head out to the Yuba City area and see what they look like."
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