Pioneer Runs Away from a Pesky Monroe team 54-18
10/2/2009

Ann Arbor Pioneer faced off against a pesky Monroe team that initially caused the Pioneers some frustration with their misdirection oriented offense. The Pioneer offense continued its season long domination of their opponents by taking the opening drive down the field scoring on a 45 yd TD run by running back Austin Sanders at 11:10 of the first quarter.  Monroe responded with a drive focused on a strong running game to move within a point (7-6) as a result of a 5 yd TD run.  Pioneer quickly responded with another efficient drive culminating with a 4 yd shuffle pass from Andy Creal to Sanders and Pioneer increased its lead to 14-6.  Monroe again responded with a drive that ended with a 48 yd TD pass to pull within 2 at 14-12 at the end of the 1st quarter.

 

Pioneer’s passing game kicked in during the second quarter with Creal (18 for 23 for 231 yds and 4 TDs) connecting with Sanders (9 rec for 105 yds and 2 TDs) on an 18 yd TD pass  followed by a 18 yd connection to Sam Harshberger (4 rec for 54 yds and 2 TDS) to move ahead 27-12 with 3:24 left in the half.  Monroe quickly responded with a short scoring drive resulting in a TD with 1:03 left in the half.  Monroe left too much time on the clock for the Pioneer offense.  Pioneer moved 65 yds in 46 seconds with Sanders scoring on a 9 yd run with 0:12 left in the half.  Pioneer led at the half 33-18.

 

Pioneers defense made significant halftime adjustments and dominated the 2nd half.  Bryan Griffin got things started with an interception a 10:16 in the 3rd quarter and on the first play of the ensuing drive, Sanders (161 yds on 12 carries and 4 TDs) ran 22 yds for a TD.  Pioneer led 40-18.  Cedric Johnson Jr recovered a fumble on the next drive and Pioneer again moved down the field with Sanders scoring again on a 16 yd run to move ahead 47-18.  The defense led by Justin Jones (14 tackles), Brady Butler (11 tackles), Chris Rollin (11 tackles), Ivy Gregory (9 tackles) Frank Diaz (7 tackles) and Aaron Noffke (6 tackles) controlled the rest of the game for the Pioneers.  Creal hit Harshberger on a 8 yd TD pass with 1:25 left in the 3rd to complete the scoring and Pioneer won going away 54-18.  The 4th quarter was a defensive slugfest with Billy Durand, Jay Lipinski, Javon Williams, Dallas Curtis, Jason Matney, Anthony Soto and Josh Bush all making great plays.