Pioneers football team outscores Flyers

The Pierz Pioneers and the Little Falls Flyers football team kicked off the season with a toe-to-toe battle Friday, Aug. 30. The Pioneers won 36-30.

The Flyers started out strong in the first half, beginning with a three-yard rushing touchdown by Joey Welinski along with an extra point from Derrick Young to make the score 7-0. The Pioneers answered with a rushing touchdown of their own, with Aiden Jones scurrying for one yard. A successful two-point conversion, involving a pass from Jaxsen Hardy to Bo Woitalla gave the Pioneers an 8-7 lead.

Jones scored again 9:13 in the second quarter, but failed a two point conversion, making the score 14-7. The Flyers came back with an 11-yard touchdown pass between Gavin Anderson and Trent Roden 5:55 left in the half. Another completed PAT from Young pulled the Flyers ahead and ended the half 15-14.

The Flyers extended their lead 22-14 lead 5:55 in the third quarter, with a 16 yard touchdown pass connection between Anderson and Roden. The tables turned when the Pioneers’ Jones made a dashing 46-yard touchdown run. A completed two point conversion by Liam Hennessy passing Carter Young tied the game 22-22.

Jones scored again, with a 19-yard run, followed by another two-point conversion run from Hennessy to make the score 30-22. The game was tied again on a 25-yard touchdown catch passed from the Flyers’ Anderson. The two point conversion was made by a pass from Anderson to Young. The Pioneers scored on another touchdown run by Jones, but a failed two-point conversion attempt gave the Pioneers a 36-30 lead with 1:16 left.

Top performers for the Pioneers include Jones with 13 carries and 125 yards, followed by Hennessy with 15 carries for 90 yards. Hennessy completed all four of the passes he attempted for 46 yards.

For the Flyers, Roden led the team with 102 receiving yards on eight passes. Welinski had 45 receiving yards from three carries. Anderson ended the day passing for 155 yards.

The Pioneers traveled to their next game in Rockford Friday, Sept. 6, while the Flyers hosted East Grand Forks. The Pioneers’ next game will be at home against Minnewaska Area Friday, Sept. 13. The Flyers will travel to Morris on the same day.