Following his team’s season-opening victory over Adrian, Pioneer Coach Calvin Griggs told his team that this was just the first step towards a state championship. The second-year coach took the team back to the playoffs last season after the program won just two games in two years.
It’s been quite the turn around for the Pioneers, and getting off to a good start is very important when you have such lofty goals and expectations.
“It was important for us to set the tempo and set the right tone by getting off to a strong start,” Griggs said after his team’s win over the Maples. “We didn’t end last year like we wanted to so we have had this game circled on the calendar for a long time.”
The Pioneers knocked off Adrian 27-17 after falling behind early in the game.
Pioneer also trailed Lincoln in week two but recovered for a 22-20 win over the Railsplitters on Friday night.
The Pioneers have a strong offensive line and a young quarterback in sophomore Cole Heys, who is now 2-0 as the starter. “We have to work through some things and just keep getting better,” Griggs said. “We have one of the best defenses in the state. We are very athletic, fly around and are relentless. They get after it. We are going to get better every day.”
That defense carried the Pioneers into the win column at Lincoln on Friday night. They created five takeaways including a fumble recovered for a TD by Houston McCoy. Sory Yasane had two interceptions while Yumin Jang and Hamada Alkani each had one pick for the Pioneers, who trailed 13-7 at halftime.
Hamada caught a TD pass from Heys and Houston scored a rushing TD for the Pioneers in the win.
SEE PHOTOGALLERY FROM ADRIAN GAME
Griggs says the Pioneers already have developed a bond and a personality.
“These kids are relentless,” he said. “They will go after you for four quarters. We don’t quit and we don’t give up. Our motto is ‘rise above’ so we want our kids to know that things are going to happen and it’s how you deal with that adversity that is going to define who you are on and off the football field. We have to keep rising above.”
Pioneer hosts Saline on Friday night. The Hornets knocked the Pioneers out of the playoffs last year with a 56-14 win. They also beat Pioneer 56-0 in the regular season.
“Losing to Saline last year was a tough loss for us,” Griggs said. “Our kids really worked hard in the off-season and leading up to the season. We will be ready.”
Saline is 2-0 on the season including an impressive 34-14 win at Dexter on Friday night.
