Pioneers Drop David Douglas 56 - 20 For Third Win In A Row
The Pioneers actually won their third and fourth game in a row tonight. Before the game it was learned next week’s scheduled home game with the Centennial Eagles has been forfeited. This will give the team a much-needed bye week to heal some...
By Daniel Crawford
The Sandy Pioneers (5 - 3) celebrated Senior Night with their third win in a row and first home victory of the season by downing the David Douglas Scots 56 - 20.
The Pioneers actually won their third and fourth game in a row tonight. Before the game it was learned next week’s scheduled home game with the Centennial Eagles has been forfeited. This will give the team a much-needed bye week to heal some bumps and bruises before playing the final game of the season in Gresham on October 30.
Gracyn Fitch had another monster night, eclipsing his four-touchdown performance in Milwaukie last week by scoring five against the Scots. He posted four rushing and one receiving touchdown on offense. Defensively, he recorded a sack and a half, plus he forced a fumble that resulted in a Pioneer recovery inside the red zone. Fitch has scored nine touchdowns in the last two games. After the game Fitch said, “This feels so good to win on Senior Night and to win our first home game. We are getting healthier and we are starting to play like we know we can.”
The Scots won the opening coin flip and elected to receive. Mason Frederickson
returned from a two-game absence and made his presence known on the first defensive series by cuffing and stuffing a Scot ball carrier for a loss and then he split a quarterback sack with teammate Jackson Hunt on the next play. But the Scots converted on a fourth down play to sustain a drive that capped off with a 19-yard TD reception to stake an early 6 - 0 lead. The point after was blocked.
The Pioneers took only :49 seconds to respond with a three-play go-ahead drive with quarterback Micah Turin rushing once for 41-yards and passing for 4 yards to Kam Caruso to knot the game at 6 - 6. Grant Messinger’s PAT was good for a 7 - 6 lead. David Douglas came right back after a successful 28-yard gain on a flea flicker. Then a 22-yard pass scoring pass to give the Scots a 13 - 7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Sandy opened second quarter play when Turin and Caruso connected on back-to-back first down passing plays. Then Fitch scored on runs of 6, 9 and 43 yards and received a one-yard pass from Turin as Sandy put up 28 points in the second quarter to take a 35 - 13 halftime lead.
The Pioneers received the second half kickoff. Turin and Caruso kept their passing
rhythm going as they played toss and catch for small chunk plays to the red zone.
Hudson Pearson caught a Turin pass at 10:14 mark to extend the lead to 42 - 13.
The Scots could not do a thing against the motivated Pioneer defense. Hunt recorded his second sack of the game and Pearson grabbed an interception.
The Pioneer offense ran the clock out in the third quarter at midfield. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Fitch ran it in for his fifth score of the night.
Head Coach Josh Dill decided to give his starters the night off with 9:18 to play.
Back-up QB Beckett Vanhee came in and launched a scoring pass to Austin White.
Messinger then added the PAT (his seventh of the night) and the game ended two
minutes later as the fans rushed out onto the field in pure joy.
Sandy is atop of the 5A-1 Conference at 3 - 0 and no matter the outcome of the
upcoming Gresham game, will win the Conference and play in the state playoffs.
