Pioneers Burn Witches in Scrimmage

By Tom Condardo

Yes it was only a scrimmage but the Pioneers looked pretty impressive in dismantling the Salem Witches Tuesday afternoon in Salem. Each team took turns running 10 play sets with the first teams getting three and the second team running off two sets.

Jake Rourke powers into the end zone for an eight yard TD

The Pioneer offense rolled for 483 yards in their 50 plays and pretty much moved the ball at will. Quarterbacks captain Danny Sullivan and sophomore Louis Ellis completed 8 of 11 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns - two to captain Cam Rondeau (42 yards and 55 yards) I think - not sure of the third passing TD of the day so jump in if I have that wrong) and another to Rob Debonis (19 yards). They nearly had another when Sullivan and captain Jonny Knee hooked up for a 47 yard bomb down to the three yard line.

The ground game was equally effective as the Pioneers rushed 39 times and rolled for 244 yards and two touchdowns - one by Jake Rourke (5 yards) and the other a rocket-like 47 yard sprint by Drew McCarthy down the left sideline.

On the other side of the ball, the defense stifled the Salem attack, holding the passing game to 7 completions in 16 attempts and 45 yards. The Witches managed only 80 yards on the ground on 34 carries. They never reached the end zone and made it inside the Pioneer 30 yard line in only one of their five sets.

The Pioneers will be back at it in their only game-like scrimmage on Friday afternoon in Wakefield against Northeast Metro Tech.