Stuffed

Sometimes you just have to congratulate the opposition and that's the case today for disappointed Pioneer fans. The North Reading game plan worked to perfection.

Their offense ground out first down after first down, scored 45 points and kept the Pioneer offense off the field. The defense created two turnovers that turned into 16 Hornet points and made just enough stops (3) to hold off the CAL Baker Division champs in a hard earned 42-35 win.

C. J. McCarthy was immense on both sides of the ball for the Hornets, rushing for  four TD's and returning a pick for another. He had a second interception that led to a score.

On a disappointing note, captain Kyle McGah came up 15 yards short of breaking the all time LHS scoring record. He needed 17 points and got 12 on two TD runs. He nearly got the third he needed on the last Pioneer drive of the day on a run that got him to the 15 yard line but that was as close as he would get. He finished his amazing Pioneer career with  258 points, a total that will not soon be challenged. He is only the second Pioneer ever to score more than 200 points in his career.

Despite the loss, Pioneer fans still have a lot to be thankful for. A 9-2 record, including a playoff win and a repeat league championship are massive achievements. Never let this recent run of success diminish the magnitude of what this year's squad has accomplished. Revel in it and enjoy it.

It was a great season and the players and coaches should be proud.

As head coach Neal Weidman said after the game, now we start all over again.

Check back later in the weekend for my Leftovers post.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.