Pioneers Pitch Another Shutout, Bring Home Lampeter Bowl

 

On Friday, the football team traveled to East Lampeter Township for the creatively named "Lampeter Bowl." Both teams won their games last week, with the Buckskins surging back late to defeat Garden Spot, and the boys from the west end shutting out Penn Manor. 

Several Pioneer players prior to the Penn Manor game (Logan Thompson)

I'd like to say the trophy matchup was a barn-burning back-and-forth shootout, but it was anything but. 20 minutes into the game, we were still waiting for the first points to be scored. Both offenses were moving the ball, but neither team was able to make the one big play to make a difference. 

Late in the first half, Giovanni Malatesta found a gap and broke off a 29-yard run. A late hit was called on the Buckskins, tacking 15 yards onto the play and putting the Pioneers into pole position. Jonathan Mellinger would punch it in from the goal line a few plays later to open the scoring.

The Buckskins had a strong rushing attack going, but were a bit hard by the turnover and penalty bugs. The Pioneer defense was exceptional, coming up with a big play to stop the CV offense anytime they started to look menacing. "They're doing a really really really good job. Our defensive coordinator Gary Morrison has done a great job game planning and the kids are executing," coach Victor Ridenour said. 

In the back half of the final quarter, Payton Cunningham and Mellinger added to the tally via the ground game, pushing the final score to 19-0.


The Pioneers now lead the trophy series 9-2. Due to the section realignment taking place next year, the sides likely won't meet for a few years. I'm sure the team will find a nice and cozy shelf for the trophy to rest until the next bout with the Buckskins. Up next for the Pioneers is another chance at silverware in form of the Milk Jug Trophy. The Mules are also 2-1, and will come in hot off the back of a 42-0 win over Muhlenberg. 

By Logan Moyer, LS News Editor-in-Chief

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