Pioneer puts it away, spoils Southwest's homecoming
PHARR — The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks picked up a much-needed District 16-5A DII win against the Southwest Javelinas, 34-10, here at PSJA Stadium.
The dub for the D’Backs helps them improve to 4-3 on the year, with a 2-1 record in district play. As for the Javelinas, they fall on their homecoming and drop to 4-4 on the year, with a 0-4 tally in the district standings. For the boys in the blue, they’ve been feeling the blues as this is the fourth straight loss for the Javelinas after they’ve had a historic start to the season at 4-0.
The district shakeup has proven to be impactful as this slate of teams have proven that anyone can knock out any team. Pioneer needed the win to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot as they are now on a balance beam in the fourth spot (as of press time). For the Javelinas, their playoff hopes continue to slip away.
“I thought our players came out and played well after last week’s loss (to Laredo Ciagarroa),” Head Coach Eddie Galindo said. “You know, (we) faced the adversity and we came back and fought hard and played tough.”
Pioneer was able to get on the board first in the initial quarter off a gutsy 4th and 9 call as Malakai Galindo connected with Trey De La Garza for a 23-yard score. In that particular play, Galindo knew it was a free throw that had no penalties as a Javelina defender jumped offsides before the snap.
The 80-yard drive off of nine plays helped the D’Backs gain a 7-0 lead with about 7 minutes left in the quarter.
After Pioneer was able to stop Southwest, Cole Scurlock broke free on a 46-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 to seal the first quarter.
The Diamondbacks utilized their linebackers and secondary to put a hamper on one of the region’s leading rushers with Raul Garza. One of the ailments for the Javelinas this year was the lack of a passing game — so, once Garza gets contained then the Hogs are forced to go through the air.
“… I think our defense did a great job of holding them and giving us the ball back. From there, it was just sticking to the game play and make sure that their explosive players can’t get explosive plays against us. I thought we did a good job of containing them,” Galindo said.
He also said that his team did a tremendous job at restraining Garza from breaking out on big plays.
“You can’t really stop that guy,” Galindo said of Garza. “He’s the No. 2 rusher in the Valley. So you know, they fought hard, and I’m real proud of the team.”
The second quarter emulated much of the first as Alec Chapa broke out for a 22-yard rush to set the D’Backs on the Javelinas’ 3-yard line. From there, Galindo got the call on the quarterback sneak and punched it in for the 21-0 lead.
The Hogs were able to get on the board with a 13-yard field goal to make it 21-3 at the half.
The second half was a bit of a slow burner as neither team saw the endzone until late in the third quarter. Pioneer was able to drain the majority of the game clock after a bit of sparring with Southwest.
Galindo near the end of the quarter launched it to Andrew Leal for the 77-yard score to make it a 28-3 game.
Southwest’s Garza got himself another touchdown on the season off a 20-yard scurry. However, any comeback was silenced by Pioneer as Galindo once again got a touchdown pass — this time to Alejandro Moya for a 55-yard rush to the endzone to ultimately take the game 34-10.
Pioneer quarterback, Malakai Galindo, said that his team’s performance really came through in a much-needed win against Southwest.
“I mean, we watched film and we did everything we needed to,” Malakai Galindo said, who is also the son of the head coach. “I’m just glad that all my receivers were on the same page. We have a lot of chemistry, so I’m glad that I’m able to trust them, and just have full confidence in them.”
Next week is a tough rivalry game for Pioneer as they face cross-town foe, the Sharyland Rattlers (4-2, 2-0). That game will be Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in Mission.