By Zach Ortiz

Going into halftime Sunday, Sept. 2, Kirkwood football was in an unfamiliar spot; down 22-6 against the Hazelwood East Spartans. The Pioneers had not been down at halftime since the State Championship game Nov. 26, 2011.

“It started a little shaky and we underestimated them,” Jordan Bishop, varsity quarterback and senior, said. “They came to play in the first half, and we didn’t.”

Kirkwood scored first on a four yard pass from Bishop to senior wide receiver Clyde Benson, but the #10 ranked Spartans (according to STLhighschoolSPORTS.com) used their speed to run back a kickoff for 89 yards. They followed up this score with two more running touchdowns before half, racking up 22 consecutive points.

Even while being down, Bishop said his team kept a positive attitude.

“We were all picking each other up,” Bishop said. “We know how to play football and that was not how we practiced or how we play.”

At halftime, varsity head coach Matt Irvin said it was time for some adjustments.

“There were some schematic adjustments but most of the adjustments were about focus,” Irvin said. “We had 10 guys doing the job correctly most plays, but we need 11.”

The Pioneers would come out with a more physical game plan in the second half.

“We just came out with a different mentality wanting to be more physical and that changed how we played the second half,” Bishop said.

Bishop then scored three of the next four touchdowns in the second half; two three-yard runs and one 13 yard run. Bishop finished with 43 rushing yards in the game. Ramon Alton, senior, would also add a running touchdown of his own. He would finish with 96 yards rushing.

Irvin praises Bishop’s performance in the second half.

“He’s a competitive kid,” Irvin said. “The tighter the situation the better he is. He’s better late and when things are tight.”

The Pioneers prevented the Spartans from scoring in the second half. The game-winning touchdown was a big one in Bishop’s mind.

“I was happy that we came back,” Bishop said. “I was trying to get everyone on the sidelines pumped up and our defense so that they could get another stop.”

After 26 consecutive points scored by the Pioneers, they would defeat the Spartans 32-22. The #1 ranked Pioneers will face off at home against the Parkway West Longhorns (0-2) Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.