The KHS football team burst open the doors to Class 6 in their inaugural game against the Lindbergh Flyers Friday, Aug. 22. The Pioneers were led by a stout defense and explosive offense en route to a 48-9 thumping of LHS.

KHS started the game off strong, marching 74 yards down the field in two and a half minutes, capped off by a Jerod Alton, junior, touchdown. The Pioneer defense showed its poise, forcing Lindbergh to a three and out on their first drive. An offensive miscue resulted in a Pioneer fumble at midfield. On the ensuing play, Flyers quarterback Sam Neumeier, junior, completed a pass to cornerback Jamahl Scott, junior, at Kirkwood’s 20-yard line. One problem for Neumeier, however: Scott plays for Kirkwood.

After unsuccessful drives for both teams, the Pioneers stuffed the pigskin past the pylon once more on an 8-yard Robert Columbus, senior, rush with a minute left in the first quarter, making it 14-0.

The Flyers managed a 40-yard field goal midway through quarter two, only to be scored on twice within the last five minutes of the half. Senior Wil Hadler’s 30-yard strike to Amonte Mason, senior, was the first, followed by a 3-yard designed run by Reece Goddard, sophomore, with 8.5 seconds on the clock. An unsuccessful PAT made the score 27-3 in the Pioneer’s favor.

A third three and out for LHS as well as a quick drive for the Wood led to a 24-yard pass from Hadler to Alton for a touchdown. The score was 34-3, but the Flyers hadn’t given up quite yet, however, and grinded out a three-minute drive, scoring on a 1-yard pass to senior Logan Offner. Their two-point conversion was unsuccessful, setting the score at 34-9. Reece Goddard put on a clinic for both sides of the ball after that. His sack at Kirkwood’s 36-yard line forced a turnover on downs, and cooler than the other side of the pillow on offense, Goddard marched down the field like a veteran. Pioneers’ Frank Ginder, senior, capitalized, punching in a 1-yard TD run the first play of the fourth quarter.

Though the score was out of reach for the Flyers, KHS’s running game continued to show its depth. After forcing another three and out, it only took one play for KHS to score its final touchdown, a 71-yard touchdown run by Joseph Jordan, sophomore. The contest ended on a second Pioneer interception.

Kirkwood held LHS to 82 yards rushing on 24 carries, and only allowed 112 passing yards, forcing Flyer QB’s to go 13/29.

KHS faces off against McCluer North this Saturday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m. The Pioneers will take on Lafayette for their home opener Sept. 5.

Top Performers:

Rushing: Robert Columbus(Kirkwood)- 69 rushing yards, 8-yard rushing TD

Receiving: Amonte Mason(Kirkwood)- Six catches for 77 yards, 30-yard TD reception

Passing: Wil Hadler(Kirkwood)- 8/12 passing for 144 yards, 20 rushing yards, two TD passes(30, 24)

For more updates on Pioneer athletics, visit https://www.thekirkwoodcall.com/category/sports/