In a tightly contested defensive battle, Terra Nova defeated host Pioneer, 17-7, Friday night for its first win of the season. Both teams are now 1-2.
The game got off to a somewhat slow start, with the Pioneer defense proving to be a formidable counter to the Tiger offense. Headed by linebacker Phillip Limdorfer and defensive end Joseph Londre, the Mustangs created a strong wall that proved difficult to penetrate. Terra Nova QB K'Ren Spain scored on a touchdown run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Things began to look up for the Mustangs when WR Dominic Barnes caught a stellar 22-yard touchdown pass from QB Drew Fryhoff to tie the score 7-7 with 10:45 left in the first half. But Spain answered with a touchdown pass of his own to WR Jalen Jones to give Terra Nova a 14-7 lead at the break.
“Our offense really pulled through,” Terra Nova DL Antonio DeFrietas said. "We are happy for what they have accomplished."
Following halftime, the Mustangs decided to rely on their already impressive defense to prevent the Tigers from extending their lead. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
“We played well, but really needed to focus on penetrating their defense,” Terra Nova OL Alex Ayag said.
The success of the Mustangs' defense could not help them very much on offense however, as many of their attempts to push forward with a run by Barnes and a critical pass to Russell Neeley both fell flat once Terra Nova started picking up its own defense.
Early in the fourth quarter, it looked as though Pioneer was about to make a comeback when Barnes scored an apparent touchdown, but the play was called back because of a penalty. A final Pioneer drive, highlighted by several runs by Devin Appleton, was thwarted on an interception by Terra Nova DB Victor Guillera.
“After two difficult defeats, we have to clean ourselves up so we aren’t teetering like this anymore," Terra Nova head coach Bill Gray said, "but regardless it was very important that we won tonight."
