The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The Big Sandy Pioneer Football team challenged the rest of the Northern C Six-Man football division last fall finishing with a 4-4 record. This season they expect even bigger and better things.

Head coach Ronnie Simpson has a seventeen athletes out this fall and his team will surely be ready for the season opener when they host Noxon this Friday.

The Pioneers have missed the postseason the past few seasons but this year they expect to be in the thick of it when the first round starts October 28.

This years squad have great numbers, an experienced upper class and should have the depth required to compete at a high level within the division.

Seniors back for their final season are Duke Darlington, Tanner Ship Dylan Darlington, Weston Allderdice and Bryant Jones.

Allderdice brings back great experience and leadership and received Northern C Six-Man All-Conference and All-State Honors a season ago.

Juniors include Jordan Schwarzbach, Everett Sipler and Dallas Geyer,

Sophomores are Hunter Jappe, Ryan Roth, Clint Darlington, and Elija Wagoner.

Freshman getting their first taste of high school football are Parker Proix, Cameron Schwarzbach Brady Pleninger, Dillon Geyer and Kade Strutz.

Simpson expects his players to perform when given the opportunity, "I expect them to compete hard and show excellent sportsmanship. This is a great group of guys and I'm excited to be coaching them."

The seasons first game is just days away and Simpson likes where his team is at, "We are definitely ahead of schedule, a lot of the techniques we have put in place in the past have carried over to this season."

The players have been hard at work since August 11 and Simpson is pleased with his teams efforts, "Practice has been great, the kids have been really responsive and enthusiastic."

Friday can't get here soon enough for the team as they are anxious face someone else than each other in practice.

"The first game gives the coaches instant feedback on where their team truly is at, "I want to see aggression, excitement, confidence and enthusiasm," stated Simpson.

As far as the teams goals Simpson isn't shy about sharing his teams goals, "I hope we go undefeated and win the Six Man Class C State Championship!"

The Pioneers will face Noxon in the opener, then head out on the road for three straight.

Saturday, September 2 the team will travel to Winifred to face the Outlaws. Friday September 8 they face the Power-Dutton-Brady Titans in Power. They will conclude the stretch with a game in Heart Butte September 16.

They return home September 22 to take on Sunburst, September 29 will see the North Start Knights come to town,

The team will head back out on the road for contests in Valier and Geraldine October 6 and 14.

They will conclude the regular season at home against Augusta October 18.

The first round of the playoffs begin October 28, quarterfinals are set for November 4, semifinals November 11 and the state championship November 18.