The 2016 Big Sandy Pioneer football team finds themselves under the direction of first-year head coach Ronnie Simpson. Simpson played collegiate basketball for the MSU-Northern Lights for two seasons but is not unfamiliar to Pioneer athletics or to the game of six-man football.

Simpson is most familiar to local sports aficionados roaming the sidelines on the basketball court. Over the past few seasons he has guided the Junior High boys basketball program and last year was at the helm of the high school boys and girls programs.

Simpson help build the program at Box Elder High School as an assistant football coach from 2012-2014, a team that would finish second in the state in Class C six-man football last fall.

During his time with the Bears Simpson was part of a rebuilding program that began from the very beginning. The Bears hadn't played football for a couple years and the program was starting from scratch. That experience, developing a program and installing new schemes will surely help Simpson develop a strong Pioneer program.

Simpson is very enthusiastic about this year's Squad and what their potential is. As is the case with all first-year coaches implementing new schemes both offensive and defensively can be a challenge.

With every team reliance is put on it's returning players and upperclassmen in particular for help in implementing that plan.

The Pioneers have only one senior in Lawrence Allderdice. His impact on the team and the underclassmen can't be underestimated. Lawrence has embraced the system, he's helping younger kids and has really bought into the program, "He's always been a hard worker on and off the field and will be counted on heavily," said Simpson.

Allderdice has been a staple for the Pioneer program all through high school contributing on both sides of the ball. As a senior its time for him to lead the team.

Also out for football this fall are juniors Nick Diacon, Dylan Darlington, Bryant Jones and Duke Darlington. Sophomores include Dallas Geyer, Jordan Schwartzbach, Everett Simpler. Freshman this fall are Hunter Jappe, Elijah Wagner, Ryan Roth and Brock Prouix. Larry Jappe will assist Simpson with the coaching duties.

"It's always difficult to put in a brand new system, but the kids have been working hard, grasping the new concepts," commented Simpson. "The entire team has been giving all they've got in practice, put in two-a-day practices that have included both the weight room and time on the field."

"The younger kids are the future of the program and they have to be ready to step in on a moment's notice. They've been learning, attentive and focused on the task at hand. The future is bright and I'm excited about this season," said Simpson.

The Pioneers will begin play in Noxon this Friday evening. Noxon played eight-man football a season ago and it's unclear on what kind of team they will field. "As a coach I have to have the team ready to face whatever offensive and defensive schemes they will play with. I have to have them ready to face a running team, a passing team or a combination of both, it'll be a fun start to the season and I can't wait" concluded Simpson.

The following week the Pioneers will make their home debut when they take on the rival Box Elder Bears and while the Bears finished 2nd in the state a season ago, graduation hit them hard as they lost all six starters on both sides of the ball and fell to Hot Springs 75-0 in the opener.

Leslie Gregory

Senior Laurence Allderdice

Big Sandy will remain at home on September 16th to take on the Heart Butte Warriors. They will then head back out on the road to take on the Sunburst Refiners. October 1 has the pioneers scheduled to play the North Star Knights. Big Sandy will then close out there home schedule on October 7 versus Valier and October 14 against Geraldine/Highwood. The Pioneers will conclude the regular season on October 19 with a road contest at the Augusta Elks. The first round of the Class C 6-man football playoffs is slated for October 29th.