Pioneers prepare to reload - not rebuild

The more things change, the more they stay the same for the powerhouse Pioneer pigskin program.

Big Sandy left unfinished business on the field after a 10-1 2019 season ended with a semifinal loss to eventual state champion Jordan in the Montana 6-man semifinal. The Mustangs' lone blemish for the year wound up being a season-opening 44-28 loss to Big Sandy.

In 2020, it's a whole new ballgame.

The Pioneers replace more than half their starting lineup. But so does Jordan. So do many teams in the always-exciting 6-man division.

"I've got my core guys back," said Big Sandy coach Larry Jappe. "We'v...