Boswell Sports -

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Pioneer Fact

November 18, 2010

The Boswell Pioneers were listed as an eight point underdog going into the Bi-District Championship game against the undefeated Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets.   Reminiscent of the “Little Engine That Could” the undersized Pioneers came roaring back in the final minute of the first half to blaze a trail all the way to Cowboys Stadium and the Area Round of the Texas UIL playoffs.   Falling behind by 25 points as the intermission loomed they seized the momentum on a 10 yard pass from Jacob Stone to Caden MacNeill. Boswell went on to score 6 more times and upset the Jackets 52-49.   The Pioneer defense appeared to stop the Jackets on the opening drive; however a fake punt gave Heights new life.  A 21 yard scamper by the Jackets running back Jordan Price gave them the first lead of the game.   Pioneer kicker Jared Hilgendorf responded with a 35 yard field goal to cut the Heights lead to 4.   Heights scored again on their next possession to make the score 14-3.   Jacob Stone again got the call and pushed in from 1 yard out to keep the game close.   Then adversity hit the Pioneers. Starting running back Jonathan Epps pulled a hamstring. Two plays later his replacement Rolando Gibson left the game with a knee injury.   Heights took advantage of situation and rattled off three scores in the second quarter while the Pioneer coaching staff scrambled to make adjustments.   Despite a 25 point deficit the Pioneers continued to fight. Head Coach John Abendschan began substituting players at various positions trying to find the right combination. Stone came in on defense at the cornerback spot and shut down the Jackets biggest weapon, Marquis Jackson.   With 0:47 second before the intermission, the Pioneers found a spark that ignited Brewer Bear Stadium. Stone hooked up with MacNeill in the corner of the end zone from 10 yards out.   On the ensuing kickoff Taylor Simmons recovered a bobbled kick at the Heights 39 yard line and the Boswell crowd erupted. Two plays later Devin Duke made a spectacular catch in the end zone to take the Pioneers into the break trailing only by 11; 24 – 35.   The Pioneers carried that momentum into the second half and scored 21 unanswered points to take their first lead of the game, 45-35 in the 4th quarter.   Refusing to be denied, Epps returned to the line up in the second half and scored on a 23 yard laser beam pass from Stone.  Heights then rallied for back to back scores and recaptured the lead 49 - 45 with 5 minutes left to play.   Stone and Epps again shredded the Jacket defense on a 46 yard pitch and catch to push ahead 52-49.   With a trip to Cowboys Stadium and the Bi-District Championship on the line, the Pioneer defense buckled down and stopped a Heights drive at the Boswell 10 yard line.   On 4th down Heights set up for a 27 yard field goal to tie the game. The kick with less that a minute left to play in the game fluttered under the crossbar and vaulted Boswell into the Area round of the playoffs.   The victory marks first time the Pioneers have advanced to the second round under Coach Abendschan.   Stone finished the game with 379 yards passing and 5 touchdowns through the air. He was 19 of 37 and 1 INT for the game. He also ran for 86 yards and 2 scores.   MacNeill led the team in receiving with 7 catches for 149 yards and 2 TDs. Duke was 4 for 62 and 1 score, while Epps went 3 for 80 and 2 touch downs.