The Sixth and Seventh Days of Pioneer Football

On the sixth day of Pioneer Football my Pioneers gave to me: six great assistant coaches.  In order of longest tenure, they are: Tim Hollibaugh (head baseball coach, assistant head football and defensive line coach), Jason Martinez (defensive coordinator and linebackers coach), Nate Smith (kickers and linebackers coach), Nick Plato (special teams coordinator and quarterbacks/receivers coach), Darien Bell (running backs coach), and Tom Brinkman '13 (defensive backs coach).  There's not a finer staff in the conference.

On the seventh day we recognize Jacob Bernholtz '17 and his seven rushing touchdowns.  That total is the most in a single season for a Pioneer since Sean Pfalzer in 2006.  Bernholtz recorded two rushing touchdowns against both Ripon College and Beloit College, and was named Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Week after the victory over Beloit.  Bernholtz capped his season by being named the Pioneers Offensive Rookie of the Year.

USA! USA! USA!

Colton Feller, Kevin Hwang, and Morgan Kinsinger all played major roles in the victory

Behind the contributions of many former Midwest Conference all-stars, the team from USA won the Tazon de Estrellas 29-7. 

Quarterbacks Luke Barthelmess (Lawrence University) and Juan Flores (Cornell College) both led scoring drives, and the defense was almost entirely Midwest conference players.  Morgan Kinsinger played the majority of the game at left tackle, helping the United States to over 450 yards of total offense, 6.3 yards per carry rushing, and a thirteen minute advantage in time of possession.

Defensively, Kevin Hwang and Colton Feller each recorded two tackles.  Hwang stopped one Mexico drive with an interception in the end zone.

The Fourth and Fifth Day of Pioneer Football

Andrew Clark intercepts a Cornell College pass.

Clark's coaches and teammates celebrate his record-tying interception.

 On the fourth day of Pioneer Football my Pioneers gave to me: four interceptions in one game.  Facing defending co-champion Lake Forest, the Pioneer defense rose to the occasion, intercepting four passes, consistently thwarting the Foresters scoring attempts.  Andrew Clark, Seth Gustafson, Kevin Hwang, and Colton Feller all recorded interceptions on the day, with Clark's setting up the lone Pioneer touchdown.

On the fifth day of Pioneer Football, we once again recognize Kevin Hwang and Andrew Clark, who tied for the Midwest Conference lead with five interceptions each.  For Clark, his fifth interception of the season, in the finale against Cornell College, tied the Grinnell College career record.  Clark and Matt Johnston (1997-2000) both recorded 14 career interceptions.

New Link for Tazon de Estrellas Broadcast

Feller, Kinsinger, and Hwang with three players from Mexico's roster.

Here is a new link to watch the live broadcast of the Tazon de Estrellas.  The game will kick off at 1:00 pm Central.  Tune in to support Pioneers Colton Feller, Kevin Hwang, and Morgan Kinsinger, as well as Team USA.

12 Days of Pioneer Football - the Third Day

On the third day of football my Pioneers gave to me: three players participating in post-season all-star games.  

Left tackle Morgan Kinsinger played the entire game for the South All-Stars in the D3 Senior Bowl in Salem Virginia last Friday night.  Kinsinger's South squad lost 10-7, but missed two field goal tries.  Morgan capped off a great career by being named Most Valuable Offensive Linemen for the third time, winning the Abe Rosenbloom Most Outstanding Offensive or Defensive Lineman, being named 2nd team All-Conference, and being invited to the D3 Senior Bowl as well as the Tazon de Estrellas.

Linebacker Colton Feller will also lace up the pads one more time at the Tazon de Estrellas.  Feller started 37 of 40 games in his career, and served as a captain his senior year.

Kevin Hwang was also named All-Conference after his senior year.  He has been moved from cornerback to outside linebacker to safety, where he was the most productive.  Hwang finished the year tied for first in the conference in interceptions and tied for sixth in tackles. 

The Tazon de Estrellas will kick off Saturday, December 21 at 1:00 pm central time, and can be viewed at: www.Terra.com.mx

12 Days of Pioneer Football - the Second Day

On the second day of football my Pioneers gave to me: two non-offensive touchdowns and a Cliff Harris Award finalist.

The Pioneers hosted their first home game of the season Saturday, September 28th against Beloit College.  Looking for their first win of the season, and starting a backup quarterback in rainy conditions, the Pioneers needed an early spark to gain some momentum.  That's exactly what they got from Junior linebacker Rich Renteria.  Renteria came off the edge for a huge sack/forced fumble that was recovered in the end zone by junior defensive end Clayton Desjardin for a 7-0 lead.

Later in the second quarter, sophomore safety Jacob Beecher broke through the punt protection to pressure and sack Buccaneer punter.  The ball squirted away and was recovered by first year Jacob Bernholtz for one of his three touchdowns on the day, and a 14-0 lead. 

The Pioneer offense got rolling soon after, and the team earned it's biggest victory of the season, 42-17.

Pioneers Help Stock the Local Food Pantry

Captains Seth Gustafson and David Ternes do some grocery shopping.

Each year the Pioneer Football team uses the proceeds from t-shirt sales to give back to a worthy group.  This year they've decided to help stock the local food pantry for the upcoming holiday season.  The local food pantry is run by MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action).  MICA has been in operation for over 40 years, with a mission of "Helping People.  Changing Lives.  Building Communities."  For information on how you can get involved, visit MICA's website.  
 

12 Days of Pioneer Football

In honor of the holiday season, we will be presenting the 12 Days of Pioneer Football video series.  Since it's already the 16th, check back often, as we'll be posting two videos a day for the first part of the week.

Day One highlights David Ternes, a Cliff Harris Award finalist.  David capped a second-consecutive strong campaign by being named All-Midwest Conference for the second year in a row, Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 2),  the Most Outstanding Defensive Line/Inside Linebacker for the second year in a row, and the Dick Ullrich '33 Most Outstanding Offensive or Defensive Back.  Ternes was also re-elected as a team captain, a position he's held since last December. 

Morgan Kinsinger set to Play in D3 Senior Classic

Kinsinger pins a Carroll defender inside.

 Stalwart left tackle Morgan Kinsinger will play in the first of two post-season all-star games Friday, December 13.  The game is scheduled for a 6:00 PM Central kickoff, and can be viewed here. 

Kinsinger is only the second Pioneer to be selected for the D3 Senior Classic, receiver Rob Seer was the other in 2011.  Morgan is also slated to play in the Tazon de Estrellas in Mexico, joined by teammates Colton Feller and Kevin Hwang.  A link to view the Tazon de Estrellas will be released soon.

Ternes Named a Finalist for Inaugural Cliff Harris Award

Ternes celebrating an interception vs Monmouth

Junior linebacker David Ternes continues to rack up the accolades, with the latest being named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. 

A total of 100 players were nominated for the award, across Division II, Division III and NAIA.  The list was narrowed to 49 finalists, and Ternes was one of only 21 from Division III.  He was also the only finalist from the Midwest Conference.

Ternes finished the season as the conference leader with 13.0 tackles per game.  He also recorded 7.5 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

The winner of the Cliff Harris Award will be announced later this month, and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club in February.