Langston – The Pioneers capped off their 2024 regular season with a tough 21-20 loss on the road against Langston University. The Pioneers finished the 2024 regular season with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-5 record in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
After each team had a scoreless possession on their first drive, Langston began pushing deep into Pioneer territory on their second drive. The Pioneers held the Lions to a fourth down and goal from the WBU 20-yard line, and the Lion drive stalled after freshman defensive lineman,
Nicholas Goins, sacked the Lions quarterback to give the Pioneers the ball back.
On the following Pioneer possession, sophomore quarterback
Bryan Rhoder connected on a beautiful 43-yard touchdown pass to junior
Jasiah Barron as the time expired on the first quarter to give Wayland Baptist the 7-0 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Lions didn't let the Pioneers build off their momentum of scoring first as they answered with a touchdown of their own to even the score up at 7-7. After each team had a couple scoreless possessions, the Lions would strike just before halftime with another touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. The Lions 14-7 lead is how the score would stand heading into the halftime intermission.
Langston received the opening kickoff of the second half and pushed it down the field for a five play, 75-yard touchdown scoring drive to take a 21-7 lead over the Pioneers. The score would remain 21-7 for the remainder of the third quarter.
The Pioneers opened the scoring in the fourth after senior
Bryan Ponder completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to
Jaylen Reed to make it 21-14, Lions, with just over ten minutes left in regulation.
The Pioneer defense made a crucial stop to get the football back for the WBU offense, and the offense would strike again as Ponder would connect with Barron for a 71-yard touchdown to make it 21-20 with just under two minutes left in the game.
The Pioneers decided to go for the lead with a two-point conversion, which was ultimately unsuccessful and kept the score at 21-20, Langston. The Lions would just need a first down to ice the game, and they would get it to sink the Pioneers, 21-20.
Coach Hinojos recapped today's game saying, "Although the loss is disappointing, the desire to win was evident throughout the entire game. We had a number of players that committed so much this game and all season.
Bryan Rhoder and
Bryan Ponder stepped up today to give their team a chance to win.
Jasiah Barron had another great game to finish the season as one of the best ever to do it at Wayland. Our OFF/DEF line improved so much this year and today came through in key moments."
Rhoder finished the game completing 9 of 20 passes for 104 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Rhoder also had 31 rushing yards on three attempts and a touchdown. Barron led the Pioneer receiving core with five receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, junior
Isaiah Brooks led the Pioneers with 11 total tackles including nine solo tackles. Jackson Lawdermilk finished with eight tackles, including one tackle for loss. Sophomore
Donovan Henry also finished with eight tackles.
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Isaiah Brooks and
Donovan Henry had another solid performance defensively.
Jaxon Lawdermilk was again all over the field making plays.
Dequan Green has been such an inspiration to his teammates and coaches," said Coach Hinojos.
Coach Hinojos continued, "We came here to win, and I had all the confidence in our offense and our staff to go for two for the win. In the end, 4 pts is the difference in 7-3 and 4-6. I am so proud of our team. The seniors that played their last game today are Warriors. They will forever be remembered as the group that turned this program around. We will miss their leadership."
