Gallery: (9-28-2024) Football vs Louisiana Christian
Plainview – The Pioneers opened their 2024 Home schedule with a massive victory over a tough Louisiana Christian team, 49-44, to move to 2-1 in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
Wayland Baptist (2-2, 2-1 SAC) received the opening kickoff of this afternoon's contest and manufactured a beautiful 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive that saw a 26-yard completion to
Jasiah Barron, and a nine-yard
Davian Guajardo touchdown run to put the Pioneers up 7-0.
Louisiana Christian began the second quarter in possession of the ball and immediately responded after a 22-yard run to the Pioneer two-yard line set up a Wildcat touchdown to tie the game up at 7. After a Pioneer three-and-out, the Wildcats struck again – this time for a 43-yard touchdown to make it a 14-7 game.
Things seemed grim for the Pioneers after another three-and-out, but the Wildcats couldn't come down with the punt and Pioneer senior
Tanner Ballew recovered the fumble deep in Wildcat territory to give the Pioneers some life. On the first play of the Pioneer's possession, Guajardo dropped a 27-yard dime to
Damon Ford for a Pioneer touchdown, tying the game up at 14.
The Pioneers fell behind 21-14 with 2:11 left in the second quarter, but the offense showed solid poise while managing the final two minutes of the first half. Guajardo threw a great pass to
Jasiah Barron that got the Pioneers down to the Wildcat one-yard line, which set up
Marques Hall running it in for the touchdown to tie the game up at 21 heading into the halftime break.
Louisiana Christian opened the second half with the ball and immediately started pushing the offense down the field. The Wildcat opening second half drive would stall after Pioneer freshman
Tyrone Morgan intercepted the pass to give WBU the ball with a chance to re-take the lead.
Junior running back
Keamodre Horace had a strong start to the second half, carrying the ball three times for 38-yards including a 21-yard touchdown run that put the Pioneers up 28-21midway through the third quarter.
The Wildcats were pushing deep into Pioneer territory once again, but freshman defensive back
Charles Bell went up and made a huge interception on the WBU two-yard line to give the Pioneers the ball back with a chance to take command of this game.
The Pioneer defense made a massive fourth down stop on their own six-yard line to force a turnover on downs, and the Pioneers capitalized instantly. The next Pioneer offensive possession would last one play after
Damon Ford took a 94-yard reception to the house for six, giving Wayland Baptist the 35-21 near the end of the third quarter.
Horace broke off another huge gain to begin the fourth quarter, this time being 60 yards to the endzone for another Pioneer touchdown to push their advantage to 42-21. The following Pioneer offensive possession, Horace erupted for his third touchdown of 20 or more yards on the afternoon with this one being a 24-yard house call to extend the Pioneer lead to 49-21 with just over nine minutes remaining.
Louisiana Christian was able to capitalize on some deep throw opportunities down the stretch that ended in touchdowns, but the Pioneers would end the game in victory formation and defeat the Wildcats 49-44.
Guajardo finished 12-25 for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 30 yards on the ground. Horace paced the Pioneer run game with 13 carries for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Ford also dominated on the ground finishing with 13 carries for 75 yards, and also four receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, junior
Isaiah Brooks had a monster game. He finished with 11 total tackles including seven solo tackles, four tackles for loss, and a sack. Freshman
Tyrone Morgan was outstanding this afternoon – finishing with 11 total tackles, an interception, and three pass break ups. Sophomore
Jaxon Lawdermilk finished with 8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.
Kaleb Brooks added six total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
As a team, the Pioneers recorded 549 total yards of offense, 273 rushing yards, and 276 yards through the air.
The Pioneers return to action next week when they host
RV Ottawa University (AZ) at Bulldog Stadium in Plainview, Texas. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
