Big Sandy welcomes high-powered Savage

The Big Sandy Pioneers football team has been a near unstoppable machine this season. And closing in on the state championship game, the Pioneers will hope to continue their success on Saturday.

Saturday in Big Sandy, the Northern C Pioneers (9-1) will host the Eastern C Savage Warriors (9-1) in a Class C Six-Man semifinal matchup. The Pioneers will kickoff at 1 p.m.

The Pioneers are one win away from making an appearance in the state championship game. But to get there they will have to go through a very tough Warriors team who has excelled in the playoffs.

Savage has earned two big wins this postseason. In the first round the Warriors defeated Lima 71-6, and just last weekend, in the second round, the Warriors earned a 62-36 win over Great Falls Central.

But the Pioneers have rolled through this postseason as well.

In the first round they defeated Stanford/Geyser 48-21, and last weekend the got another big win over Richey/Lambert 39-0.

This Saturday's contest has the makings of an offensive shootout. If the defenses don't show up, both teams have the talent and skill on the offensive side of the ball to put up points in a hurry. But after coming off of shutout win, the Pioneer defense should be primed to have another good performance.

Last Saturday the Pioneer defense also stepped up.

Big Sandy's defense forced the Richey/Lambert to punt the ball two times, as well as turn the ball over on downs three times. The Pioneers also came up with two fumbles and an interception.

And on offense, the Pioneers will look to get the same consistent production they have seen all season long.

Quarterback Trevor Lackner has looked good all season, as has running back Ryan Miller. In their last game, Lackner had two touchdown passes, while Miller had three rushing touchdowns.

A lot of the Pioneers' success has come from both the offensive and defensive lines. They have blocked well on both sides of the ball, opening the door for miller on offense, and closing it on the opposing running backs and quarterbacks on defense. And to be successful this weekend, against another high-octane offense, the Pioneers' line has to have an outstanding game.

The Pioneers will play host to Savage on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Big Sandy in semifinal action.