Diamondbacks open season with a win

The future didn’t look bright for the Pioneers during the first half.  Mental errors brought penalty yardage and called back plays.  The offense had four penalties during their second series and were deep in Pirate territory when they turned the ball over on a fumble.  The defense held Hidalgo to a 3 and out.  Finally, fullback Salvador Gonzalez scored on a short run.

But during the second quarter, the jitters began to fall away and the Pioneers scored again on a run by quarterback Alejandro Ramirez, but the PAT failed.   Hidalgo fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and Gonzalez scored again.  A field goal by Leo Rios as time ran out ended the first half with the score 22-0.

The second half was much quieter as Hidalgo struggled against the swarming Diamondback defense.  By mid-fourth quarter, head coach Jason Wheeler emptied the benches and that brought on the only Pirate score.

The Diamondbacks begin their second season with a 24-6 home win over Hidalgo.