MNU came out on top in a 93-point shootout at Culver-Stockton on Saturday. The Pioneers won 52-41 in the season opener.
The Pioneers scored on a
Javon Taylor 20-yard touchdown on the opening drive, but the PAT failed and Culver ran back the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. MNU took the lead in the 2nd quarter when
Drake Tofi scored from 3 yards out on 4th down to take a 13-7 lead, and increased the lead to 20-7 with a
Trey Cooper to
Dylan Meyers 8-yard pass. The score was 20-7 at halftime.
Culver got back in the game early in the 2nd half with a 4-play 83-yard touchdown drive, but the Pioneers answered immediately.
Trey Cooper found
Drake Tofi for a 60-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the next drive, and the shootout was on. Culver drove for a touchdown to get within 6, but MNU scored again to go up 33-21. The Pioneers got a stop when
Armani Willie intercepted a Wildcat pass, and the 3rd quarter ended with MNU leading by 12.
Drake Tofi scored again to open the 4th, and Culver used 3 big plays to go 77 yards for a touchdown.
Cristian Casillas nailed a 44-yard field goal to go up 42-27, but the Wildcats answered with a big kickoff return and quick touchdown to trim the deficit to 8. The play of the game happened on the ensuing drive. MNU faced a 3rd and 10 from their own 18 when
Brian Marty cut loose a long pass to
Jamain Lang. Lang made the catch and ran all the way to the end zone to give the Pioneers a 52-34 lead with 7 minutes remaining. Culver managed a late touchdown, but the Pioneers held on to win by 11.
"This is a growing team and they did a good job staying the course and finishing the game with a win," said head coach
Brian Willmer. "We had too many penalties and points given up by the defense, which I will fix as Defensive Coordinator. Culver-Stockton played a good game against us and it revealed a number of areas we need to fix as we prepare for William Penn next week.
Drake Tofi did a great job playing both strong safety and running back. I was also impressed with
Dalton Inlow and his punt returns."
Trey Cooper was 12-15 for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jamain Lang caught 3 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.
Javon Taylor rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown. And
Drake Tofi had 94 total yards and 4 touchdowns.
Ryan Huerta had 8 tackles and a forced fumble.
Armani Willie recorded an interception. And
Jojo Bones,
Roy Dennis (2),
Drake Tofi, and Joran Reed had sacks.
MNU is 1-0. The next game is Saturday at home (Olathe District Activities Center) vs. William Penn (0-1) at 11am.
