[Previous entry: "Rough Riders pull out OT win in front of NFL coach"] [Next entry: "Defense Solid in Win"]

11/30/2006: "Stampede move into first place"

Stampede move into first place
BY ANDY GREDER
NEWS TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Justin Hayworth/News Tribune
Superior’s Kevin Guillory breaks away from the Midwest Pioneers defense on a run in the second half Saturday in Superior. The Stampede won 24-10.
More photosAfter two early season losses, the Superior Stampede were 2-2 and looking like a nomadic herd.

Wins in consecutive weeks, including Saturday's 24-10 win over the Midwest Pioneers at Ole Haugsrud Field in Superior, has the Stampede leading the Mid-America Football League pack.

The Pioneers of Mounds View, Minn., were 4-0 in league play entering Saturday's game with the Stampede at 3-1.

"This is a big win," said quarterback Michael Spriggs, who had 78 total yards and a touchdown. "This win puts us in the driver's seat."

The Stampede (4-2) took a 7-0 lead with a 10-play, 67-yard opening drive capped by Spriggs' 9-yard touchdown run.

"Last week, we were stale and an early drive like that was a good statement," Spriggs said.

Joe Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the Stampede 3. After a goal-line stand, the Stampede forced a 25-yard field goal by Freddie Weinke.

Pioneers running back Brian Holmes tested a Stampede defense that had allowed only 25 yards per contest. Holmes rushed for 79 yards in the first half, but two missed field goals left the halftime score at 7-3.

"At halftime I told (Spriggs and running back Kevin Guillory) that they needed to put the guys on their backs," Stampede coach Terry Fawcett said.

The Stampede's first possession of the second half was similar to the one that began the game. Spriggs' 13-yard first down scramble set up a 37-yard Ryan Rodriguez field goal.

Guillory rushed for 127 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, with the majority of the numbers coming after halftime.

"In the second half we went back to basics," Spriggs said. "We went to (Guillory) a lot and playmakers make plays."

Guillory had two 19-yard runs before he scored from 3 yards out with 9:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Less than a minute later, Holmes fumbled at the Pioneers 22 and linebacker Michael Williams picked it up and raced down the sideline to make the score 24-3.

Immediately, Spriggs and Guillory took off their pads and enjoyed the win.

"Last year we didn't have enough great players, and we added some players to go from good to great this year," Fawcett said.

Williams played for the Iron Range Hitmen last year and Spriggs came from the Duluth-Superior Shoremen.

"(Spriggs') got the credentials," Fawcett said of his quarterback that has played in the National Indoor Football League and Arena Football 2. "He put the team on his back and showed he was a great one today."

The Pioneers (5-2) were stalled most of the second half and three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties set up a first-and-40 to foil one drive.

"They are a heck of a team and there are no excuses," Pioneers coach Nate Heiser said. "A forfeit last week (to the Minnesota Valley Warriors) hurt us and we were out of sync in the first half."

Linebackers Nick Farrell had 13 tackles and Dan Turcotte Jr. had 11 tackles as the Stampede held Holmes to 29 second-half rushing yards.

Pioneers quarterback Paul Ciochetto completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Damien Rachon-Washington with less than a minute to play.

"We are in first place now and if we win out, we should be in good position," Fawcett said.

The Twin Cities Titans come to Superior next Saturday before the Stampede close the regular season with games at the Iowa Threshers and the Minneapolis Lumberjacks.


Midwest Pioneers 3 0 0 7 --10
Superior Stampede 7 0 3 14--24

S -- Michael Spriggs 9 run (Ryan Rodriguez kick)

M -- Freddie Weinke 25 field goal

S -- Rodriguez 37 field goal

S -- Kevin Guillory 3 run (Rodriquez kick)

S -- Michael Williams 22 fumble return

M -- Damien Rachon-Washington 15 pass from Paul Ciochetto (Weinke kick)