SK 49 Butler 7

I couldn't wait to get off of work tonight but I had one problem, I had no idea if the game was starting at 7pm. The Enquirer had no time listed, KHSAA had the game listed at 7pm, another website said 730pm so I show up at 655pm and had to run from Kenton Elementary just to see the opening kickoff. SK took the opening kickoff and had to settle on punting back to the Bears. The SK defense held their opponent and proceeded to drive down the field and had a first down on the Bears' four yard line. Three running plays later and SK faced a 4th and one from the one yard line. At that point I whispered to my buddy, it's going to be a pass (honestly I was just being sarcastic), next thing you know Lawrence is rolling out to the left and he spots a wide open D.J. Rabe for a TD. That was a gutsy call but this team has guts. On Butler's next drive they were very efficient and scored on a TD pass to tie the game. The fans may have been tight after witnessing that drive but the Neers weren't phased. Just like almost every other game this season, SK then went on to score 42 unanswered points. Miles ran 25 times for 217 yds and four scores. Lawrence had another solid game passing for two scores and keeping the defense honest while making some clutch runs. The defense was all over the field, playing aggressively and showing the fans from Louisville that this team is more than #30. Next week the Neers face the best 5-6 team in the state in DuPont Manual. I hope to see every familiar face from Independence inside the gates of Chlorine B Menifee Stadium, SK's biggest home game ever, show your Pioneer Pride, we are no longer the prey, we are the predator. GO SK.

Final Regular Season Football Game

SK took to the field for the first time in several years for a game with cross county rival Scott. The Eagles were celebrating their senior night and came out all kinds of fired up. The SK coaching staff must have felt like they were watching a bad horror flick as the Pioneers struggled to get on track on offense and defense. The high powered offense struggled with penalties and a lack of production while the defense allowed Scott to move the ball. The score at the end of the first quarter was tied at zip. The entire team huddled at the end of the first quarter and got a good talking to. They woke up in the second quarter and started scoring and moving the ball. Miles was not ripping off his 70 plus yard runs we have seen in recent weeks but he was picking up nice gains and more importantly, wearing out and punishing the Scott defense. While Scott did not score during the game, they did move the ball at times out of their single wing offense

SK did go on to a 50-0 final score, it definitely was not their best effort of the season.

The Pioneers will host Louisville Butler next Friday night in a playoff game at Meneffee Stadium. Congrats on a great regular season. The real season is about to begin.

Zach Kaiser tries to bring down Sowder from Scott.


The Scott defender tries to strip the ball from Miles; Nope


Ryan Winkler with a nice run carrying much of the Scott defense.

District Champs

Tonight history was made, SK won their first district title in school history after defeating the Campbell County Camels 49-14. I'm sure coach Marsberry's team has plenty of goals for 2009 and I know that winning the district is one of them. The Neers opened the game with a dominating drive, culminating with an Austin Baldwin TD run but failed to convert on their two point attempt. The Camels and their pass first, pass 2nd, pass 3rd offense then proceeded to match SK and then converted their PAT to take a 7-6 lead. It didn't matter, SK then went on to score the next 43 points. On a field that resembled the everglades, Chad Lawrence, Miles Simpson, Nick Brown and the other SK offensive players dominated the run game. If you want to hear an impressive stat I have one, Simon Kenton’s first five possessions accounted for 35 points and 354 yards in just 29 plays and 10 minutes, 17 seconds. One thing is certain two people have work to do, the bus driver and the person who does the laundry, those white uniforms need one more good cleaning since we have a road game against Scott next week. I have to say I was touched to see #50 Derek Piccirillo at the game, I heard him have a conversation with Nick Repka, he said Nick didn't tell him not to be there but he also didn't expect him to make the game. Pic then said the Dr told him to rest but there was no way he wasn't going to support his boys. Many of the players had the five-oh written on their faces for their fallen teammate showing their unification. I didn't get to see the team don their district championship t-shirts but I'm sure the celebration was sweet. One more game to complete the regular season, next friday in Taylor Mill, no doubt the SK train will be ready to cap a one loss regular season, then on to the 2nd season. Congratulations boys, I've been around the program all my life and though I hoped I would see this day, I also thought it may not ever happen after seasons of mediocrity and some much lower than that. I am so proud of this team yet I know none of you. Keep the desire, still plenty of goals to meet, nine games down, six to go.

J. Stark Contributor

Tough Loss for Lady Neers in Regional Final

The 9th Region Girl’s soccer final took place tonight as SK hosted St. Henry in a rematch of last year’s final. St. Henry entered the game 19-1 and was a favorite against the home field Pioneers. The Cru had beaten SK in the first game of the season by a score of 3-0. Someone forgot to tell SK they were the u-dog as the Pioneers popped St. Henry in the nose and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first five minutes of the match on the strength of two Ali Ponzer goals. Ponzer blew by the defense on a breakaway for her first goal. Her second goal game on a ball from the left side that the Crusader keeper apparently thought was going to be a cross. The Pioneers played tough throughout the half but unfortunately St. Henry would even the score before half-time.

The Pioneers came out in the second half and continued their strong play. However, the passing game of St. Henry wore the Pioneers down. At about the 20 minute mark, it was apparent that the Lady Neers were beginning to see their tanks emptied. St. Henry pressured and SK didn’t have the same presence to push up the field that they had early in the game. St. Henry would score two goals for the final margin of 4-2.

Congratulations to the Lady Pioneers. They played a great game and had a fantastic season. Their post season run put them in the regional for the third year in a row and definitely cemented their place as one of the top teams in Northern Kentucky.

Lady Pioneers Win in Regional Soccer Semi

The Lady Pioneers were hosts tonight for 9th Region tournament action. The Pioneers took to the field in the night cap in action versus the Boone County Rebels. SK comes out on top 4-1 in a game that went overtime. Although the Pioneers won by 3 goals, the game was obviously much closer than that final score.

Both teams were able to get on the board with single goals on the first half. SK actually controlled the ball for most of the half but Boone took momentum to half time after getting the tying goal before half-time off of a direct free kick just outside the box.

The game took on a defensive tone in the second half and overtime as the keepers, Ashley Repka for SK and Diana Perez for Boone, made awesome save after awesome save. SK would finally break the tie when Chelsea Landrum sent a ball in from the left side of the box. The Boone keeper came up with the ball but not before the momentum took her across the goal line after being pressured by Jessie Cooper. After the referees consulted with each other, the signal was for a goal. The Pioneers got an insurance goal after Aly Ponzer sent a direct kick in from just outside the penalty area. Ponzer scored right after a Boone player was sent off for an apparent intentional hand ball that denied an obvious goal. In my opinion, a tough call in a regional semifinal game. SK got the final goal off of a corner kick after a ball that ricocheted off several Pioneers found its way over the goal line. The game ended with a flurry of yellow cards and a SK player also being sent off. Again, a tough call in a regional semifinal game.

During the course of the game, SK used many more substitutions than Boone. Was it a difference in the game? Hard to say, but when a team has just played its guts out for 80 minutes and has to go another 20 minutes, I like the chances of the team that has subbed more.

I congratulate Boone on a strong effort and wish SK good luck in the regional final. In the end, both teams left everything they had on the field and it truly was one of those contests where you hate to see either team lose. I only wish there could have been as much sportsmanship left in the stands. Too bad because the game deserved better.

The Lady Neers will take on St. Henry on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Regional Final that is a repeat of last year’s final. This will mark SK’s third straight appearance in the regional final. Good Luck Girls!

Finally, here are the official rules where there are plays that result in a player being sent off.

A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences:
1. is guilty of serious foul play
2. is guilty of violent conduct
3. spits at an opponent or any other person
4. denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
5. denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
6. uses offensive or insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
7. receives a second caution in the same match.

Friday Night Feats Voting!

Miles Simpson had a video nominated for the State Farm Friday Night Feats. Click on this link and vote on the stars. Click the first star from the right to make it a 5 star rating. Vote and SK could win some nice coinage if the video gets enough votes. Forward this to your friends and fam.
http://www.youtube.com/fridaynightfeats#p/c/232EC871CF8E5598/43/YMY408hPpCA

SK Football and Girls Soccer Win Big

It was a busy sports night for SK Friday. The girls played against Dixie in the finals of the District 18 tournament. SK gained control of the game, held more possession and cruised to a 4-1 victory to claim their 3rd straight title in District play.

The football team traveled to Boone for a District match-up with the Rebels. I really don’t know what to say about this game. I had a feeling SK could win by a large margin but I am had no idea it would be such a shellacking. This one was over as soon as SK got the ball on the coin flip. Miles Simpson would take the game’s first offensive play to the house and SK never looked back as they romped by a final score of 63-21. The Pioneers had a whopping 56 spot on the board at half-time as Simpson rushed for 5 touchdowns. One of his toughest plays might have come on a pass play. Simpson ran by several Boone defenders, made a couple miss. When it looked like he was going to score, a Boone player decided to take him. Not good; the Boone County player was sent backwards. Miles would score a couple of plays later. Nick Brown made a couple of nice plays to end up with a TD. Brown kicked a nice punt down to the Boone County 5 yard line. The SK defense held and Boone had to punt. As the Boone punter sent the ball off of his foot, Brown dove for the ball, blocked a punt and fell on the football for a TD. SK just keeps rolling on.

Jessie Cooper was back in the line-up after sitting out with injuries the last several games.


This was the scene from Florence. Miles running through and past the Boone defense.

Boys Soccer Season Comes to Cold Ending

The SK boys soccer team came to an end tonight at the hands of the Scott Eagles in a cold and blustery night at Dixie Heights in the semifinals of the 18th District tourney. The final score from Dixie was 5-0. After winning an emotional game on Monday night, it was apparent early on that it was not going to be the Pioneers night as Scott scored two goals in the first two minutes of the match and their third with 27 minutes left in the half.

Congratulations to all of the seniors on fine high school soccer careers.

Way too much action for Sam Benner early in the match.

Lady Pioneers Win District Opener

The Lady Pioneers took their turn in the 18th District Tourney tonight at Dixie against the pesky Blue Lightning from Villa Madonna. This is the third year in a row that SK has faced Villa in their opening round of districts. It was apparent early on that this game was going to resemble some of the two team’s prior matches. SK got all kinds of pressure on the Villa defense. Hannah Stephenson had a one on one with the keeper and was getting ready to shoot when the Villa sweeper came from nowhere and knocked the ball to the side. The Lady Pioneers would notch the match’s first score with just under 17 minutes to go in the first half when Aris Kuntz rifled a nice shot into the left side of the net. SK would maintain that lead through half-time.

The second half looked very much like the first half. SK with pressure and shots and Villa unable to get much going yet they were in the game. The Pioneers would get their second goal of the game when Jill Russell controlled the ball through the midfield and was able to play a ball to Hannah Stephenson who waas able to score. There was a brief discussion between the referees about whether Stephenson was offside but the referees signaled that the goal was good and the deuce went up on the scoreboard. Lady Pioneers win 2-0 and secure a spot in the regional tournament and District Final on Friday night at 6:00.

Impressions: When SK moved the ball with their short passing possession game, they scored or put more pressure on the Villa defense. The SK defense played very well. Kelsey Russell, Kennedy Vercheak, Allysa Carmony, Shelby Meier and Ashley Repka were rarely pressured. Repka touched the ball less than 5 times between the posts.

Finally, please keep Ali Ponzer in your prayers. She left the game early in the first half after her shot ricocheted and hit her in the cheek and eye area. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Get Well Soon Ali!

Aris Kuntz in a battle.


Kelsey Able goes up to win this ball.


Jill Russell also getting up for this ball.


In the first pic, Hannah Stephenson scores the second goal. In the second picture, Hannah whistled for a foul against the keeper.



C. Landrum with a nice game and a couple of near scores.


Shelby with her best MJ


SK's #1 Soccer Fan!

PIONEERS WITH WIN UP IN DIXIE!

It is kind of hard to believe but it is actually District Tourney time for soccer. The boys took Louie’s bus up Route 17 to Dixie Heights for opening round action. The boys entered the game tonight with a final regular season record of 3-14-1 and 0-4 in 18th District play. On paper, you would have to say it didn’t look good. However, Coach Wolfe always has his boys ready for tourney time and tonight was no exception.

The Pioneers came out and seemed to have extra jets in their boots. Both teams had chances early. SK actually tagged the cross bar on one shot but failed to score. With 15 minutes in the first half, Dixie took a direct free kick just outside the box. SK cleared the ball but it was sent back across the field by a Dixie player. Another shot later in Dixe had the first score of the game. The score would hold up that way until half-time.

The Pioneers came out in the second half and WHAM. Tanner O’Hara took a cross (not sure who from), brought it down with a half volley and drilled a shot in the first minute of the half. They team erupted with excitement and emotion. O’Hara went nuts as he was a blue blur as he ran around looking for someone to tackle. Sam Benner ended up taking on the leaping O’Hara. The Pioneers would take the lead when Tyler Ellison took a ball that Eric Schadler took deep into the corner with a Dixie defender. Ellison came out with the ball, broke free from the right side of the box. Ellison had a collision with the keeper and the ball bounced out of the 6 yard box. The ball was then sent back into the box and Ellison knocked the ball across the goal line for the score. SK takes a 2-1 lead but there was still a lot of time left in the match. The Pioneers started losing some composure that got them the lead and they started ringing up fouls. It suddenly felt like things were starting to slip away as Dixie scored on a PK to even the match at 2-2. There were several anxious moments during the last several moments for the Pioneers as senior keeper Sam Benner had a couple of key saves. The Pioneers were kind of on their heels and kind of looked out of gas. Bring on more match time.

District overtime is two 10 minute periods. If there is still a tie, then the teams go to sudden death. SK must have hit the energy drinks before they took to the overtime period because they didn't look like the same team that ended the second half. They instantly got pressure going on the Dixie defense. Cody Hutchins sent the ball in the box and Cody Herald shot and scored. SK got an insurance goal when T. O’Hara carried the ball down the left side, got off a beautiful cross that Ellison knocked in past the sliding Dixie keeper for his second goal. SK hangs on to win, 4-2.

The boys will play again on Wednesday at Dixie versus Scott at 6:00. The girls also play tomorrow night at Dixie versus Villa Madonna at 6:00. Good Luck to both teams!



Tyler Ellison gets up-ended in the first half.





Hutchins with a ball off the knoggin in the first half.


Kentrup takes a high kick that was called by pops but not the stripes.


Ellison reacts while mom cheers in the background.


O'Hara with a couple of goal celebrations...



Kentrup takes a shot on the knee. He was fine.


The rookie tries getting a shot in over the defender.


Hutchins in a tussle with the Dixie Keeper.


Pretty cool; Benner and the Dixie keeper congratulate each other. The thrill of victory and agony of defeat.


TK reclined on the track after the game. His dripping wet jersey left an impression on the surface.


The boys run across the field following the Win.

Lights, Cameras, Action, Rain....Pioneers Romp

It was flat out nasty at Meneffee Stadium tonight as Ryle visited SK for a 6A clash. No, not just the weather but the one two punch of the SK offense and defense. It was apparent from SK’s first possession on offense that it was going to be a long night for Ryle. I am not sure exactly what it was but it was almost like the driving rain in the beginning of the game suited the Pioneers while Ryle looked like they would have rather been home watching the game on Fox Sports Ohio. SK played smashmouth football on both sides of the ball. SK jumped out to a 22-0 lead after first half and cruised to a victory of by a 49-29 final.

Many of the expectations for this game centered around the offense for both teams. The SKoffense didn’t disappoint as the SK boys made big play after big play. Miles Simpson became SK’s all time leading rusher in the first half and ran almost effortlessly at times. As the SK cheerleaders tried to keep doing pushups for each one of the SK points on the board, Fox Sports Ohio’s Jeff Piecoro made the comment they were going to get tired. He was right as they resorted to jumping jacks in the second half. One of the best plays of the game for Simpson came in the third quarter. He went one way, switched directions, ran into Ryle defenders switched the other way, ran into Ryle defenders switched to the right and was gone. It was special to see.

While the SK offense was running on high octane, it was the SK defense that might have been most impressive tonight. Ryle came into the game putting up a lot of points on the board. However, the SK linebacking corps was in the Ryle backfield way more than Conner Hempel would have liked. Hempel was sacked and pressured time after time as SK’s Top Guns were flying across the turf. It looked like on Ryle’s first possession that someone had told the defense what play Ryle was going to run. About the only thing that Herbst’s D didn’t do was score.

It was a neat night on the SK campus. In spite of the rain, the atmosphere was really electric with the Fox Sports Ohio team on hand to broadcast the game. Satellite trucks, semi-trailers, cameras everywhere. I asked Pic what it took to broadcast the game. He indicated that there were 6 cameras and a crew totaling about 30 individuals. The SK campus looked great on camera and the football team didn’t disappoint the SK faithful that turned out to watch the game. Too bad the rain didn’t hold off but the SK boys sure didn’t seem to mind. Nice job.

Chad Lawrence carries for a long TD run.

Soccer Senior Night

It was senior night for the soccer teams at Meneffee Stadium tonight as the upcoming 2010 graduates were recognized at between the girls game and boys game. The girls beat Conner by a score of 5-0 on the strength of two goals from seniors Ali Ponzer and Katie Zapft. The boys dropped the nightcap by a final of 1-0 to Holy Cross. District play starts next week.

Katie Z avoids contact with the sliding Conner keeper. Katie scored two first half goals.

Shutout

The Pioneers traveled to Union last night to face the Cooper Jaguars and didn't disappoint thier fans, winning 62-0. I've been following SK football for quite some time, and can't remember the last time we held the opponent to double zeroes after forty-eight minutes of play, great job by the defense. SK's offense scored early and often while the defense also put six on teh board when Zach Carroll jumped a route and took it to the house from 41 yards. Leading the offensive attack was Miles Simpson, Miles tallied 222 yds on 15 carries and scored five touchdowns. The longest of the five put him at #2 on the all time list, a 90 yard jaunt. He tied the efforts of Alan Mullins and Craig "Nails" Cooper only trailing Tommy Reiman's 94 yard effort. By the end of the first quarter SK had built a twenty-nine point lead and by the end of quarter number two, SK's reserves were on the filea dn sK had a fifty point lead. Those reserves didn't just sit on the lead, they expanded it by scoring two touchdowns. DJ Rabe scampered for a sixteen yarder and late in the game the defense scored another six on a pick by Sean Travis. Another good night behind center for QB Chad Lawrence, he didn't turn the ball over, and on one drive completed a twenty-five yard pass on 4th and 10, and later tossing a TD to Ben Winkler. SK's defense was stout, harassing the Jags all evening long. SK was able to finish the game with no apparent injuries, they will need to be at full strength when they entertain the Ryle Raiders next week. Don't forget to mark your calendar, the game is on Thursday night, 7pm, Chlorine B. Menifee Stadium. Also don't forge to set your DVR, the game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Net, Channel 49 on your cable box. The winner of that game will be in the driver's seat for the #1 seed in the district, so expect a battle.

WOW!!!!

I was coming up Independence Parkway near the new UDF when I could see the glow of Meneffe Stadium in the distance. Ah yes, the Friday night lights reflecting off of the fog that gave me the feeling of strong anticipation for the game that had been circled on my calendar several weeks. Everyone remembers that the Pioneers and Conner played to thrilling finishes last year in the regular season and post season play and the two high powered offenses were expected to put up some fireworks.

About that time, I got a text message from a friend at the game. I got to the light at Harris Pike and the Parkway and looked down at my phone expecting to see that the Eers were already on the board. 14-0 Conner; What! That can’t be, I am not even there yet; It’s the Gold Star, Fox 19, Skyhigh, Tristate this and that and everyone’s featured game of the week. How can it be? Come on Bob, surely you are kidding...aren't you?

I parked in one of the last mud hole spots near the carp pond between SK and Kenton Elementary (did anyone else see that) and headed to the field. SK got a Miles touchdown as I was walking into the faciltiy. 14-6 after the conversion failed. I got to the sideline and there was definitely concern in the air, not panic but concern.

High hopes were rampant in southern Kenton County going into this season after last year’s miraculous run. The team took a loss against Henry Clay last week and SK really wasn't hitting on all cylinders during the first three games of the seaon in spite of the wins they posted. No problem tonight, SK hit the GO button with a mixture of offense that got the Conner defense off balance. Throw in a Chad Lawrence and another Simpson touchdown and SK is up going into half by a score of 21-14.

OK, now that’s the team everyone in the eastside stands has been waiting for. There was almost a positive arrogance building during the game where the boys started hitting and playing with a high energy level. Everyone was flying to the ball and as you could hear the pads poppin’. The defense was flat out stingy. Conner’s highly touted QB was running everywhere trying to get away from the Blue Swarm D that ended up with a couple of picks and sacks on the night. The offense was very balanced. Lawrence was throwing ropes to several SK receivers. The running game was on track and not only was Miles shredding the Conner defense but so did Nick Brown, who ripped off several nice runs, and Sage Powell who scored a rushing TD. SK scored almost at will in the second half. The Pioneers tallied 5 second half TD’s and zaps previously undefeated Conner by a final score of 56-14. Certainly not what the prognosticators leaning up against the fence in the corner were predicting.

Congratulations to Chris Repka who broke a school record for PAT’s.

Finally, there was one thing that I learned tonight. The two fastest people on the SK sideline are Miles Simpson and………….. Coach Herbst. In the fourth quarter, Conner completed a screen pass that the receiver broke for a big gainer. Miles made a nice tackle and kept the TD from happening at the 5 yard line. SK held Conner there on 4 plays. I caught a black streak out of the corner of my eye sprinting down the SK sideline, it was Coach Herbst throwing pumped fists into the air with each one of his strides. Good stuff.

What a stiff arm.


Chris Repka with the record breaking PAT.

Special Olympics Kentucky

I got this in email form from the Kentucky Special Olympics and wanted to pass it on...

"A three-year economic downturn has affected Special Olympics Kentucky’s fundraising to the point that the organization as had to take unprecedented measures. We had to let three full-time employees and one part-time employee go this past July/August. In addition, we have had to cut valuable programs such as MedFest and the annual Leadership Conference. More than anybody else, you know how much the SOKY staff and programs and services we offer mean to our athletes and what an important role Special Olympics plays in their lives!

This summer we were given a unique opportunity that could help shore up the program’s funding with the Dream Home Raffle and we are asking you to consider participating. Brought to us by the family of a Special Olympics athlete, the Dream Home Raffle hopes to give away a house, but at this point is most likely to be a high-return, split-the-pot (50/50) raffle.

Right now, in these difficult financial times, Special Olympics Kentucky needs your help both on the field and off. We are asking that you consider either buying or selling at least one ticket. Tickets can be purchased obviously by one person but can also be purchased by a group of people who all contribute money and the ticket can be in all of the names. You can purchase tickets on-line at www.soky.org/dreamhome or call our office. In Central Kentucky, you can purchase tickets at any Rector-Hayden Realty office or at The Coffee Pub on Harrodsburg Rd.

If you have any questions about the raffle or about buying and selling tickets, please contact Trish Mazzoni at 502-695-8222 or tmazzoni@soky.org "

Holy Melting Turf Rubber Batman!

The Lady Pioneers hosted the Holmes Bulldogs in a soccer match-up tonight at Meneffee Stadium. Flat, lacking energy, uninspiring; I don’t know, pick the adjective you want but however you want to describe it, SK just didn’t look good at all in the first half. I don’t want to take anything away from Holmes because they did what they needed to do in order to be right there at half-time as SK led by a score of 2-1.

With the half-time burgers smoking on the Wink party grill, it was apparent that the SK coaching staff didn’t like the effort of their team either as the team received a motivational speech that will likely resonate with the Pioneers for quite awhile. I’ve heard of peeling paint from the locker room but never melting the rubber in the turf. If you were there, you might have witnessed that tonight. Whatever was said, it worked. SK came out in second half and hit the skinny pedal on the right and never looked back as they put 6 second half goals on the board. SK ends up with 8 total goals; 3 from Katie Zapf, 2 from Shelby Meier, and one from Ali Ponzer, Amy Wing and Kelsey Able. Able and Ponzer also had two assists while Meier and Vercheak each added one.

Both teams suffered some injuries; Jill Russell left the game early in the first half with an ankle injury and Ashley Gregory from Holmes left with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Please be sure to keep both of these athletes in your prayers.

Sorry for the lack of pictures; I was busy in the press box filling in as the voice of the Pioneers.

"If you guys play good in the second half, we will be able to get a drink and snack after the game."