The Pioneer Panthers varsity football team has another shot at winning the Section VI Class B championship, but this year they can write a different ending to a familiar story.
The host Panthers defeated South Park, 42-22, on Nov. 3, in the Class B semifinal. The win means a trip to the Highmark Stadium finals for a second straight year for Coach Jim Duprey and his squad.
A year ago, the Panthers lost to Iroquois in the final. This year's opponent is Health Sciences/Global Concepts, and the game is Friday, Nov. 10, at 4:15 p.m. Tickets are available at Pioneer High School or at the gate.
Pioneer (9-1) is riding a six-game winning streak. The championship game is a chance for the Panthers to avenge their only loss of the season, 26-18, to Health Sciences, in Week 4.
In the game against South Park, the Sparks' Noah Willoughby wasted no time in setting the Section VI career all-time passing yards record with a first-quarter completion. But they had no answer for the Panthers' offense, led by senior Dalton Giboo's 309 rushing yards.