Pioneers are champs again

PIERZ -- Christian Even rushed for 186 yards and four touchdowns to help the fifth-ranked Pierz Pioneers to a 35-28 upset victory over third-ranked and previously unbeaten Eden Valley-Watkins Wednesday.

The victory gives Pierz a share of the Central Minnesota Conference title. Justin Bender added a nine-yard interception return for a touchdown for Pierz.

Warren Gall tallied 193 yards on 23 carries. He also caught a pass for 10 yards.

Eden Valley-Watkins 7 7 7 7 -- 28

Pierz 7 0 28 0 -- 35

First quarter

P-- Christian Even 51 run (Jeremy Monson kick) 2:48

EV-W-- Jake Kramer 35 pass from Shane Henfling (Jeff Haag kick) :35

Second quarter

EV-W-- Henfling 1 run (Haag kick) :29

Third quarter

P-- Even 7 run (Monson kick) 9:22

P-- Even 40 run (Monson kick) 6:34

P-- Justin Bednar 9 interception return (Monson kick) 5:04

EV-W-- Henfling 1 run (Haag kick) 1:39

P-- Even 59 run (Monson kick) :42

Fourth quarter

EV-W-- Nathan Schoenecker 58 pass from Henfling (Haag kick) 8:34

Team statistics

Rushes-yards -- P46-393; EVW 30-60

Pass comp-att-int-yards -- P4-11-0-43; EVW 14-28-3-247

Total offense -- P 436; EVW 307

Individual statistics

Rushing -- P-Warren Gall 23-193, Even 16-186, Nick Gruber 2-17

Passing -- P-Mike Pohlkamp 4-11-43

Receiving -- P-Preston Loidolt 2-21, Even 1-12, Gall 1-10

Conference -- P 6-1, EVW 6-1. Overall -- P 6-2, EVW 7-1. Next game -- Pierz vs. Pine River-Backus in Section 8, Class 2A quarterfinals 7 p.m. Tuesday.