Big Plays Lead Pioneers Past Spartans

By Justin Slager, OHS Torch Reporter

The Olympia Spartans football team traveled to Normal last Friday night to face the University High Pioneers at Hancock Stadium; University High prevailed in the game with big plays 29-14.

The University High Pioneers were led Friday night by senior running back Jo Jo Hughes who rushed for three touchdowns with 205 yards on 30 carries. Hughes also threw for a touchdown pass on Friday night for his fourth touchdown.

The Spartans (1-5, 0-5) were led by senior quarterback, Collin Miller, who completed 16 passes for 161 yards and two scores. The touchdown passes were caught by Justin Slager and Levi Neison.

The Pioneers got the ball to start the game and marched down the field scoring a touchdown. Then with their next possession the Pioneers added a field goal to jump up to a 9-0 lead. The Spartans answered with forcing a safety that brought the scoring to a 9-2 advantage for the Pioneers.

As the first half drew to a close the Spartans were down just one score at 16-8. The Spartans received the kick to start the second half and moved the ball down the field but the Pioneers defense held them out of the end zone and forced a missed field goal attempt.

The second half saw more big plays for the Pioneers who jumped to a 29-8 advantage before Miller completed a pass of 48-yards to Neison cutting the lead to 29-14. The Spartans onside kick was then recovered by University High who was able to hang on and win 29-14.

 Senior lineman, TJ Peters, said, “I believed the game went well. We played better tonight just a few big plays went the other way.”

The Spartans will head home this week to face Pontiac (4-2, 4-1). Game time is 7pm at Olympia High School. All stats were provided by the Pantagraph.