Diamondbacks Dominate Both Sides of the Ball in Victory Over Edinburg North

With a month until their first district game, the Pioneer Diamondbacks are already looking like a stand-out team. Led by quarterback William Goodloe, the Diamondbacks showcased their offensive firepower and defensive grit in a 31-14 win over Edinburg North.

Goodloe, a former receiver, showed poise and command at the quarterback position. On the Diamondbacks’ opening drive, he hit Matthew Maldonado with a 35-yard strike that set Pioneer up at the Cougars’ 10-yard line. Goodloe followed up by weaving his way through the defense for a 10-yard touchdown run, capping a 7-play, 62-yard drive.

The connection between Goodloe and Maldonado proved deadly for Edinburg North’s defense. Later in the first half, Goodloe found Maldonado again, this time for a 68-yard touchdown pass. Despite tight coverage, Maldonado broke free in a one-on-one matchup, outrunning his defender for the score.

On the other side of the ball, the Diamondbacks’ defense rose to the occasion. Although the Cougars put pressure on Pioneer throughout the game, the defense refused to crack. Led by cornerback Evan Rodriguez, who made a crucial goal-line stop on fourth down, the Diamondbacks halted a 15-play, 78-yard drive that could have given Edinburg North a 14-13 lead.

While the Cougars’ standout player, Osmar Alanis, managed to tie the game at 7 with a 66-yard jet sweep, the Diamondbacks quickly regained control. Alanis was a consistent playmaker for Edinburg North, returning kicks and finding gaps in Pioneer’s defense. Despite his efforts, the Diamondbacks’ defense made key fourth-down stops and limited the Cougars' scoring opportunities.

In the end, Pioneer’s balanced attack on both sides of the ball was too much for Edinburg North to handle. The Diamondbacks closed out the game with a 31-14 victory, moving one step closer to district play with confidence.