Pioneer's Flag Football team can add another achievement to its growing list of accolades: Section VI champions.
The Panthers defeated Fredonia, 26-12, at Highmark Stadium on May 20, earning the right to represent the section in the new tier of state playoffs added to the sport this year.
The timing is appropriate, since Pioneer is in only its second year of flag football.
The Panthers (16-0) are unbeaten this season, and will move on to the Far West Regionals on Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 a.m. The opponent from Section V has yet to be announced. The game will be played at Sweet Home High School, site of Pioneer's 27-7 win on May 18 over Grand Island.
Pioneer is led by Coach Chris Edwards, along with Addie Edwards, Pat Souder and Lissa Landahl.
The Panthers are 25-1 over their first two seasons. "The team this year has continued to build off of last year's success," Edwards said. "The girls are so committed to the things we are doing outside of practice, like lifting weights and studying film. The girls truly believe in each other and play for each other, and it shows on the field.
"No one cares who is getting the attention or the stats. They only care about getting the win," he added.
There's no telling how far a dominant Panther team can go in the playoffs. "We will take it game by game but this team has limitless potential," Edwards added.
The community is getting on the bandwagon, too. The team bus was led out of town by a police escort as it left for Highmark Stadium.