The Mustangs, in vintage Pioneer fashion, took a 21-0 first-half lead and they appeared ready to shake the effects of a disappointing 41-36 loss to Oak Grove a week earlier.

But there would be no victory celebration for the Mustangs on this Saturday afternoon. Piedmont Hills fought back from the 21-0 deficit to pull out a 25-21 win under a hot October sun.

"It was really a frustrating day for all of us," said Pioneer coach Mark Krail. "We just kept shooting ourselves in the foot. It was just a sloppy game."

The Mustangs had a bad snap on a punt attempt, fumbled the ball away twice and threw two interceptions—one of them in the final minutes of the game after driving to the Piedmont 10-yard line.

The loss dropped Pioneer to 5-2 for the year and to 2-2 in the Mt. Hamilton Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League. The Mustangs will try to get back on the winning track this week when they host Santa Teresa in a league game on Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m.

"Santa Teresa is one of those teams we seem to battle with every year," said Krail. "They'll come out going for us."

"But this week is more about us mentally and emotionally coming back and playing a good football game," he added.

In addition to the turnovers, the Mustangs were flagged for eight penalties, two for unsportsmanlike conduct.

"We can't afford to do that," said the coach. "Every time it seemed like we started a drive first and 20."

That translated to a long day for the Pioneer defense, though the coach was pleased with the effort of that unit.

"Defensively, we played really well," said Krail. "We gave them three short fields in a matter of 10 minutes in the first half, and they could only get 10 points."

Unfortunately, the Mustangs ran just eight offensive plays in the third quarter, and on a hot day that was just too much for the defense.

"The defense was on the field forever in the second half," said Krail.

Sinan Dumlugol was literally on the field all day for the Mustangs. He starred defensively at middle linebacker, and he led the club offensively by rushing for 126 yards on nine carries. "He's just a warrior," said Krail of Dumlugol.

The coach also praised the work of defensive lineman Bryson Texeira.

It was the offense that got the Mustangs going early in the game, though.

Jeremy Landucci scored on a 5-yard run just over three minutes into the game, then scored on a 2-yard run with 1:38 left in the first quarter.

Junior quarterback Jared Koblis hit Carlos Moreno with a 14-yard TD toss just a couple of minute later, and after Earnesto Torrales third extra point kick, the Mustangs were up 21-0 with 10:15 left in the half.

But the Pirates came back with a touchdown and field goal before intermission, then scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a slim 22-21 lead. A fourth-quarter field goal by the Bucs closed out the scoring.

Dumlugol led the offensive attack with his 126 yards. Andrew Schulz carried four times for 46 yards and Landucci ran 13 times for 43 yards and the two scores.

Koblis hooked up on 8 of 20 passes for 84 yards, including the TD toss to Moreno. Schulz had three catches for 25 yards, Landucci snagged two passes for 26 and Eric Myatt had a couple of grabs for 19.

Junior linebacker Collin McCarthy led all Pioneer tacklers with 12 stops, including a quarterback sack. Texeira finished with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery and Ray Marcil and Danny Ventura were in on nine tackles apiece. Ventura also picked off a pass.

Paul Bocanegra was in on eight tackles for Pioneer and Dumlugol and Tron Hardy had five each. Steve Matos, Tino Hardy and Robbie Steinberg got in on four each.

Bobby Lopez, Richard Guerrero, Rolando Gomez, Jose Lopez, Anthony Alise and Justin Kaufmann were also in on tackles for the Mustangs.

Thursday, Oct. 30

Field Hockey—Monta Vista @ Leland, 2:45 p.m.

Boys Water Polo—Leland vs. Mt. Pleasant at Independence, 5 p.m.; Silver Creek vs. Pioneer at Willow Glen, 5 p.m.

Girls Water Polo—Leland @ Lincoln, 6 p.m.; Pioneer @ Willow Glen, 6 p.m.

Girls Volleyball—Pioneer @ Yerba Buena, 5 p.m.; Willow Glen @ Leland, 6 p.m.; Branham @ Oak Grove, 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 31

Field Hockey—Presentation @ Branham, 2:45 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Football—Prospect @ Branham, 1:30 p.m.; Santa Teresa @ Pioneer, 1:30 p.m.; Leland @ Westmont, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 3

Cross Country—Blossom Valley Athletic League finals, noon, Crystal Springs in Belmont.

Tuesday, Nov. 4

Field Hockey—Leland @ Saratoga, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Field Hockey—San Jose @ Branham, 2:45 p.m.

Girls Volleyball—James Lick @ Pioneer, 5 p.m.; Willow Glen @ Branham, 6 p.m.; Leland @ Piedmont Hills, 6 p.m.