GENTRY — Though the Greenland Pirates tried to steal the game from the Pioneers in the fourth quarter, Gentry was able to hold off the late attack and salvage a 19-12 non-conference victory in Pioneer Stadium on Friday night.
The Pioneers struck first, picking up touchdowns in the first and second quarters and another in the third. Cole Cripps carried in a pass and Jon Faulkenberry and Myles Mcferron each ran one across the goal line for Gentry's three TDs.
Two first half attempts to make two-point conversions failed. Garrett Matthews kicked a point after in the third quarter.
But Greenland wasn't about to go down without a fight. The Pirates managed two touchdowns in the final quarter to narrow the gap.
Gentry had 260 rushing yards in the game on 49 carries. Faulkenberry connected to Cripps for 67 yards and a TD in the game.
Cripps punted in the game three times, averaging 40.7 yards per punt. Peyton Wright, a Gentry sophomore, picked up 11 yards in a kickoff return.
The Pioneers, now 2-1 overall, host the Pea Ridge Blackhawks in their first conference game of the season at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Sports on 09/21/2016