Pioneer bounces back, rolls past PSJA Southwest 34-10

PHARR — Pioneer head coach Eddie Galindo said sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback.

One week after being held to 10 points in a loss to Cigarroa, the Diamondbacks responded.

Senior quarterback Malakai Galindo threw three touchdown passes, Cole Scurlock scored twice and Pioneer’s defense kept the Javelina’s rushing attack under control in a 34-10 victory over PSJA Southwest on Thursday at PSJA Stadium.

The win moved Pioneer to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in District 16-5A Division II, while Southwest fell to 4-4 and 0-4 in district.

“Sometimes it takes a setback to make a comeback,” Eddie Galindo said. “I think they rebounded well. They worked hard. They had a positive attitude, and I was happy with the week of practice and I was happy with their performance tonight.”

Pioneer took control early.

PSJA Southwest opened the game with a long kickoff return by Eddie Morales that placed the Javelinas inside Pioneer territory, but the Diamondbacks stopped standout running back Raul Garza on fourth-and-1 to take over on downs.

Pioneer immediately turned the stop into points.

Malakai Galindo helped move the Diamondbacks downfield with his legs before taking advantage of an offsides free play and finding senior Trey De La Garza for the game’s first touchdown.

Scurlock followed with a 46-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter, giving Pioneer a 14-0 advantage.

The junior running back entered the night just shy of 1,000 rushing yards for the season and crossed the milestone during the first half. He added his second touchdown early in the second quarter as Pioneer stretched the lead to 21-0.

PSJA Southwest entered the game leaning heavily on Garza, who had already rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.

Pioneer made containing him its priority.

The Diamondbacks consistently crowded the line of scrimmage and limited Garza to short gains through much of the first half. Southwest did not earn its first offensive first down until midway through the second quarter.

The Javelinas eventually drove inside the Pioneer 10, but the Diamondbacks stopped them short of the end zone and forced Southwest to settle for a field goal.

Pioneer carried a 21-3 lead into halftime.

Galindo said the Diamondbacks have several players capable of contributing when everything is working together.

“We’ve got different weapons on offense that, in any different game, can help us win,” Galindo said. “Defensively, we’ve got some guys that are doing real well for us, and I think we’ve got a great kicker as well. When we put it all together and everything’s in harmony — offense, defense, special teams — I’m real happy.”

His son was at the center of Pioneer’s offensive success Thursday.

Malakai Galindo missed three weeks earlier this season with a collarbone injury, the first significant injury of his career, according to his father.

“You know, he was out three weeks,” Eddie Galindo said. “He had a collarbone injury, and I think he’s come back and done real well. It was the first injury he’s had in his career, so I think he was resilient. He had to be tough in the hard times, and he’s come back and done real well for us.”

Galindo showed that resilience against Southwest.

After Pioneer entered halftime up 21-3, Galindo connected with senior receiver Andrew Leal for a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter, extending the Diamondbacks’ advantage to 28-3.

Garza finally broke through early in the fourth quarter, scoring on a 19-yard run to cut Pioneer’s lead to 28-10.

Pioneer answered again.

Galindo connected with senior receiver Alejandro Moya, who turned the completion into a 54-yard touchdown, giving Galindo his third touchdown pass of the night and stretching the lead to 34-10.

The Diamondbacks’ defense did the rest, holding Southwest scoreless the remainder of the way to finish off the victory.

For Eddie Galindo, the group is a familiar one beyond football.

Coach Galindo has watched many of the players around him grow up together since middle school.

“It’s a special group,” Galindo said. “Malakai being my son, I’ve been with these kids since sixth grade. You bond with them. They hang out, they have fun, so I’m kind of like the uncle to those guys and the dad to one of them.”

Now comes one of the biggest games on Pioneer’s schedule.

The Diamondbacks host Sharyland at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 in the Snakeskin Classic.

Sharyland entered this week unbeaten in district after consecutive wins over Roma and Mission Veterans, giving Pioneer another significant test in a crowded District 16-5A Division II race.

“They’re explosive,” Galindo said. “They’ve got tremendous athletes defensively. They’ve got a great defense, special teams, they’re well coached, and we play each other all the time.”

Galindo expects the rivalry to come down to execution.

“It’s going to come down to who makes less mistakes, who’s prepared and who wants it more,” he said. “We’re definitely going to have our hands full. Our backs are against the wall. There’s a lot of people out there that are casting us off for dead, and that’s fine. We’re just going to come out, play hard, have fun and see where the chips land.”