Jared Cohen
The Pinnacle Pioneers football team is 33-10 over the last four seasons. That is one of the best records in the start in that time frame. Despite the success in the win-loss column, they can’t seem to get over that hump in the post season.
With Pinnacle starting spring practice this week, they are already getting into the championship mindset to get over that hump this season. And two seniors are leading the way to make sure they accomplish success that no other Pinnacle team has been able to reach.
“Usually we haven’t hit that drive to go for a championship until midway through the summer,” said Pinnacle line backer Cole Neubauer. “So senior year, have to take the leadership and just start that drive right now as soon as we can and hopefully it carries through up until the season.”
“We are just trying to get everyone’s head in the game,” added Pinnacle running back Josh Hoekstra. “Start now, get everyone going now and push all year. Don’t stop the drive from now until the end of next season.”
Pinnacle lost a very good senior class this past season including one of the top offensive lineman in the state, Billy Nichols and quarterback Michael Sanders. But with Neubauer on defense and Hoekstra on offense, a lapse in leadership is not expected.
“As a team we are trying to get out as far as we can go,” mentioned Hoekstra. “Have everyone mesh together since we have new kids coming up without the seniors that left last year. Just putting it all together.”
Hoekstra has had a very underrated career at Pinnacle to this point. Last year he was one of the state’s top rushers tallying over 1500 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. This offseason he was invited to compete in the NFTC camp and is starting to have colleges come out to Pinnacle and check him out.
Hoekstra’s teammate Cole Neubauer is also coming off of a great junior campaign at Pinnacle. He was second on the team in tackles, third on the team in sacks and forced 2 fumbles. He also was invited to participate in the NFTC camp as well. Neubauer has had lengthy conversations with UNLV and some other schools as well as he is awaiting his first college offer.
Pinnacle continues spring practices until May 16th
