Prep football: Center leans on ground game to topple Pioneer in playoff upset

The grass was no issue for Center’s Benny Tafoya.

The senior running back handled the artificial turf at Pioneer’s stadium just fine Friday night, racking up 154 yards and two touchdowns as the 10th-seeded Cougars knocked off No. 7 Pioneer in the first round of the Division V playoffs.

Tafoya had a total of 154 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Tafoya, an Antelope native, is a senior who hopes to continue playing football in college. He’ll at least be playing next week with his high school team.

Cougar coach Digol JBeily was particularly impressed with Tafoya’s night.

“He’s been a real workhorse out there,” JBeily said. “I think he’s got about 1,400 rush yards this season. We have him rush 25 to 30 times a game and he just grinds.”

Though he was proud of Tafoya, JBeily always likes to give credit to his team as a whole. He’s coached this team since 2002 and takes pride in the fact that they have no single star player.

“This group of players is one unit,” he said. “We have so many characters on this team and that’s what makes us special. Anybody can be a star in our games.”

Tafoya was happy with his performance but thinks he can get better for the next one:

“I think I started off a little slow. It was good to pick it up later but I think if can be a little more explosive in the first half, that can definitely help us.”

The Cougars were in a stalemate with the Patriots throughout most of the game. It was always close.

The game-changing play happened in the fourth quarter with the Patriots up 14-7. Center’s Isaiah Castellon pulled off an interception to steal momentum from Pioneer.

Tafoya then scored his second touchdown on a 56-yard rush. The Pioneer sideline fell apart. One assistant coach even muttered, “I can’t even believe it.” The stadium went basically silent, except for the hooting on the Center sideline.

With Pioneer in desperation mode, Center got a pick-six by sophomore Nelson Nathan to end the game 28-7.

Center’s first score came in the first quarter on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Robert O’Brien to receiver Hunter Crepps.

Pioneer tied it up on the first drive of the second half with a rush by star Jack Carner. The Cougars responded with a short touchdown rush by Tafoya.

Following the loss, the Patriots were distraught even as the whole crowd came out onto the field postgame to offer condolences and talk about the game. It’s always tough when teams lose in the playoffs, recognizing the season is now over.

Pioneer finished the season 7-4. Carner totaled 106 yards rushing and his team’s lone score. Pioneer coach Matt Bryson is expected back next season to continue the success. He’s coached at the school since 2010.

Next up, the No. 10 Cougars play No. 2 Sonora in the quarterfinals of the playoffs next Friday.

This story was originally published November 5, 2022 at 7:15 AM.