Pioneers Ignite Fire Brigade Can\'t Extinguish
June 1, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers News Release
Wilkes-Barre, PA - John Knust, in his first game back from injury, ignited the spark that propelled the Pioneers to the first home win in team history, 52-35, over the Rochester Brigade. Knust, who had missed the previous four games due to a broken wrist, caught eight passes for 90 yards. Four of those catches went for touchdowns, earning Knust the game's Most Valuable Player award.
The Pioneers struggled early, going down 20-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Pioneers lone score came when QB Bryan Snyder connected with Knust from 12 yards out. Jimmy Kibble tacked on the extra point.
Down by 13 points, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton refused to fold as they displayed a fire that First Union Arena fans had yet to witness. After a missed field goal by Rochester's Charles Eger, Snyder connected with Matt Jackson for six. Kibble's extra point would narrow the Brigades lead to 20-14. Opio Gary would tie the game when he returned a missed Eger field goal 50 yards for a touchdown. Kibble's point after would give the Pioneers their first lead at 21-20. Knust scored his second touchdown with 18 seconds left in the half, and combined with Kibble's point after, put the Pioneers up 28-21. The Brigade managed to tie the score at 28 heading into halftime when Matt D'Orazio drove the ball in from one yard out.
Jackson would score his second TD of the game when Snyder connected from 33 yards out to open up the second half. The Pioneer would not look back as they held the lead for the rest of the game. Knust added touchdowns three and four in the third quarter to seal Rochester's fate
With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 2-7 in the Northeast Division. Rochester falls to 5-4.
arenafootball2 Stories from June 1, 2002
- Pioneers Ignite Fire Brigade Can't Extinguish - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
- Wildcats Earn Fourth Straight Win - South Georgia Wildcats
- Cape Fear sweeps Roanoke - Roanoke Steam
- Knights Hand Stallions First Loss of the Season - Macon Knights
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
