The Pioneer football team has been working hard during its bye week to prepare for its first playoff game on Friday at 7 p.m. against Putnam City North at Pioneer Stadium.

The team has been doing business as usual this week, Defensive Coordinator Danny Nickles said.

The team intends to “[play] with discipline, physicality and effort,” Coach Nickles said.

Not only have they been practicing as a team, but they have individual goals as well, said Caleb Humble, senior defensive lineman.

 “I’m just going to try and lift up the team and encourage dominance as well as discipline,” Humble said.

After beating Southmoore 58-0 in their last regular season game, the Pioneers earned a first-round bye in the state playoffs. Putnam City North beat Southmoore in the first round of the playoffs last week to get them to the second-round game against Stillwater.

The athletes are playing with confidence, knowing they have to do what they need to do, said Shayden Green, senior running back on the team. 

“I’m just making sure I go out there and do the things I know I need to do to be successful with the confidence I know I have,” Green said.