Pioneers win! Will host Webster on Friday!

Get the Turkey and dressing ready, because Thanksgiving comes early this year!  The Pioneers defense came up HUGE again, intercepting a pass in the end zone in the closing seconds to seal a 19-14 win over a storied Camdenton program.  The win propels the Pioneers into the state semi-finals as they will host Webster Groves on Friday night in the most meaningful "Turkey Day" in years!  The winner advances to the Dome and will compete for the state championship.  You may want to head over to the stadium sometime Wednesday to guarantee yourself a seat. 

Coach Irvin has us all believing that anything is possible!  GO PIONEERS!!!  

   

Pioneers Advance!!

The Pioneers made a statement that they must be taken seriously in the state playoff picture by thumping previously undefeated Ft. Zumwalt East by a score of 47-27.  In what was easily the most exciting and entertaining game of the season, the two teams traded big plays in route to a 27-20 halftime score in favor of the Pioneers.  Kirkwood scored on it's first possession of the 2nd half on an amazing juggling catch by Mike McHugh, and the rout was on.  The Pioneers never looked back.

The defense was once again stingy, and Kevin Bedford, seemed to be everywhere!!  If you're game planning for the Pioneers, you'd better figure out how to keep #5 from making the tackle. . . and good luck with that!

They now travel to Camdenton for a 1:00 pm game on Saturday.  If you had plans, change them!  The Pioneers are marching on!!  Congratulations Coach Irvin, your staff and your team!

We Are KIrkwood!

It takes a lot of things to make a great school. . . great facilities, dedicated custodians, tireless secretaries, the best administrators, and of course, great teachers and great students!  Today we recognized some outstanding students who were nominated by some outstanding teachers as kids who represent the "Spirit of Kirkwood".  We had fun taking their pictures today, and it's inspiring to see these people together.  CONGRATULATIONS!!

 

Kayla

I think I've got the best job in the world. . . and a big reason for that is that I get to meet amazing young people like Kayla.  I was fortunate enough to have Kayla in class last year.  She didn't immediately stand out, but as I found out later, that's because Kayla is really more about helping others than she is about having the spotlight shine on herself.  You don't learn that because Kayla is telling you, you learn it because you watch her do the things she does.  She's the one helping the kid in the wheelchair, or doing charity work with her church.  She "gets it", way more than I did when I was her age, that's for sure.  She makes me proud and hopeful.  

Oh, and did I mention that she is hard-working and really smart?  And need I say, adorable?  

Pioneers Meet Mehlville

It was a beautiful day for soccer. . . unfortunately, it was the Panthers that got off to the fast start, scoring 3 times in the first half.  I don't know all that much about soccer, but it seems like it's a tougher sport than most to comeback from such a deficit.  Once a team secures a lead, there's just so much space and so many ways to play a "prevent defense".  

The Pioneers had a good season, and I know that the coaches really enjoyed working with this group.  Several freshmen were starters, so there is a strong nucleus for future success.  

Eric R.

Eric's parents are good friends of mine, so it was a special treat to spend some time with their son.  The apple didn't fall far from the tree on this one.  He's a good, fun-loving young man, and he did a great job holding back the yawns so we could get some pictures taken.  Mom was a big help, holding the transmitter and encouraging Eric with a few "Oh YEA's", and some "Ooooohhhs".  He even humored me when I asked him to climb up in some trees.  Eric is also a lacrosse player, so we'll be doing some more pictures to capture that side of him.  

Eric, you were great today!  Thanks for letting me hang out with you and Mom. . .   

Pioneers Go Down Swinging

Dreams die hard. . . It was an exciting night of volleyball, and the Pioneers gave St. Joes all they could handle, taking them to the wire in a thrilling contest.  There were great plays on both sides of the net, and the crowd certainly got their money's worth.  

I think it might be fair to say you can judge the success of a season by the pain exhibited when it ends.  The six seniors who have lived and breathed Kirkwood Volleyball for the past four years were visibly crushed, and to me that says "It mattered".  Not sure you can give a better compliment to a high school athlete. . .  

Seeing them come back out on the court following the match reminded me of the final game of my high school basketball career. . . My evil nemesis, Frank Cusamano (of Channel 5 sports, and now a good friend) hit a half-court shot at the buzzer of the 2nd overtime to beat us in the district finals, and I remember sitting in the locker room just numb, not being able to process that fact that it was over, and I didn't have practice tomorrow.    I went on to play in college, but it's fair to say I don't miss anything quite as much as the time spent with my teammates on that high school team, and wearing that Pattonville uniform. . . 

I know it will be tough for these girls for the next few days, but they need to know how proud we are of them and what a great job they did representing Kirkwood High School and the entire Kirkwood community.  They've created great memories for themselves and all of us who got to watch them play.  They went down fighting. . .