While the big boys jockey for position atop the wild Division I ranks, Pinnacle has efficiently put together a solid 5-0 start as it starts the second half of the regular season.

None of the Pioneers’ first four opponents have a winning record but a 38-17 win over a previously unbeaten Horizon team last week shows Pinnacle has the makings of a contender. They have amassed plenty of offense, averaging 47 points a game so far and winning by an average margin of more than four touchdowns.

The Pioneers are led by Josh Hoekstra, who has 862 yards rushing and scored 11 touchdowns this season. And Pinnacle could be looking ahead since its toughest games are likely the last two weeks of the season, against Desert Mountain and Brophy. If Pinnacle can get through the next three weeks, it could be in a very good position for seeding against the Wolves and Broncos.

However, Pinnacle has to get past Mountain View first. The Toros’ well-publicized downturn could be on an upswing. After a disappointing season a year ago, Mountain View had a tough start with losses to Desert Mountain and Desert Ridge – both Top 10 teams through five weeks.

But the Toros seemed to have turned it around with John Clark taking over at quarterback and back Weston Birtcher finding some running room. Mountain View has scored 147 points in wins over Skyline, Mountain Ridge and Westwood, while allowing just three touchdowns over that span. If Mountain View is going to compete with the top Division I schools, a win over Pinnacle would be a major step in that direction.