You’re faced with a fourth-and-9 midway through the second quarter and you’re up 3-0. Would you go for it?
 
Pinnacle High School quarterback Spencer Rattler did just that as he connected with wide receiver Hayden Hatten to secure a first down for the Pioneers.
 
But it wasn’t the pass that made the play in a 26-7 victory, it was the one- handed catch Hatten made as he collided with the Mountain View defense and fell to the turf.
 
“It was an in the moment kind of thing,” said Hatten. “I didn’t think I was going to catch the ball with one hand, that’s just instincts.”
 
Pioneer head coach Dana Zupke called it “an ESPN highlight play.”
 
Hatten finished with seven catches and 78 yards as the Pioneers improved to 3-1.

Rattler opened up the first quarter with an underthrown pass down field which was intercepted by Toros safety Tate Allen.
 
His next pick came late in the second quarter, which was another interception by Allen. “The first half was one of the worst halves I’ve ever played,” said Rattler. “Our passing game was not working at all.”
 
Rattler still finished 15-26 for 155 yards and two touchdowns and its offense continued to add points to the scoreboard.
 
“He’s Spencer Rattler,” said Hatten. “He’s always going to put up numbers.”
 
Pioneer safety Tucker Parish picked off Mountain View quarterback Brandon Nuñez’s pass midway through the second quarter and led 19-0 at halftime.
 
Junior Jeremiah Hollen scored from the one to open the second half for the Toros and only points of the game.
 
The Pioneer offense outshined that of the Toros, but it was the defense that really made a statement this game.
 
“Our defense killed it,”said Hatten. “You’re always going to win when you only have 7 points scored on you the whole game.”

 
“We came out and we did what we had to do,” said Rattler. “We definitely had the most disciplined defense thus far.”
 
The Pioneers re at Centennial next Friday in Cox’s “Game of the Week.”