Photo by LCPioneers.com – Former Eureka quarterback Cruz Montana in action for the Lewis & Clark Pioneers.

By Ray Hamill — Former Eureka quarterback Cruz Montana got his first start for Lewis & Clark over the weekend, as the Pioneers closed out the football season with a 33-21 win at Puget Sound.

Montana, a freshman, started in place of senior Caden Voges and completed nine of 23 passes for 192 yards, as well as pulling in a seven-yard TD reception on a trick play.

The former Loggers standout, who saw playing time in four of the Pioneers’ final six games, also had two interceptions.

Lewis & Clark head coach Jay Locey spoke recently of how impressed he and his staff have been with Montana in his first year with the team.

“You know, he’s a tremendous kid with a big-time upside,” Locey said. “He’s been tremendous in practice and he’s done well when he’s got the opportunity to play, and boy we like him a lot.”

The Division-III Pioneers closed out the season 4-5.

It was their first win over Puget Sound in six years.