There is a buzz in McMinnville about Pioneer football. Warren County football has the opportunity to go undefeated four straight games to open a season for the first time since 2007.
Two 3-0 teams square off tonight at Nunley Stadium. Players and coaches on the Pioneers are still upset about losing last year at Lawrence County. Turnovers on special teams plagued Warren County in last year’s game. Coach Turner has been reminding his team all week that “winning is not easy.”
For the record, Lawrence County got an easy win last week. On paper, Lawrence County is 3-0, but the Wildcats are really 2-0 with what coaches call a “COVID win” last week against Maplewood.
Explanation: Maplewood is in the Metro Davidson County school system. Metro’s school system has suspended athletic games because of the high number of COVID-19 cases. The TSSAA allows teams to count scheduled games not played because of COVID-19 as wins for the team which didn’t cancel.
Lawrence County has what may be viewed as either an advantage or disadvantage of not playing last week. Without scrimmages in the preseason, teams have been working out schemes and mistakes during the first three games. Lawrence County has had two weeks to rest and prepare for Warren County.
There is one major disadvantage Lawrence County has against Warren County, according to head coach David Marston.
“I don’t believe there is anyone in Lawrence County who can keep up with No. 1 (C.J. Taylor),” he said.
When asked if he had seen anything in Warren County’s game film, any secrets that he could share, coach Marston laughed. He said, “Here is something you can write. If No. 1 is back there to return punts, we are kicking it out of bounds. If he wants to catch it, tell him to be on the sidelines.”
C.J. Taylor is the No. 2 rusher in the state with 507 yards and 6 rushing TDs. But it was his arm that won the game in the final two minutes against Rockvale last week. Taylor threw a picture-perfect spiral to a sprinting Kason Holder for a game-winning touchdown.
Anyone expecting a blowout will probably be disappointed. Lawrence County is a tough football team, WCHS coach Matt Turner said. The Wildcats’ last opponent, Hickman County, ran an offense similar to Warren County’s, and Lawrence County shut them out.
Warren County has utlized more offensive weapons in the past two games. Last week’s game was a confidence-builder for Warren County.
C.J. Taylor had over 100 yards rushing, but it was his passes to Dante Elam, Clay Thompson, and Kason Holder that made a difference. Ryland Holder was a key contributor on the ground.
Lawrence County has a good, junior quarterback, No. 10 Alex Carr. He was injured the next week after playing the Pioneers, and he missed some games last season. He is back and healthy.
Coach Turner said, “He reminds me a lot of Rockvale’s quarterback. He is a tough runner and can also pass the ball. He is a tough football player.”
Lawrence County has playmakers at running back, No. 8 Luke Nichols, No. 11 Kase Tucker, and No. 25 Samuel Bradley. These running backs also play key roles on defense and are sure tacklers. A key receiver for Lawrence County is No. 6 Hayden Dale.
Lawrence County runs a spread offense with some Wing-T. Expect to see some belly options, buck sweeps, jet sweeps, and quarterback counters.
Carr, the Wildcat quarterback, is very valuable to the offense. Coach Marston said, “We do not risk him getting hurt by playing him on defense.”
Coach Matt Turner ended practice Monday with a loud and clear message that “winning is not easy.” Coach Turner said, “I was very tough on some players in practice Tuesday. Kason Holder was one player I pushed. We are not used to winning in Warren County. We have to see ourselves as being 0-0.”
Coach Turner is still trying to correct mistakes he says the team should not be making after three games.
Warren County gained confidence as a team and staff last week. The Pioneers did not turn the ball over against Rockvale. The team reduced mistakes and penalties. C.J. Taylor has not thrown an interception this season, nor has he fumbled the ball. This is a good sign for those who remember the turnovers the Pioneers made last year against Lawrence County.
Coach Turner said, “A win this week will validate our win last week against Rockvale.”
A win will also take this team one step closer to where a Pioneer team has not gone in 29 years – closer to a winning season.
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