Wanamaker working toward return in 2027
Brent Carden photo - Chloe Wanamaker has been the face of the Lady Pioneer flag football program while playing QB and piling up victories.
It felt like just another romp at Nunley Stadium. Warren County was rolling through its sixth opponent, the scoreboard was going crazy and at the middle of it all was the only signal caller the program had ever leaned on.
Chloe Wanamaker was running and gunning the Lady Pioneers past Livingston Academy on March 31, closing in on another 200-yard passing night while also rushing for scores as the leader of an unstoppable offense. But in the fourth quarter, when she went to make a cut to escape pressure like she had done hundreds of times before, the result was different. Instead of sliding by defenders and flying down the field, Wanamaker collapsed in a heap holding her knee and knowing something was wrong.
Answers were slow to come. As Wanamaker watched and supported her teammates during a run to the region final, she underwent testing and tried to ease the pain with rest and ice. But finally, this week the road to recovery has begun.
Wanamaker underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments, a necessary first step that hopefully kicks off a redemption tour for the lefty who was building a legendary career with the Lady Pioneers before that last quarter in March.
“When Chloe went down, it was emotional for all of us because she’s such a huge part of this team, not just as our quarterback, but as a leader and teammate,” said coach Paul Willis Martin. “In that moment, there was definitely shock and concern first, because we care about her as a person before anything else. At that moment, I wasn't concerned about the football aspect.”
Wanamaker was a monster in the team’s first season on the gridiron in 2025, earning all-region honors in the inaugural season of flag football at Warren County. She threw for 2,439 yards while also rushing for 785 yards and 12 scores, guiding the Lady Pioneers to 11 wins.
She was well on her way to crushing those numbers this year. Before her injury cut short her junior campaign, Wanamaker had thrown for 894 yards and ran for 215 yards while accounting for 13 touchdowns in six games.
At one point, Wanamaker thought maybe she could rehab and get back on the gridiron this year, but the damage turned out to be even more severe than initially expected.
According to her family, doctors discovered three meniscus tears during surgery that hadn’t shown up earlier in testing. Her ACL was torn in half and surgeons used a quad graft while also placing an anchor to help stabilize her kneecap. Despite the extent of the injury, Wanamaker spent over a month continuing to push through swelling and rehab work before surgery, relying mostly on ice, stretching and - most of all - determination.
And she did it all without a complaint. Instead, she smiled through it all, working hard to get strength in other muscles around the ligaments that will help her recovery process - one doctors said could take 7-9 months and will start with physical therapy as soon as this weekend.
Wanamaker already started her own physical therapy this week. The day before surgery, she was out kicking soccer balls and one of her first requests after surgery was to attend her softball game Tuesday night - a clear sign she’s still locked in on sports.
It’s typical Chloe fashion - something she showed throughout the year on the sidelines when she couldn’t run out and command the offense.
In her place, freshman Dorlia Haycox emerged as the region’s Offensive Player of the Year, throwing for over 4,000 yards as Warren County ultimately finished the season 17-2. And instead of sulking or wondering “what if” all year, Wanamaker continued to lead, only this time as more of a mentor on the sidelines than the field general of the offense.
“Off the field, Chloe has been incredibly supportive. She stayed engaged with the team every single day, encouraging us at practice, helping wherever needed, talking to players on the sidelines and keeping everyone confident,” said Martin. “Just her presence meant a great deal. Many injured players could understandably step away mentally, but Chloe stayed invested and kept leading differently.”
And as Wanamaker did everything she could to inspire her teammates, the Lady Pioneers did all they could to honor her with their play.
“As a team, we rallied around her by carrying forward the energy and leadership she brings. Everyone had to step up a little more, whether that meant leadership, communication or execution on the field. We used it as motivation to play for each other and for Chloe,” said Martin. “You never fully replace someone like Chloe, but her attitude helped us stay focused and confident. She reminded us to keep believing in ourselves, and that mindset really helped the team respond the way we did.”
On Friday, the Lady Pioneers will begin building the next roster in hopes of making an even bigger splash in the state rankings in 2027. And while she won’t be able to suit up for tryouts, there’s no doubt Wanamaker will still make her presence felt.
If anything, it’ll serve as even more motivation in the rehab process she plans to attack immediately. And if she’s as successful working through recovery as she has been while leading the Lady Pioneers offense, it won’t shock anybody around the program if she’s back in uniform by next February.
The only surprise may be opponents suddenly having to deal with two all-state caliber quarterbacks.
