Flag Football ready for tryouts
The next wave of Lady Pioneers will officially begin chasing history Friday.
After finishing one win shy of the state tournament and cementing itself as one of the premier flag football programs in Tennessee, Warren County High School will hold tryouts for the 2026-27 season Friday, May 22 from 2-4 p.m. at the practice football field at WCHS.
The Lady Pioneers are coming off a remarkable 17-2 season that included a 15-game winning streak, a Region 3-AA semifinal blowout of Rockvale and a trip to the region championship game against powerhouse Blackman, which went on to be in the state’s Final 4. Now coach Paul Willis Martin and his staff are preparing for another massive turnout as interest around the program continues exploding across campus.
Last season, more than 80 players participated in tryouts as students flocked toward one of the fastest-growing sports in Tennessee. Considering the success Warren County enjoyed this spring, expectations are that even more athletes could be competing for roster spots next week.
“Everybody is excited to get back at it,” said coach Martin, who has led the team to double-digit wins in each of the first two seasons of the program. “The players didn’t want the season to end. They are wanting to get into next season. It didn’t end like they wanted and they want to rewrite the script next year.”
There will be plenty of talent returning as everybody looks to stand out in the tryout process.
Freshman quarterback Dorlia Haycox returns after earning Region 3-AA Offensive Player of the Year honors during a sensational debut season where she threw over 4,000 yards while leading one of the state’s most explosive offenses.
Two-way star Maci McBride is also expected back after putting together one of the most dominant all-around seasons by any Lady Pioneer athlete in recent memory. McBride, who avoided major injury after going down against Blackman in the region finals, surpassed 1,000 receiving yards while also becoming one of the team’s top defensive playmakers.
Warren County can also continue building around experienced contributors like Alyssa Boyd, Willow Durant and Harmoni Kennerly as the Lady Pioneers attempt to reload for another postseason run.
Still, replacing leadership and production from senior like Ariyanna Rippy and Allie Melton will be one of the biggest offseason priorities.
Rippy earned Region 3-AA Defensive Player of the Year honors before signing with Cumberland University alongside Melton, another explosive two-way playmaker who helped power the Lady Pioneer offense and defense throughout the season.
With stars returning, momentum growing and another huge turnout expected Friday, Year 3 of WCHS flag football officially begins this week.
For more information on tryouts, contact coach Martin at martinp@warrenschools.com.
