Highlights from WCHS Day 1
The moment the TSSAA calendar allowed teams to officially begin preseason practice Monday, several Warren County High School programs wasted little time getting to work.
Football, volleyball, girls soccer and cross country all opened fall camp with high energy and high expectations as athletes and coaches took the first steps toward the 2026 season.
The excitement was evident everywhere. Shoulder pads popped inside Charlie Dalton Gym as football adjusted to the afternoon heat, volleyball players dove across the auxiliary gym floor chasing every ball, cross country runners logged their first official miles and the Lady Pioneer soccer team was back on the pitch preparing for another challenging schedule.
If anything slowed the first day, it was the weather.
Temperatures climbed throughout the afternoon, forcing football coach Eric Belew to move practice indoors while every program emphasized water breaks and cooling stations. Despite the heat, coaches were able to navigate the opening day without incident.
Every team also had its own checklist for Day 1 and each appeared to make meaningful progress.
For coach Erin Blalock and the Lady Pioneer volleyball team, staying healthy may be the biggest priority heading into the season.
Sophomores Reese Reinitz and Maelee Turner, two key contributors who battled knee injuries as freshmen, both participated while wearing knee braces. Their availability could provide an early boost as Warren County prepares to compete in this weekend's Tree City Invitational.
From the opening whistle, the Lady Pioneers looked eager to get back on the court. Players repeatedly sprawled across the floor during defensive drills before quickly jumping back into position, showing the energy and hustle expected from a team hoping to remain among the contenders in District 7-AAA.
Cross country coaches Jeremy Wilhelm and Kelsea Turner took a more measured approach.
Several runners are still wrapping up summer vacations, while standout Emma Woodlee continues working back from injury. Even so, Monday marked the beginning of what the coaches hope will be another successful season.
Wilhelm expects the program to once again feature more than 20 runners, with the possibility of adding even more athletes as interest continues to grow. Warren County will again host a home meet this season and is also in position to host the region championships this fall.
The Lady Pioneer soccer team was also missing a handful of players Monday because freshman orientation overlapped with the first official practice.
Even with a shortened roster, coach Todd Willmore still had a strong core on hand, including returning all-district selections Noelle Bratcher, Addison Steakley and Maci McBride. That group could soon be joined by a talented freshman class that enjoyed a successful season at Warren County Middle School and may be ready to contribute immediately.
Football's opening day looked a little different after moving indoors, but the change of venue did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm.
Belew and his staff moved quickly through individual instruction before transitioning into 11-on-11 work as the Pioneers began preparing for another season after finishing 6-5 a year ago.
They won't have long before facing live competition.
Warren County is scheduled to host Spring Hill in its first preseason scrimmage Thursday at Nunley Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The Warren County Way will continue its preseason coverage throughout the coming weeks with in-depth previews of every WCHS fall sports team before opening day.
Davis, Molloy lead WCHS Golf
While most Warren County teams were beginning practice Monday, the Pioneer golf teams were already opening their season in competition.
The Pioneers traveled to the Lawrence County Invitational, battling both the field and sweltering temperatures in an event featuring nearly 140 golfers.
Noel Davis paced the Pioneer boys with a 75 as Warren County finished with a team score of 330. On the girls side, Gabbi Molloy led the Lady Pioneers with a round of 98.
