Martin selects flag football team for 2027
The target on Warren County’s back will be bigger than ever next spring.
After coming within one win of the state tournament and establishing themselves as one of Tennessee’s premier flag football programs, the Lady Pioneers officially released their 2027 roster this week. And judging by the names returning to the field, coach Paul Willis Martin’s team has every reason to believe another deep postseason run could be ahead.
The foundation starts with one of the most experienced senior classes in the state.
Maci McBride headlines a 12-player senior group that also includes Harmoni Kennerly, Avery Womack, Alyssa Boyd, Sabella Martin, Paytyn Schofner, Anslee Crick, Katie Bechtel, Chloe Wanamaker, Zoey Snider, Hillary Smith and Harper Fuston.
McBride returns after putting together one of the most dominant two-way seasons in school history, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards while also becoming one of the state’s most dangerous defensive playmakers. Kennerly, like McBride, was an all-region selection after a two-way standout season last year. She had 855 yards and 14 TDs at receiver and added 33 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
Boyd gives the Lady Pioneers a trio of all-region selections to build around in the senior class as her defensive performance - 85 flag pulls, eight sacks, six interceptions - fueled a defense that recorded eight shutouts this season.
Depth for the team could be aided if Schofner and Wanamaker return at 100 percent next year. Schofner, an all-region defender as a sophomore, missed most of this spring while dealing with an auto-immune disease, while Wanamaker suffered a significant knee injury seven games into the schedule.
Wanamaker underwent surgery last week and is hopeful to make a return around the beginning of the 2027 flag football season in February. Before the injury, Wanamaker had already become one of the program’s foundational players during its first two years.
Bechtel, a transfer from Boyd Christian, joins the program starting at receiver and safety a 10-win Lady Bronco squad, further adding to the team’s depth.
Willow Durant headlines a junior class may not be as large, but it still packs plenty of punch.
Durant became one of the team’s top all-around playmakers last season, finishing with 654 yards receiving and 10 TDs while also being second on the team with 125 flag pulls.
Brynlee Chisam, Leah Mara, Ella Kesey, Maya Reagan and Gracie Smith round out the junior group. Chisam, Mara and Reagan are all new faces who have already shown to be standouts in other sports. Chisam is an all-district basketball player, Mara was a starter in volleyball and tennis as a sophomore and Reagan made the state tournament in wrestling.
The sophomore class could ultimately become one of the keys to sustaining Warren County’s success long term.
Dorlia Haycox returns after a sensational freshman season where she earned Region 3-AA Offensive Player of the Year honors while throwing for over 4,000 yards. Haycox quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in Tennessee and now steps into an even bigger leadership role entering Year 3 of the program.
She’ll be joined by Addison Cantrell, Addisyn Watson, Jayden Davis, McKenna Bouldin, Maelee Turner, Harper Patrick, Izzy Geesling and Kinslee Jarvis.
The freshman class includes Clara Martin, Kinsley Jones, Alexander Kortnee, Anna Templeton, Kinsley Simpson, Maddie Bryant, Ansley Pepper, Tenlee Medley and Kelby Nunley.
Eadey Bernhardt will serve as the team manager. A parent meeting is scheduled for June 7 at 2 p.m. in the WCHS auditorium.
Brent Carden photos - The cupboard is still stocked with plenty of talented Lady Pioneers in 2027.
