A full broadcast of tonight’s game on the Warren County Sports Authority.
Eighth-grade night was supposed to be a celebration for the Pioneers. Warren County came to Nunley Stadium Tuesday looking to honor its eighth graders, avenge last year's loss to E.O. Coffman and keep a perfect season rolling.
Instead, it turned into the Fox show.
E.O. Coffman running back Ja'Kole Fox scored five touchdowns, four on runs where Warren County just couldn’t catch up to the speedy back, as the Panthers handed WCMS its first loss, 41-22. It was more points in one night than the Pioneers had given up all season (34) while assembling a perfect 5-0 record before Fox went wild.
He started his huge night with a 72-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, breaking through the Pioneer defense and racing away to give Coffman the lead. Colt Evans later connected with Carson Cornstubble for a 46-yard touchdown on fourth down as the Panthers took a 14-0 advantage into halftime.
Warren County finally found some life after the break. Dallas Gater hit Brody Chisam for a 20-yard touchdown and Mikhail Wilcher powered in the two-point conversion, cutting the lead to 14-8.
Fox needed one play to answer.
On Coffman's first snap after the score, Fox ripped off a 48-yard touchdown to immediately push the lead back to 21-8.
The Pioneers came right back. Bryson Carroll broke loose for a 36-yard run to set up ashort touchdown run from Gater, then Wilcher added another two-point conversion. With 2:26 left in the third quarter, Warren County had fought back within 21-16 and Nunley Stadium had come alive.
Warren County just never found an answer for Fox.
With the Pioneers needing a stop to give their offense a chance to take the lead, Fox kept Coffman's next drive alive by escaping the backfield on fourth down. QB Colt Evans later broke free on a keeper to set up Fox's six-yard touchdown, stretching the advantage to 28-16 with 5:19 remaining.
Coffman recovered the ensuing onside kick and Fox struck again, breaking containment and racing 37 yards for his fourth touchdown. After Warren County's next drive stalled, Fox put the final nail in the Pioneers' perfect start with a 75-yard touchdown run.
His fifth score made it 41-16 and completed a night where nearly every Warren County push was answered by another Fox big play.
The Pioneers did have chances to change the game before Fox took over. Bryson Anderson recovered a fumble on Coffman's opening possession and Warren County drove to the Panther 4, but Coffman's defense made the fourth-down stop. From there, the Panthers went on a 96-yard march, much covered on Fox’s first TD. And it was just the start of his big night.
Warren County added one final touchdown when Wyatt Jaco entered in at QB and connected with Chisam in the final minute, setting the final score at 41-22.
The Pioneers will have to regroup after their first loss. Warren County is scheduled to face Shelbyville Harris on the road next Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
