AJ Whitman has one final chance to run through big holes created by a physical Pioneer offensive line tonight at Nunley Stadium. Whitman’s standout junior season has him ranked fifth all-time in single-season rushing yards, only behind three standout years from Jeff Womack and CJ Taylor’s 2020 Mr. Football season.
Warren County has spent the last two weeks building momentum. Now the Pioneers have one final opportunity to turn that late-season surge into a winning record.
The Pioneers (5-5) will host LaVergne in the Nurserymen's Bowl tonight at 7 p.m. at Nunley Stadium, looking to close the 2026 season with a third straight victory and finish above .500 for the second consecutive year.
After scoring 41 points in back-to-back victories over Howard and Glencliff, Warren County will face a different challenge against a Class 6A squad that coach Eric Belew believes is far more dangerous than its record suggests.
"I don't think people need to let Lavergne record fool them. They have one of the most difficult schedules in the entire state. This is not a slouch football team. They have dudes," said Belew.
LaVergne has struggled to find consistent offensive production against its demanding schedule, but their speed and athleticism are what concern Belew most.
"They're very athletic and fast in the perimeter. They have a quarterback that is willing to run 80 yards just to get 5. We will have to take great angles all game to keep them from getting behind us. If we don't it will cause a mountain of problems," said Belew. "On the flip side If we can keep them moving side to side it can be very challenging for them."
Aaron Samuel has thrown for 856 yards and four touchdowns for the Wolverines, while Thomas Dixon Jr. leads the rushing attack with 499 yards on 91 carries. Kayden Curtis has been LaVergne's most productive receiving threat, catching 37 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Kindrae Walker has added 23 receptions for 263 yards.
The Pioneers will counter with an offense that has found its rhythm behind junior quarterback AJ Whitman, who has been one of the area's most productive playmakers this season.
Whitman enters Thursday with 1,472 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, along with 776 passing yards and nine scores. His latest performance was one of his best. Whitman rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns while throwing for 140 yards and two more scores in last Friday's 41-6 Senior Night victory over Glencliff.
Warren County has also benefited from the contributions of Dylan Aguilar, who has rushed for 297 yards and four touchdowns, and a receiving group led by Carter Lee and Marek Sadlon. Lee has 30 catches for 351 yards and three touchdowns, while Sadlon has hauled in 22 passes for 232 yards and three scores.
All three found the endzone in the last two weeks, when Warren County piled up points to get back to a .500 record to finish the regular season.
"I think we have matched up well offensively the past two games. Teams had a hard time getting lined up to our formations as well, which gave us an advantage. Most importantly, the players went out and executed. They need the same mentality (against LaVergne)," said Belew.
Christian Munoz and the Pioneer defense will have to contend with some of the top athletes Warren County has faced this season tonight against LaVergne.
Defensively, Warren County will rely on a group that has produced 81 tackles for loss this season. Sophomore Cameron Redmore leads the Pioneers with 92 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss, while Sadlon has added 82 tackles and senior Kolton Wood has 79.
Ethan Holder and Camron Holder have combined for 110 tackles and 21.5 tackles for loss. Lee has also been a playmaker in the secondary, collecting four interceptions.
Those numbers will be put to the test against LaVergne's speed, with Belew emphasizing discipline and physicality as the keys to the bowl matchup.
"I ultimately want us to worry about us and go compete. I want to see us pursuing to the ball on defense and creating turnovers. Offensively, I want us to be physical upfront and making plays," said Belew.
The matchup came together through a conversation between Belew and LaVergne coach Chris Johnson, who previously coached at Warren County from 2010-13 as the defensive coordinator when his brother, Tommy Johnson, was head coach. Johnson initially contacted Belew to learn more about the Pioneers' experience playing a non-region schedule, a move LaVergne will make for its own program the next two seasons.
"I initially reached out to coach Belew to ask how going Independent helped/hurt the program at Warren County. After hearing him talk about all the positives this move brought to their program, it was clear that this was the right thing for us," said Johnson.
The bowl game was brought up and Johnson didn’t have to think long before accepting.
"He mentioned to me that they were looking for someone to play against in their bowl and I thought it would be a great opportunity to get our parents, fans and kids familiar with this feeling. This could give us great momentum going into the offseason, especially if we were able to get a win," said Johnson.
For Warren County, the bowl can serve to measure its progress against a Class 6A opponent, while also sending its 15 seniors out with another victory. The coach, however, doesn't believe Thursday's outcome will define what his seniors have accomplished.
"As much as we want to win, I think their legacy is set. They have established a culture that other kids in the building want to be a part of. We feel like our numbers will continue to grow each year. Same as last years class, any success that comes in the future will have their names stamped on it," said Belew.
The Warren County Sports Authority will be live at 6:45 p.m. to broadcast the final night of fall football for the Pioneers. Join Jeff Simmons and Chris Sullens for the game on the WCSA Facebook Page or the Studio 605 YouTube page. As always, the WCSA’s presentation of Pioneer football is sponsored by First National Bank of Middle Tennessee and First Wealth.
