AJ Whitman will be looking to have another big night against Glencliff Friday at Nunley Stadium. Whitman rushed for a score in last year’s matchup with the Colts on the road.
Fifteen Warren County seniors will take the field at Nunley Stadium tonight knowing their high school football careers are winding down. Fortunately for the Pioneers, they still have a little football left to play together.
Warren County will celebrate Senior Night when Glencliff visits McMinnville for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday, Oct. 30. The Pioneers enter the matchup at 4-5 after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 41-18 victory over Howard last week, giving them an opportunity to build momentum heading into their final two games.
For coach Eric Belew, the night will be about much more than another chance to improve the team's record. It will be an opportunity to recognize a senior class that has helped establish the foundation of his program during his first two seasons.
“Yeah, they're great, man,” Belew said during this week's Studio 605 Coaches Show. “There's just so much maturity most of the time.”
The 15 seniors have taken different paths to reach this point. Some were already part of the program when Belew arrived and decided to remain through a coaching transition. Others, including Carter Lee and Ryan Romzek, joined the Pioneers when Belew took over. A few, including Caleb Sanders and Elijah Jones, became part of the program this year.
Regardless of when they arrived, Belew believes each has played a role in helping Warren County move forward.
“Guys like Carter Lee and Romzek, to me, I kind of have a special place in my heart for them because they joined when I got here,” said Belew. “But then there's also a special place for the guys that, through a transition, they stuck it out. They thought about the program and what they wanted to accomplish.”
The group includes players who have become familiar faces on both sides of the football. Colton Gater has been a physical presence in the middle of the defense and a contributor to the rushing attack, while Lee has made plays as a receiver and defensive back.
The offensive and defensive fronts have also featured several seniors, including Canaan Curtis, Camron Holder, Ethan Holder and Romzek. All four received offers from Maryville College this week, another sign that their football careers could extend beyond Warren County.
Belew also pointed to the maturity of the group and the impact it has made on the younger players coming through the program.
“There's not enough words that I can say about how appreciative I am of them,” said Belew. “I wish I would have gotten four years with them because they're a special group and I can't wait to see the men that they become.”
The seniors will be recognized with their families before kickoff, with football festivities expected to begin around 6-6:10 p.m. Other senior groups will follow before the Pioneers take the field against the Colts.
Warren County will be looking to build on one of its best offensive performances of the season. Against Howard, the Pioneers scored touchdowns on their first six possessions, with AJ Whitman accounting for three scores. The junior quarterback rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 103 yards and another score.
Carter Lee caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Gater, Dylan Aguilar and sophomore Cameron Redmore also reached the end zone. The balanced scoring attack was something Belew was pleased to see after the Pioneers had struggled offensively during their three-game losing streak.
“I wanted to start fast,” said Belew. “Offensively, the faster we start, the easier it's going to be to distribute the ball to other guys. I was thrilled that we got multiple guys in the end zone.”
The victory wasn't without its problems. Howard connected on three touchdown passes, including a fourth-down conversion that went for a score in the first half. Belew said Warren County spent time this week addressing breakdowns in the secondary and adjusting techniques to help prevent receivers from getting behind the defense.
“I thought we played OK,” Belew said. “We've got to get away from the roller coasters of being up and down with our performance.”
Glencliff arrives with a 1-8 record, with its lone victory coming in a 38-8 win over Mt. Juliet Christian Academy on Oct. 8. The Colts were shut out 40-0 by Battle Creek last week.
The Pioneers dominated last year's meeting in Nashville, rolling to a 48-8 victory. Warren County scored 41 points in the first half and held Glencliff to just 67 yards of total offense. Dylan Aguilar rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown in the win, while several members of last year's senior class found the end zone.
Belew believes the Colts have improved despite their record, particularly with their size and athleticism at the skill positions. Glencliff returns a tall quarterback from last year's team and features several lengthy receivers, along with a running back capable of producing explosive plays.
“They've improved,” said Belew. “I know their record's not what they want it to be, but it seems like they're doing some good things. They've got length, they've got speed.”
The Pioneers will try to counter with the same offensive approach that worked against Howard, using different formations to create favorable matchups while continuing to establish their rushing attack.
Although Senior Night typically signals the end of a high school football season, Warren County has another game waiting after tonight. The Pioneers will host LaVergne in the Nurserymen's Bowl on Thursday, Nov. 5, giving the senior class one final opportunity to take the field together.
Winning both games would give Warren County a 6-5 record, matching last year's finish and securing a second consecutive winning season under Belew.
The coach isn't ready to look past Glencliff, though. He wants his seniors to enjoy their recognition, then return their attention to finishing the regular season with a victory.
“We want them to enjoy that moment as much as they can, enjoy that moment with their families,” said Belew.
Senior Night festivities are scheduled to begin shortly after 6 p.m., with kickoff set for 7 p.m. The Warren County Sports Authority will provide live coverage, including a pregame show beginning at 6 p.m.
