Brent Carden photo - The Warriors enter Thursday’s matchup of WC vs. WC having won the last three border battles. Pictured is Cole Sims running against the Warren County defense last year at Nunley Stadium.
There aren't many teams Warren County could have drawn this week that would provide a tougher bounce-back opportunity than White County.
The Pioneers (3-3), now operating on a short week, will make the short trip Thursday night for the latest installment of the border battle, taking on an unbeaten White County squad celebrating Homecoming in Sparta. Kickoff was moved up a day because of the threat of inclement weather and is now set for 7:30 p.m. tonight.
White County enters a perfect 6-0 and has rarely been threatened. The Warriors are scoring 35.3 points per game and have amassed a 126-point differential in wins over Soddy Daisy, York Institute, Cookeville, Tullahoma, Livingston Academy and - until last week - previously unbeaten Macon County.
The moment the staff started breaking down film, coach Eric Belew didn't have to search long to find something that can keep the Pioneers on their toes Thursday night.
“Really their strength is they don't seem to have any weaknesses,” said Belew. “They are physical, fast and well coached. There is a reason they are undefeated. If we can focus on those things we will continue to improve each week no matter who we play.”
Senior Cole Sims is the centerpiece of a White County offense averaging 352.5 yards per game, including 246.3 on the ground. Sims is averaging 154.8 rushing yards per game and has scored 14 total touchdowns - 12 coming from the Warrior rushing attack that led them to a shutout win at Nunley Stadium last year.
Sims was the driving force behind White County's biggest win of the season last week. He rushed for three touchdowns as the Warriors went on the road and knocked off Macon County 28-14. Senior quarterback Tucker Pinion added a 29-yard touchdown pass to Eli Smith as White County turned an early 7-0 deficit into a 28-7 advantage through three quarters.
Pinion gives Warren County another threat to account for. The senior has thrown seven touchdown passes this season while adding five more scores on the ground.
White County has playmakers on the other side as well. Bryson Hogg leads the Warriors at 7.7 tackles per game, Eli Smith is averaging 6.2 and Lex Winfree - known locally for his starring role on the Warren County Middle School team before heading to Sparta - has recorded four sacks.
It's a formidable challenge for a Warren County team coming off its toughest night of the season.
The Pioneers had their three-game winning streak emphatically snapped last Friday when Stone Memorial rolled to a 42-7 victory at Nunley Stadium. Warren County was held to 189 total yards while surrendering 420, including 285 on the ground.
Even in the loss, junior quarterback AJ Whitman reached a milestone. Whitman rushed for 81 yards to eclipse 1,000 for the season and will enter Thursday with 1,003 rushing yards through six games.
Warren County’s defense is led by sophomore Cam Redmore, who has piled up 53 tackles and 2.5 sacks this season. Seniors Colton Wood and Marek Sadlon are next with 42 stops apiece, while senior Carter Lee has a team-best three interceptions.
For Belew, this week hasn't been about dwelling on Stone Memorial or becoming consumed with everything White County does well. His message has been much simpler.
“Our biggest focus has been on us. We need to focus on executing in everything we do,” said Belew. “That goes from how we practice all the way to how we clean up a locker room when we leave an opponent's facility. Every little thing matters.”
Help could be on the way for the Pioneers this week. Huck Damon, who has yet to suit up, could be back on the field for the first time since the preseason in Sparta. Damon had a TD catch in the team’s lone preseason scrimmage and saw plenty of snaps in the backfield, a place the Pioneers could use some extra depth as Whitman and senior Dylan Aguilar (35 carries, 262 yards, 2 TD) have been carrying a heavy load.
Isaac Smith, the team’s leading receiver before a shoulder injury, is still trying to work his way back onto the field. He’s been a game-time decision each of the last two weeks and remains that way going into tonight’s kickoff.
This will be the final game of a seven-game opening stretch before the Pioneers get a break next week. And the hope is to enter fall break with momentum, but to do it, Warren County will need to flip the recent results of the series.
The Pioneers last beat White County in 2018, winning 20-13 behind a pair of TDs from CJ Taylor on the road. The teams didn't play in 2019 or 2020 and their scheduled 2021 meeting was canceled because of COVID.
Warren County nearly broke through when the rivalry resumed in 2022, but Malaki Dowell's two-point conversion run in the final minute gave White County a 22-21 victory. The Warriors have controlled the series since, winning 35-6 in 2023 before posting consecutive shutouts, 41-0 in 2024 and 34-0 last season.
Warren County will get its next opportunity to change that trend tonight while also looking to spoil Homecoming and hand White County its first loss of the season.
The Warren County Sports Authority will be broadcasting the game with Jeff Simmons and Chris Sullens serving as the commentary team. Live video of the game can be found on the WCSA Facebook page and Studio 605 Productions YouTube Page.
