WCMS starts 2-0 with another big road win

Ben Matheney’s halftime speech seemed to hit home in Jasper as the Pioneers dominated the second half to improve to 2-0.

The WCMS Pioneers are coming back across the mountain with a 2-0 record after turning a rough start into a dominant finish Thursday night.

Warren County overcame four first-half turnovers, then took complete control after halftime to beat Jasper Middle 30-14 at Marion County High School. The victory gives the Pioneers back-to-back road wins to start the season after blasting DeKalb County 44-14 in Smithville last week.

"Rough start to the ball game, lost the ball four times and were lucky to be up 8-6 at the half," coach Ben Matheney said. "I challenged the team at half and they responded."

Brody Chisam provided the biggest spark before the break, scoring on a touchdown run to help Warren County erase a 6-0 deficit and take an 8-6 advantage into halftime.

Then the Pioneers hit the gas.

Warren County recovered an onside kick to open the third quarter and scored just two plays later. The Pioneers recovered another onside kick later in the half and cashed in that extra possession as well, turning a two-point halftime lead into a 22-6 advantage late in the third quarter.

"(I thought it was) A dominant second-half performance on both sides of the ball," Matheney said. "Getting two onside kicks and scoring on both drives really set the tone of the second half."

The Pioneers eventually stretched the lead to 30-6 in the fourth quarter before Jasper added a late touchdown.

Chisam, Gabe Rowland, Dallas Gater and Mikhail Wilcher were all part of the scoring for Warren County. Matheney noted the production went even deeper though as the team’s depth continues to be a strength.

"Six kids finding the end zone between scores and two-points is big," Matheney said.

Expanded coverage of Thursday’s game will follow tomorrow on the Warren County Way website.