Depth was already going to be an issue for the Warren County High School football team coming into this season. Injuries are making it a glaring problem right now.
Starting at 0-2 has taken a toll on the Pioneers’ psyche after coming into the year with high hopes, but the two contests have taken an even greater toll on the bodies of many of the Warren County players.
In the second half of last week’s 41-16 loss to Shelbyville, the Pioneers saw starters Cameron Lusk, Tucker Slatton, Lee Carden, Drew Davidson and Ethan Stuart all leave the game with injuries.
Lusk, Slatton and Davidson would return, but Carden and Stuart both sat out the rest of the game. Without Carden, who laid on the field for several minutes while trainers tended to a potential neck injury, the Pioneers were without their leading receiver on offense and top tackler on defense.
Stuart has stepped into the starting lineup as a freshman on the offensive line, but suffered a head injury that sidelined him most of the second half.
Coach Tommy Johnson realizes the injuries are a cause for concern, but players have to step up to fill the holes.
“We’ve got to get more players ready to contribute on Friday nights,” said Johnson. “That means guys have to take advantage of reps in practice and prepare themselves mentally and physically to be ready for action.”
Warren County went into Friday’s game without wide receivers Park Hilliard and Malik Ladet and fullback Darius Wright. Hilliard has been out since the Lincoln County scrimmage Aug. 16 with a broken collarbone while Ladet missed the first two games with various ailments. Wright injured his knee in practice last week.
Getting back the trio of players seems unlikely for this week’s District 6-AAA matchup with the Cookeville Cavaliers at Nunley Stadium. Hilliard hopes to be back later this month though, while Ladet and Wright are still question marks to return.
Carden and Stuart will join the injured list this week as their availability for Friday’s game will be assessed throughout the week. If neither can go, several players will be needed to replace them.
Juniors Ethan Fliss and Jordan Tidwell have seen more time at receiver than originally thought before the season when the Pioneer receiving core included Carden, Ladet, Hilliard and D’Andre League.
Tidwell is also Carden’s back up at free safety and has played several snaps this season.
Options on the offensive line in case Stuart is unavailable are seniors Hunter Coppinger and Christian Taylor, who missed the first week with an ankle injury before playing against Shelbyville.
Coach Johnson hopes more options will present themselves this week as the Pioneers search for more depth.
“We have to find some guys who can give our starters a break from time to time,” said Johnson. “We’ve got players who rarely leave the field and they need breaks. It’s not about becoming a full-time starter, but just being a guy who can handle 10-15 snaps and play well.”
The Pioneers practiced early Monday morning and after school Tuesday in preparation for a 7 p.m. home kickoff against the Cavaliers Friday. Warren County will practice again Wednesday before going through a final walk through Thursday.