A season slowed by injuries didn’t stop the Pioneers from racking up District 6AAA accolades. Five members of the Warren County High School soccer team were named all-district recently after the team finished third in the regular season standings.

Brothers Josiah and John Jackson were named first-team all-district, while seniors Wesley Pepper and Brayden Chisam were picked on the second team. Freshman Sawyer Thompson was named the district’s rookie of the year.

Josiah was a rock in the net for the Pioneers no matter who was in front of him, while John – the midfielder of the year in the district a season ago – was a threat to score when he was able to play. A concussion held him out of action for a few weeks, though opposing district coaches already knew his value.

“Josiah and John were vital pieces to the team,” said coach Matt Jackson. “The White County coach said he thought the main reason they beat us was because we were missing John. Josiah made amazing saves all season and both of them are leaders in games and at practice.”

Chisam and Pepper were equally valuable because of their ability to fill multiple roles on an ailing team. Chisam started the season on defense, but finished the year as one of the team’s top offensive threats. Pepper allowed that move as the senior, who began the season vying for time in the net, was a lock-down defender down the stretch.

Thompson also made his presence felt defensively, giving the program a future building block with the Jackson brothers.

“Sawyer filled in so many times in hard situations defensively and went toe-to-toe with some great attacking players,” said Jackson.