Coach Matt Turner does not “fear the spear.” To quote an old cliché, coaches do not play the game. Players do.
Tonight is another test for a tough, undefeated 10th-ranked Pioneer football team. The most significant aspect of tonight’s game against the Riverdale Warriors is securing home field for a playoff game. Both teams are assured a playoff spot, but the winner of tonight’s game secures a first-round playoff home game. The loser of tonight’s game will most likely finish third in the region and travel in Round 1 of the playoffs.
If you’re wondering what the spear represents, it is the mascot image Riverdale uses for Warriors.
A quick poll of coaches and members of Squad 52 revealed a consensus – they all want to win and play at home in the playoffs. How much does remaining undefeated matter? How much does remaining tied with Oakland for first place in the region matter? How much does staying ranked in the state AP top 10 poll matter?
For answers, those questions were put to members of the defense.
The defense has been winning games and it’s one of the unsung heroes of the 8-0 Pioneer football team.
The Defense Speaks
Kaden Jordan “They are not an easy team.”
C.J. Taylor “We just want to win.”
Kason Holder “At the beginning of the season we knew that we would be here. We are working every day to perfect what the coaches have been preparing us to do.” 
Ryland Holder “I don’t see why everybody is afraid of Riverdale. They are just another team. They are people just like us. Know what I am saying?”
Clay Thompson “I think playing at home makes a difference. It is a different aura walking into Nunley. There is a different energy. As a player, you feel it.” 
Bryson Elrod “They have to beat us.”
Ryland Holder “We just have to put our head down and play hard. Not get too cocky. Play hard like we do every game.”
Doug Wells “We are playing for a state championship. As many games as it takes to win a championship.”
Kaden Jordan “This game is going to be a full, 12-round fight. We know how good we can be at home, so having that advantage in the playoffs is something we really want to have.”
Defensive coordinator Camron Bond “Riverdale is big and strong. Their offensive line only plays one way. That is a well-coached offensive line.” 

About the Riverdale Warriors
Coaches in the region praise the Riverdale defense. One head coach in the region said Riverdale has the best defensive front in the region and probably throughout the state in the 6A classification.
Coach Bond said, “They also have two exceptional and smart outside linebackers. They have players on defense who will be playing D1 college football.”
Riverdale has two very good running backs, and each has gained over 600 yards rushing, No. 4 Brandon Connard and No. 6 Marcus Lloyd. A head coach in the region said Connard will arguably be the fastest player on the field.
Riverdale’s original starting quarterback this season, No. 10 Jameson Holcomb has been injured with a broken finger and is recovering from surgery. He is waiting for a release from his doctor to play again. No. 17 Cade Hewitt has been starting in Holcomb’s absence.
Riverdale head coach Will Kriesky believes this is a meaningful game. Kriesky said, “This game is for a home playoff game. All kids like to play at home. We will have to play well to win. Warren County is very good. They are playing hard, and they believe in what they are doing."
Riverdale will have about five-to-six players who play both ways. They will bring 70 players to Nunley Stadium.

Insights from coach Matt Turner
WCHS head coach Matt Turner has a deep desire to beat Riverdale. As a Pioneer football player, Turner never beat Riverdale. He played against Riverdale his junior year with a broken arm that he had to have reset and put in a soft cast on game day – so that he could play that night. He lost to Riverdale again his senior year.
Each week coach Turner talks about being 0-0, and playing to win the game each week. A theme this week has been to go where modern Warren County football teams have not gone. A Warren County football team has been 9-0 only twice, 1973 and 1980.
In a straightforward tone, coach Turner said, “In all honesty, 8-0 is great, being ranked 10th in the state is great, but I will feel like a huge failure if we don’t beat Riverdale.”

Summation
Somehow, someway coach Matt Turner has led his team to its ninth game undefeated. This is a heavyweight fight. Warren County is not coming into this game as a lightweight. This is two top 10 teams battling for a home playoff spot. Riverdale just lost to Oakland and is looking for redemption. The Pioneers are coming back home to prove they are for real in a surreal season.
Anyone who has been around the Pioneers this week knows there are no moral victories this season. Squad 52 is playing for all the marbles.
There are still more ghosts to chase out of the Pioneer football culture. A win tonight would be more than a step forward for Squad 52, it would be a giant leap forward for the entire Pioneer football program.