Roster transition has left the Pioneers with just a few players who can remember playing at Mount Juliet two years ago, but the scars are still fresh for those who were suited up to see a special season end at the hands of the Golden Bears. Warren County can exorcise some demons this Friday when it makes a return trip to Wilson County.
For the third straight year, the Pioneers and Golden Bears will battle on the gridiron. Mount Juliet has won both meetings, most notably taking down Warren County 17-13 in the 2020 playoffs to end the best season for the Pioneers in nearly 40 years.
Some of the seniors suiting up this week were there for the epic battle and coach Matt Turner hasn’t forgotten the sting of a last-second loss either. The leader who loves burning the ships isn’t looking back for inspiration, though he knows it has to be in the back of his players’ minds.
“This is a different year and these are different teams. A lot of the kids who played that night two years ago aren’t around, but not a lot has changed for their program. They still present quite a challenge,” said Turner. “We’ve had one of our best weeks of practice and our kids are ready to rise to the occasion. This is all about Squad 54 being ready and playing up to its potential.”
Warren County (1-2) got a little bit of redemption already this fall as it won big last week at Ridgeway. The victory was much needed after the Pioneers fell by one point in the final minute of back-to-back games to start the year (the first time in program history the team had lost consecutive one-point games).
Coach Turner has felt the pep come back in the Pioneers’ step this week and it seems like even more help is on the way.
Safety Creed Adams, who was one of the team’s top tacklers in Smithville, is expected to be back this week after missing two weeks. Linebacker Andrew Miller, who also has missed two games, could be available for some downs as well.
On the other side, Mount Juliet features one of top linemen in the state. Senior Ayden Bussell, a 6-foot-4, 290-pounder who committed to Tennessee, should present a challenge for the Pioneers. It also gives some of Warren County’s players a chance to prove themselves against the best.
“We’ve talked to our team and talked to Dayton (Jernigan) specifically about the matchup. These are the kind of games that put players on the map. We want to show the kind of kids we have,” said Turner.
Golden Bear LB Ethan Crisp, a Vandy commit, is another game changer, while Griffin Throneberry – a tremendous athlete – had three TDs in last year’s 38-20 win for Mount Juliet at Nunley Stadium. Throneberry, who is committed to play at Austin Peay, may not play Friday though as he deals with an injury.
The Pioneers will continue to rely on its three-man rushing attack Friday. Jaythan Pleasant is always a big play waiting to happen as he leads Warren County with 302 yards and four scores (he had an 80-yard TD run wiped out last week as well). QB Nate Elrod has 404 total yards, 219 through the air and 185 on the ground, and five total TDs, while newest 1,000-yard career rusher Braylon Grayson has 228 yards and two TDs through three games.
Alex van Vuuren is coming off a game where he had two TD catches. He currently leads the team with six catches for 117 yards.
Tickets for the game will be available at the gate for $10. Digital tickets are also available on GoFan. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
