Nothing could stop the Warren County Middle School football team from completing its season undefeated. The Pioneers played host to White County on Tuesday, easily defeating the woeful Warriors 56-6.
The win improves WCMS to 7-0, delighting the home crowd from the opening kickoff as Pioneer Ryland Holder took it back 70 yards for a TD and C.J. Taylor followed with a successful two-point conversion, 8-0.
“We started practicing extra early in February,” said Warren County Middle School head coach Donnie Harris. “It showed tonight. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work the team has done.”
White County took over and was crushed by the Pioneer defense as the Warriors decided to punt on a fourth-and-17 situation having lost yards in their first possession. To further complicate their offensive issues, a fumbled snap allowed Ryland Holder another quick TD from the 2-yard-line.
Pioneer Kason Holder followed with a two-point conversion putting Warren County up 16-0 early.
The stunned Warriors tried to muster some movement as White County’s Jayden Hicks went for a 40-yard run, but C.J. Anthony intercepted on the next play to set up a C.J. Taylor touchdown, and Anthony made the two-point conversion, 24-0.
White County’s misfortune continued, as on the ensuing three-and-out punt, the Pioneer drive came alive once again as Joseph Lanier and Braden Bottoms chewed up some turf to get Ryland Holder close enough to scramble 12 yards into the end zone with Xander Lee adding the conversion, 32-0.
On the next possession, the Warriors offense went out on downs, but fortune finally smiled on White County as Warrior Daniel Paul picked off a Pioneer pass. Lady luck is fickle, and White County fumbled the ball with Pioneer Dayton Jernigan coming up with it. This defensive play led to a C.J. Taylor score and Ryland Holder conversion, 40-0, to close the half.
It wasn’t until the third quarter the Warriors worked their way on the board with a Kade Clark TD after a successful drive which included two first downs, of only three made all ballgame, with the conversion unsuccessful, 40-6.
Two more fumbles on the Warriors next two possessions led to two more scores by Warren County as Pioneer Justin Rochon found the end zone and so did Seth Meeks for the conversion, 48-6.
Finally, with 1:46 left on the clock, Meeks took in a TD while Rochon did the conversion for a final score of 56-6.
The Middle School Pioneer team is set to play host to Tullahoma in a bowl game this Saturday at Nunley Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m.