What once looked like a strength of the Warren County High School football team may be a question mark when the regular season starts next week.
The offensive and defensive lines for the Pioneers, which looked to return nearly every starter from 2011, have been ravaged by injuries during fall practice.
New line coaches Greg Cotten and Andy Evans are scrambling to build depth during practice to help fill holes left when senior Jacob Roller and junior Gilley Ortiz each went down with hand injuries. Senior David Lee, a projected starter at center, has also missed all of fall practice.
With three projected two-way starters still on the sidelines watching, some young players have stepped up to help shoulder the load.
Coach Cotten, who leads the offensive line, has been pleased with the development of his young players as the season nears.
“I think we’ve gotten what we expected from the older guys, but it has been the play of the young guys that has really stood out,” said Cotten. “We needed them to step up, especially when the injuries piled up, and they’ve accepted the challenge.”
Even with the injuries to Roller, Lee and Ortiz, the Pioneers still have a few veterans ready to lead in the trenches.
Juniors Logan Wanamaker and Ethan Turner should start on both sides of the ball, while seniors David Craven and Aaron McKinley will be asked to be leaders at their respective positions.
Craven moved from tackle to center after Lee went down with a knee injury. McKinley is a two-year starter at defensive end and a returning All-District 6-AAA performer.
Filling out the starting offensive line on the right side are sophomore Dylan George and junior Relley Yott.
Luke Woodlee, Christian Taylor, Peytan Blackwell, Hunter Coppinger and Jarrett Winfree are also in the rotation on the offensive line.
Coach Evans, working with the defensive line after serving as linebackers coach two years ago,  foresees senior Justin Crittenden joining Wanamaker, Turner and McKinley on the starting defensive line. Many of the same names in the two-deep on the offensive line will play on the defensive line, along with Chayse Frye and Cameron Lusk.
Coach Evans hopes to see a few more playmakers step up before the start of the season.
“We’ve got some guys with experience and a few guys we’re still waiting to take another step,” said Evans.
Lance Bryd, Josh Lanier, Bryson Cope, Matt Savage, Austin Cantrell, Wesley Tatrow and McCoy Underwood could all play both ways on the JV team.
Editor’s note: This is part five of a seven-part series breaking down the Warren County High School football roster. Sunday’s edition will feature linebackers and defensive backs. The series will end next Wednesday with special teams.