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.
Pioneer lines hit hard by injuries