As we near the start of the 2023 football season, the Southern Standard will be breaking down the Pioneer football roster. We will be dividing our previews by positions, including today's breakdown of WR/TEs. These previews, which will run every issue until the season kicks off Friday, Aug. 18 against DeKalb County are sponsored by Security Federal Savings Bank.
During a pair of 7-on-7s this summer, the Pioneer passing attack took off. Some of that was the throwing of senior QB Alex van Vuuren, but the ball wouldn't have been moving down the field without help on the outside. This fall, Warren County should have weapons to make plays in the passing game.
The Pioneers have stockpiled some sure-handed receivers on the outside and new offensive coordinator Josh Harris looked prime to exploit some matchups created by big-bodied athletes lining up at tight end.
Van Vuuren formed an instant connection with Talan Mullican, his cousin, the moment the special teams ace moved to WR this summer. The duo carved up teams in Lebanon this summer and are working on carrying over that connection now that the team is in pads.
On the outside, Connor Williams, Gage Harris, Brayan Holguin and Jesse Dodson can also mix in, while wing Isaiah Robledo (featured in Friday's RB/Wing breakdown) could lead the team in receiving this season.
At tight end, a new name on the depth chart is rising quickly. Kal Latina, a junior transfer from Arizona, has the build and playing experience to be an instant impact player. He was catching passes in South Pittsburg Friday and is already getting snaps with the first-team offense after getting cleared for action last week.
The TE depth chart is deep though. Creed Adams, looking healthy after missing chunks of last season with a thumb injury, has enough speed to play wide receiver and enough size to line up inside. Sophomore Xavier Simmons is another puzzle piece for the Pioneers, especially in goal-line situations. Simmons can be a bulldozing blocker, but he's flashed soft hands at times when the Pioneers look his way in the passing game.
