As we near the start of the 2023 football season, the Southern Standard will be breaking down the Pioneer football roster. 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.
Coach can perfect the X’s and O’s and find the right Jimmies and Joes, but an offense isn’t going to move with bad line play. Nobody is more aware of that fact than coach Matt Turner, the former Pioneer and UTC lineman who has been leading Warren County football the last four seasons.
Turner is hopeful Year 5 could be another breakout for the Pioneers, but he knows it starts in the trenches. Warren County is looking to rebuild its front five after graduation took starters Dayton Jernigan, Darius Rippy, Collin Panter and Chandler McCormick, along with some depth pieces, but there are still guys with experience making their way back.
Everything starts at center, where seniors Aiden Miller and Jase Taylor have been working at the heart of the line. Miller has been working on the line for the past two years, including most recently as a starting guard last year. Though Miller doesn’t have the typical build of a lineman – he’s trimmed down from last year and shows his speed and range on defense as an outside linebacker – he has the instincts and tenacity to work as the veteran in the middle, whether its center or guard.
Taylor was the first on the field at center last week in South Pittsburg, where the Pioneers were able to spring Isaiah Robledo for an 80-yard TD run in the scrimmage against the 1A powerhouse.
Xander McCormick also has two years of starting experience, albeit in a spot role as he filled in for injuries the last two falls. The junior looks entrenched as an everyday starter this year and could be the man tasked with protecting QB Alex van Vuuren’s blindside against DeKalb County.
Others wrestling for starting spots include senior Jase Taylor, juniors Caleb Clark, Hunter Mahler and Kacen Nunley and sophomores Tony Mathis, Jr Mares, Dawson Crouch, Hayden Watts and Braden Herman.
Turner and Isaac Slatton have been working hand-in-hand with the offensive line for years and their continuity could help get an inexperienced group up to speed quick. There were growing pains in last week’s scrimmage against South Pitt, but the team’s mindset isn’t changing.
The Pioneers are leaning into a different mold for their lineman this year and Turner hopes it could pay dividends – both in keeping kids fresh during games and healthy for the long haul.
“We’re probably not going to look as big across the line as we have in the past, but slimming down doesn’t always mean losing strength. We had guys really work hard in the weight room this offseason to get to where they can play a ton of snaps and stay focused and ready,” said Turner. “We can pull guys, move guys around and do some extra things. That should be beneficial for us this year.”
Warren County has 16 more days to get in reps before its debut. The Pioneers will face off with the Tigers at home Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.
Editors Note: This concludes our breakdown of the Pioneer offense. On Friday, Aug. 4, defensive breakdowns will begin with the Pioneer secondary.
Previous breakdowns: QBs (July 26), RBs/wings (July 28), WR/TE (July 30).
