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Pioneers lose grip on opener
Isaiah-Grayson
Sophomore Isaiah Grayson had trouble keeping the handle in his first start as the Pioneer varsity quarterback on Friday night versus DeKalb County.
Kyle Robinson
Updated: Aug 22, 2015, 6:48 PM
Published: Aug 22, 2015, 7:49 PM

Warren County has been waiting for the Friday night lights to burn for quite some time. Finally, opening night at Nunley Stadium arrived and it was go time for the 2015 football season.
The Pioneers' first test saw the DeKalb County Tigers roll into town with strong-armed quarterback Steven Jennings, who did not disappoint. With Jennings wheeling and dealing, DeKalb County edged the Pioneers, 23-14.
Warren County didn’t muster much offense through the air, but did pile up yards on the ground. The Pioneers rushed for both their touchdowns, both from Lorenzo Wilson, and managed to get outside the defense for several big gains. Rickie King had some nice runs and Noah Campbell broke a big run down the sideline that led to Warren County’s second score.
Wilson was the top rusher for Warren County with 52 yards. King followed with 42, while Campbell added 22.
The Pioneers finished with 181 total yards of offense, with nearly all of those yards, 143, coming on the ground.
Turnovers didn’t help the Warren County cause as the Pioneers lost three fumbles and threw one interception on a trick play, a halfback pass in the final minutes.
DeKalb County had a costly turnover just when it appeared the Tigers were going in for a touchdown. A fumbled snap cost the Tigers possession when they have first-and-goal from the Pioneer 3.
Jennings scored on runs of six yards and one yard to lead the DeKalb County offense. Tyler Bundy plowed in from one yard out for the other Tiger TD.
Matthew Poss kicked a 39-yard FG for DeKalb County and also made several nice catch and runs on quick slant plays.
Warren County looked impressive moments after receiving the opening kickoff.
The Pioneer offense took the field led by sophomore QB Isaiah Grayson. With Grayson under center, the first snap of the season went to King who picked up six yards on his first carry. On second-and-4, Grayson tucked it away and churned up field for a 31-yard gain. It was all part of the Pioneers having their way with the DeKalb County defense in the opening series.
With the ball down to the Tiger 15, Lorenzo Wilson took the toss outside and he was able to turn the corner and elude the outstretched arms of the defender. Wilson scored on the opening drive in just under three minutes. The extra point put the Pioneers up, 7-0.
It did not take DeKalb County long to respond. Jennings marched the Tigers right down the field. DeKalb County had the ball just outside the red zone at the 21-yard line when a 15-yard scamper down the right side left them first-and-goal from the Pioneer 6.
A hard run back to the right side appeared to get punched into the end zone. The officials discussed the spot and it was ruled the runner’s knee was down at the half-yard line. Jennings kept the ball and blasted his way through for a DeKalb County touchdown. The extra-point was missed and the Tigers trailed 7-6.
For its next score, DeKalb County took advantage of a Warren County fumble to get a short field. The Tigers took over on the 15-yard line, but went mostly backward thanks to two holding penalties.
Despite going for negative yards on the offensive possession, DeKalb County still remained in FG range. Poss kicked a 39-yard to give DeKalb County a 9-7 lead - one that remained through halftime.
In the third quarter, DeKalb County drove the ball right into the heart of the defense with precision passing. The Tigers were first-and-goal on the Pioneer 3 when Jennings lost the handle and Warren County recovered.
Pioneer Raleigh Woods ran the ball on first down for a short gain. Two plays later, Warren County was forced to punt and this time DeKalb County was ready.
DeKalb County took over in Warren County territory. It looked like the Pioneers might dodge a bullet with third-and-10, but Poss broke free down field for a 23-yard completion and the Tigers had the ball first-and-goal at the Pioneer 1. It was Jennings on the keeper rolling to his right for a DeKalb County touchdown. After the extra point was made, the Tigers led 16-7.
Warren County answered the call and marched its offense right back down the field. The drive started with a 30-yard burst by King. Campbell got involved in the run game and he turned up the juice with a 15-yard carry on a run that was much longer but was partly called back due to a holding penalty downfield.
The ground game continued to gain yardage, setting up Wilson who took the hand-off from the 8-yard line and exploded through the Tiger defense for the second Warren County TD. The extra point was good and the Pioneers trailed 16-14 just before the end of the third.
After a huge defensive stop, the Pioneers were poised to regain possession with the chance to claim the lead. However, a bobbled punt gave the ball right back to the Tigers.
It wound up being a huge break for DeKalb County. Two plays later, the Tigers were in the endzone for a touchdown and put the game just far enough out of reach. The extra-point was made and the Tigers led 23-14.
The Pioneers will be on the road the next four games and the first stop for Warren County will be Lebanon with a game time scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday.
WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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Matt Tyson
Published: Apr 2, 2025, 10:16 PM

One day after a close home win over Cumberland County Thursday night, the Warren County baseball team was back on the road for a weekend tournament slate. Taking part in the Viking Classic, the Pioneers went 2-2 across Friday and Saturday’s contests.

Kicking things off against Huntland at Tullahoma High School Friday evening, Warren County notched its third straight victory with a 4-3 decision over the Hornets.

Sam Robinson had three of the team’s eight hits. Ryder Gilispie followed with two. Tyler Adams, Jerren Harris and Keaton Rowe each added one hit.

Gilispie and Harris were both credited with one RBI each.

Adams, Robinson, Gilispie and Adrian Harris each scored one run.

On the mound, Miguel Garcia pitched four innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two hits, three runs and four walks. Keagan Thompson followed for two innings, striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers were held scoreless in an 8-0 shutout against the host Wildcats. Robinson had Warren County’s lone hit of the game.

Hayven Jones pitched 1.1 innings, recording one strikeout, four hits, seven runs and two walks. Jerren Harris came on for 2.2 innings, finishing with two hits, one run and four walks.

Back in action for day two of the tournament at Cascade High School, the Pioneers bounced back with a 9-8 win over the host Champions Saturday morning.

The team finished with nine hits, led by Adams and Robinson with two each. Gilispie, Jerren Harris, Adrian Harris, Woogs Bryan and Corban Felton all added one.

Bryan led the team in RBI with four of its eight. Gilispie, Felton, Jerren Harris and Brady Norris each brought in one.

Jaytton Baker went 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out five and coming off with eight hits and five runs. Lealon Arnold followed for 1.2 innings, striking out one and adding two hits and three runs. Gilispie pitched for one inning and recorded two strikeouts and one hit.

Closing out the weekend against Alabama’s Heritage Christian, Warren County came out on the losing end of a 14-6 contest. At the plate, Jerren Harris led the way with two of the team’s eight hits. Adams, Gilispie, Bryan, Felton, Adrian Harris and Evan Snapp all followed with one each.

The Pioneers posted four RBI, with two each for Adams and Snapp.

Snapp had two of the team’s six runs, with one each for Adams, Gilispie, Felton and Jones.

Braden Whinnery pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits, five runs and one walk. Rowe followed for 0.2 innings, adding four hits and five runs. Up next was Keagan Thompson, who went one inning and came off with five hits and four runs. Daylen Holguin wrapped up the day, striking out one and allowing one hit over 0.2 innings.

WCHS softball goes 1-3 through weekend

The Lady Pioneers got their Southern Warrior Classic schedule started with a game against Summertown Friday evening, a matchup in which they fell 10-1.

Warren County finished with six hits, with two each for Ky Damon, Lola Wells and Kaydence Wiser.

Wiser had a home run in the top of the fourth inning for the team’s lone run.

In the circle, Ceilee Gudat pitched 3.1 innings and finished with one strikeout, nine hits, 10 runs and two walks. Kyaira Sharpe followed for the game’s remainder, closing out the last 0.2 innings.

The Lady Pioneers were again bested in their second Friday night game, falling 10-2 to Moline (Ill.).

Wells led the Warren County hitting effort with two of the team’s six. Damon, Callie Roberts, Cortlyn Porter and Ali Young each added one.

Wells and Lily Rains had one run each.

Ruby Denning had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, 10 runs and three walks across all four innings.

The Lady Pioneers had better luck in their Saturday morning opener, flying ahead with an 11-run fifth inning to take down Illinois’s Oswego East 15-9.

Warren County racked up 12 hits over the course of the game, with two each for Rains, Wells, Sharpe, Porter and Addison Smith. This included home runs for both Wells and Smith. Damon and Young both added one hit each.

Smith led the Lady Pioneers in RBI with four of their 15, followed by Sharpe with three. Rains and Wells both had two RBI. Damon, Wiser, Porter and Young all tacked on one.

Sharpe pitched the first four innings and came out with 13 hits, nine runs and two walks. Denning added one hit across one inning.

Warren County was unable to duplicate this in their final game of the weekend later that afternoon, falling 3-2 to Stewarts Creek.

The team notched six hits, with two each for Rains and Porter. Damon and Wiser both added one hit.

Rains had the Lady Pioneers’ lone RBI.

On the rubber, Gudat pitched all five innings, striking out three and finishing the day with five hits, three runs and one walk.