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.