“One family, one team.”
Matt Turner is a walking quote machine, but the new WCHS football coach uses one as a message more than any other. It’s one he uses as he attempts to rally the entire community around the Pioneers.
“One family. One team. It’s what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Turner after attending the WCMS scrimmage Tuesday night. “I feel like it’s important for me to be there and help out. We have so many new kids who have not been involved in organized sports. Even our coaches, who have the potential to be good coaches, are almost as green as the players.
“All these new faces are at the foundation of what we’re trying to do.”
Turner and fellow new coach Ben Matheney, hired as the WCMS coach earlier this year, have injected new life into the programs. A year after Warren County struggled to produce 100 players in pads from ages 6-18, Turner and Matheney have seen over 150 players attend spring practice.
Turner had almost 70 players at his varsity practice, with spring-sport athletes expected to grow the number in the fall. He also had over 40 incoming freshmen attend a three-day spring camp, the first Turner remembers in over 20 years.
Matheney followed up with bringing out nearly 50 kids for WCMS spring practice, which concluded with a scrimmage against Franklin North. He’s all-in on keeping the flow of talent from the middle school to the high school in the coming years.
“We’re making it like one team. It’s all Pioneer football,” said Matheney. “For the high school to have success, we have to be able to attract players and keep them playing. For that to happen, they have to know they have a friendly face when they go to high school.”
Turner has already become the face for the program.
He’s been a fixture at WCMS meetings, as well as working to bring more players to his expanding group at the high school. He's not slowing down in spreading his message either.
“It’s important for the coaching staff and the (WCMS) kids to see me and know they are a huge investment,” said Turner. “I want them to know we’re looking at the big picture. Step one was to get the kids out. Step two is preparing them to play under the lights.”
Turner will get back to work Tuesday, when workouts begin at the high school. Matheney will resume summer workouts June 10, where he hopes upcoming sixth-graders join the fold.
Spots are open, but they’re filling swiftly.
