Warren County’s varsity football team travels to Murfreesboro tonight to face a tough challenge in undefeated region rival the Oakland Patriots.
The Pioneers (0-3, 1-4) ran the ball for over 200 yards versus Smyrna last week showing the team can generate offense on the ground. The Patriots blanked Coffee County, 62-0, last week in Manchester. Oakland (3-0, 5-0) has a bulldozer of an offense, outscoring all opponents 235-20 this season, including three shutouts.
“We’re going to do the best we can,” said WCHS head football coach Tom Moore. “We’re excited about the game and going to give it 100 percent. We have to work on the fundamentals and get the right people in the right positions to be successful. We’ve improved over the last year and have a strong senior class.”
The Warren County goal is not to be one-dimensional, but the Pioneers haven’t been doing well in the air this year. Where Warren County struggles with the passing game, Oakland excels.
The Patriots No. 1 receiver, JaCoby Stevens, senior WR/safety and LSU commitment, will have to be covered well. Stevens has 372 yards receiving, 4 TDs, 4 INTs, and 2 special teams TDs. In order to avoid allowing Oakland to just stay focused on the run, Warren County’s challenge will be to change things up during the contest.
Pioneer Jaden Crisp is one to watch for Warren County. Crisp is a versatile player and three-year starter. He is quick to the football and an excellent pass rusher. He also serves as one of the team’s captains.
“We need to get better at defense,” Crisp said. “I’m working hard at the linebacker position.”
Since Warren County was moved into 6A, Region 2, two years ago, their opponents have become less locally oriented and more big-school oriented. Rutherford County has been listed many years as one of the country’s fastest growing communities.
Oakland’s Patriots are rated 68th in the country and third in the state. Since entering the new division, Warren County is rated 7,018 in the country and 185th in the state.
The game will be held at Oakland High School in Murfreesboro. Game time is 7 p.m.