A winless team will be making its way to Nunley Stadium tonight when the Siegel Stars come to McMinnville for high school football action.
For the Pioneers, it will be a chance to notch their second win of the season. Warren County is 1-2 at home this year and faces a Siegel defense surrendering more than 40 points a game.
The Stars, like the Pioneers, are a young team struggling to find a place in the TSSAA’s new super 32 district. Both the Pioneers and Stars have faced many of the same teams this season and neither has enjoyed much success.
Warren County collected its only win over Sequatchie County. The Pioneer defense played a stellar game against a team with a talented backfield.
The Siegel Stars have an overall record of 0-8. The Stars offense does find ways to score and has put 30 points on the board twice this season -- once versus Blackman last week and once versus Oakland on Sept 4. The Pioneers struggled against Oakland and only posted seven points.
The Stars have their QB and top running back returning from last season. Reported by the Daily News Journal, Stars QB Jordan Middleton looks much more relaxed in his second year as a starter. He is clearly more confident at the line of scrimmage, the newspaper reports.
Greedy Howse is a senior who rushed for nearly 1,000 yards in 2014. He provides both power and speed out of the backfield. Experience is another huge part of Howse’s run game as he provides much of the offense from behind the QB.
If the Stars backfield can establish its running game, it will open up passing lanes for Middleton to attack through the air. His offensive line is large with guys anywhere from 6-feet tall to 6-foot-5. The Pioneer defense will have to dig deep to keep the Stars offense off the field.
The Stars have depth on the defensive line led by senior Michael Tewell, junior Dalton Franz, and sophomore Devin Wright. The defensive front will get a little extra help on the end from 6-foot-3 Joseph Anderson.
Defensively, Siegel has surrendered an average of 46 points per game this season. Warren County has given up an average of 36 points this season.
Warren County needs everyone to outshine the Stars tonight. RB Raleigh Woods has missed a couple of games due to injury and the Pioneers have missed his smash-mouth style of running. Jordan Bonner is another back for the Pioneers who has had bright spots. RB Rickie King has provided consistency and flashed big-play ability.
Pioneer QB Isaiah Grayson can rebound after he struggled against Coffee County last week. It was obvious to the Pioneer faithful during last week’s loss, Warren County was more than a little off its game.
There are only two home games left for the Pioneers and tonight’s Pink Out game is expected to be interesting with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.