The WCHS Pioneer football team continued to gear up for its scrimmage against Giles County during Wednesday’s practice.
The Pioneers will see where they are as a team today at Nunley Stadium at 6 p.m. in a spring game against the Bobcats. If it rains, the scrimmage will take place in the new sports complex at WCHS at the same time.
The Pioneers continue to improve in practice, according to coach Tom Moore, particularly on the offensive line. They saw a familiar face in quarterback Isaiah Grayson's return after he recovered from an injury.
Coach Moore said the Pioneers will benefit from a new offense and defense this year.
“We are running the wing-T on offense,” said Moore. “We feel Raleigh Woods will be the centerpiece of our offense from his fullback position. Raleigh is one of the strongest boys I have ever coached. He is very quick for his size at 250 pounds.”
Woods missed more than half of last season because of a stress fracture in his foot. Most of the workload in the running game last year fell on Rickie King. Coach Moore said Woods’ work ethic has been outstanding so far this spring. 
Moore talked highly about other key members of the offense.
“I have been impressed with the improvement and maturation of our two returning wide receivers, McCall Turner and Tyree Ladett. We need them to become playmakers. Also we are blessed with three very capable tight ends with Hunter Hawkins, Mitchell Stembridge, who is a big body who can also catch the football downfield, and Krojhn Calbert.”
On defense, the Pioneers hope to improve. Coach Moore said the Pioneers need to minimize big plays from their opponents.
“We play a number of teams who are talented and loaded with speed,” said Moore. “This spring we have been working on getting more people to the football. We must be better in third-down defensive situations this season.”
Moore added, “On defense were are still running a three-man defensive line but we will have three backers rather than two. It’s called a three stack.”
Brendan Breedlove and Logan Dyer both return as linebackers and Trayton Rackley is a newcomer who coach Moore believes will make things happen. Jaden Crisp is another returner at defensive end but he will line up at middle linebacker this season. Moore says Crisp is physical and can move.
“He has a nose for the football and we think he will be a natural at linebacker,” said Moore.
Coach Moore said he has been particularly impressed with the work of the offensive and defensive lines so far this spring.
“Justin Holt is another returning starter from last season. He will really get after you,” said Moore. “We are going to use some of our offensive linemen like Justin and Ethan Stuart on defense this season.”
“We need to look at several of our running backs and see how they do under fire in a live situation,” said Moore of another thing he will be evaluating Friday night.
Moore said he is confident the Pioneers would play hard against Giles County.