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Ready for Rebels
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Two players who will help define the success of the Pioneers Friday night are explosive running backs sophomore Jaythan Pleasant, left, and junior Braylon Grayson. They have shown they can make big runs in any game for Warren County. - photo by Brad Durham
Brad Durham
Updated: Oct 22, 2021, 1:00 AM
Published: Oct 22, 2021, 1:38 AM

The Pioneers travel to Franklin County on Friday and renew a rivalry that has been dormant for over a decade. The two rural football teams are similar in many ways, but Franklin County (4-4) is a 5A team and Warren County (1-5) is in a larger classification, 6A. 

Franklin County is riding a four-game winning streak and Warren County has lost its last four games. On paper, Franklin County may appear to be the favorite, yet Warren County has had a good week of practice. There are legitimate reasons to be optimistic about the Pioneers’ chances against Franklin County.


FRANKLIN COUNTY OVERVIEW

One similarity between the teams is Franklin County head coach Justin Cunningham is a hometown guy coaching his hometown team, which mirrors Matt Turner at Warren County. Another similarity is the young linemen the Rebels have on the offensive line – three sophomores will start for them.

One difference is Franklin County has played eight games versus Warren County’s six. More game experience has given Franklin County time to develop young players. Coach Cunningham said, “I felt like last week was the first game where the kids were buying in. It was the first week I felt like we played for 48 minutes.”

Cunningham explained how his team has worked hard on getting better. Cunningham said, “We have started conditioning before practice so that we work on our assignments and plays when we are tired, like in a game. The ninth game of the season is when we want to see no lack of effort, no blown assignments. It has been 12 years since we have been to the playoffs, and we are going this year as either the No. 3 or 4 seed in our region.”

Playmakers for the Rebels are all players the Pioneers will see again next year. Quarterback Keandre Johnson, No. 5, is a junior. Nashawn Holman, No. 1, a junior is Johnson’s favorite receiver (271 yards) and the third leading rusher (323 yards). The No. 1 running back is junior Emmanuel Scott, No. 11, who has 525 yards rushing. Sophomore Eric Jones, No. 7, is the second-leading rusher with 483 yards.

WARREN COUNTY

OVERVIEW

The Pioneers have enjoyed a good week of practice. Players are coming in asking for help studying film and assignments. Players have evolved to start and receive playing time who were not on the varsity depth chart at the beginning of the season. What a long, strange trip is has been through the first 8-9 weeks of the season.

A junior, Collin Panter has moved into the starting rotation at defensive end and tight end, with some time at tackle over the past few weeks. This week Panter is going to start at center. 

Collin discussed the changes of moving to center, “Getting off the ball as soon as you snap it is the hardest part. They are right there on the ball, so as soon as you snap, they are moving too. I picked up a completely new skill this week moving to center. Me and other linemen have been pushing each other after practice to get to the line faster. I want to beat Franklin County, 100%!”

Defensive coordinator Camron Bond thought practice went well during the week. Bond said, “They came out here with a focus. They have been communicating to each other. They have been getting to the ball, and when they do that, I can correct what they are doing. We have to be prepared for Franklin County. Seeing two different styles of offense makes you learn what to do.”

WCHS head coach Matt Turner was pleased with the week of practice as well. Turner said, “I have seen this team grow up this week, to become more mature. They are taking more responsibility. And they have learned that if they do what we ask them to do in practice, it can be fun. I saw Collin Panter move over to center, and Chandler McCormick slide over to tackle and Darius Rippy move over to guard. They were knocking people around, having fun.”

Turner continued, “They are starting to be able to be coached as a varsity team. I am tickled to death with Andrew Miller. He texted me early this morning, and he wanted to know if I would be available at 2:00 to go over some plays and assignments. We got together and it was a good moment. He is starting to learn and watch film. It is sinking in for him.”


GENERAL OVERVIEW

The Pioneer backfield will be virtually identical to what it has been the past few weeks. Nate Elrod will start at quarterback, and Braylon Grayson, Keldrick Cox, Eli Cantrell, and Jaythan Pleasant will be rotating at tailback and wingbacks. Alex van Vuuren may relieve Nate Elrod at quarterback to give Elrod some rest from playing both offense and defense.

Friday night’s forecast calls for excellent fall weather that will be ideal for high school football. The stadium at Franklin County is approximately 45 minutes from McMinnville. Fans are encouraged to go to the game and support the Pioneers against an old rival.
WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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Matt Tyson
Published: Apr 2, 2025, 10:16 PM

One day after a close home win over Cumberland County Thursday night, the Warren County baseball team was back on the road for a weekend tournament slate. Taking part in the Viking Classic, the Pioneers went 2-2 across Friday and Saturday’s contests.

Kicking things off against Huntland at Tullahoma High School Friday evening, Warren County notched its third straight victory with a 4-3 decision over the Hornets.

Sam Robinson had three of the team’s eight hits. Ryder Gilispie followed with two. Tyler Adams, Jerren Harris and Keaton Rowe each added one hit.

Gilispie and Harris were both credited with one RBI each.

Adams, Robinson, Gilispie and Adrian Harris each scored one run.

On the mound, Miguel Garcia pitched four innings, finishing with four strikeouts, two hits, three runs and four walks. Keagan Thompson followed for two innings, striking out two.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers were held scoreless in an 8-0 shutout against the host Wildcats. Robinson had Warren County’s lone hit of the game.

Hayven Jones pitched 1.1 innings, recording one strikeout, four hits, seven runs and two walks. Jerren Harris came on for 2.2 innings, finishing with two hits, one run and four walks.

Back in action for day two of the tournament at Cascade High School, the Pioneers bounced back with a 9-8 win over the host Champions Saturday morning.

The team finished with nine hits, led by Adams and Robinson with two each. Gilispie, Jerren Harris, Adrian Harris, Woogs Bryan and Corban Felton all added one.

Bryan led the team in RBI with four of its eight. Gilispie, Felton, Jerren Harris and Brady Norris each brought in one.

Jaytton Baker went 3.1 innings on the bump, striking out five and coming off with eight hits and five runs. Lealon Arnold followed for 1.2 innings, striking out one and adding two hits and three runs. Gilispie pitched for one inning and recorded two strikeouts and one hit.

Closing out the weekend against Alabama’s Heritage Christian, Warren County came out on the losing end of a 14-6 contest. At the plate, Jerren Harris led the way with two of the team’s eight hits. Adams, Gilispie, Bryan, Felton, Adrian Harris and Evan Snapp all followed with one each.

The Pioneers posted four RBI, with two each for Adams and Snapp.

Snapp had two of the team’s six runs, with one each for Adams, Gilispie, Felton and Jones.

Braden Whinnery pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and surrendering seven hits, five runs and one walk. Rowe followed for 0.2 innings, adding four hits and five runs. Up next was Keagan Thompson, who went one inning and came off with five hits and four runs. Daylen Holguin wrapped up the day, striking out one and allowing one hit over 0.2 innings.

WCHS softball goes 1-3 through weekend

The Lady Pioneers got their Southern Warrior Classic schedule started with a game against Summertown Friday evening, a matchup in which they fell 10-1.

Warren County finished with six hits, with two each for Ky Damon, Lola Wells and Kaydence Wiser.

Wiser had a home run in the top of the fourth inning for the team’s lone run.

In the circle, Ceilee Gudat pitched 3.1 innings and finished with one strikeout, nine hits, 10 runs and two walks. Kyaira Sharpe followed for the game’s remainder, closing out the last 0.2 innings.

The Lady Pioneers were again bested in their second Friday night game, falling 10-2 to Moline (Ill.).

Wells led the Warren County hitting effort with two of the team’s six. Damon, Callie Roberts, Cortlyn Porter and Ali Young each added one.

Wells and Lily Rains had one run each.

Ruby Denning had one strikeout and gave up eight hits, 10 runs and three walks across all four innings.

The Lady Pioneers had better luck in their Saturday morning opener, flying ahead with an 11-run fifth inning to take down Illinois’s Oswego East 15-9.

Warren County racked up 12 hits over the course of the game, with two each for Rains, Wells, Sharpe, Porter and Addison Smith. This included home runs for both Wells and Smith. Damon and Young both added one hit each.

Smith led the Lady Pioneers in RBI with four of their 15, followed by Sharpe with three. Rains and Wells both had two RBI. Damon, Wiser, Porter and Young all tacked on one.

Sharpe pitched the first four innings and came out with 13 hits, nine runs and two walks. Denning added one hit across one inning.

Warren County was unable to duplicate this in their final game of the weekend later that afternoon, falling 3-2 to Stewarts Creek.

The team notched six hits, with two each for Rains and Porter. Damon and Wiser both added one hit.

Rains had the Lady Pioneers’ lone RBI.

On the rubber, Gudat pitched all five innings, striking out three and finishing the day with five hits, three runs and one walk.