The Warren County High School football team will travel to Crossville for the second time this season Friday to play its final game. The Pioneers will take on District 6-AAA rival Cumberland County at 7 p.m. as both teams battle to stay out of last place.
Warren County and Cumberland County each enter the game at 1-8 and know it will be the last time the teams strap on the pads this year.
It’s been a sobering season for the Pioneers, who came into the year hoping to build off a 3-7 season and make the playoffs. Instead, Warren County has suffered numerous setbacks, including losing in overtime in its first visit to Crossville.
Stone Memorial hit a tying field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter and went on to beat the Pioneers 41-38 in overtime.
Cumberland County was on the opposite end of the spectrum to start the year. The Jets had lost 17 straight games going into the season. The streak got up to 23 games before Cumberland County went on the road to beat Sweetwater 27-13 Oct. 11. The Jets have followed it up with losses to Cookeville and Grundy County.
Both team also share the same 0-4 district record. The Pioneers have been more competitive in their losses, having dropped their games to White County by seven, Stone Memorial by three, Cookeville by 18 and Rhea County by 34. Meanwhile, the Jets have fallen to the Warriors by 28, the Panthers by 30, the Cavaliers by 41 and the Eagles by 56.
Warren County will try to break a five-game losing streak when the team suits up against the Jets. The Pioneers will have 15 seniors playing their final game, including a few looking to set records before they leave.
Senior Hunter Mullican needs 69 more yards to become the record holder for yards in a season. Mullican currently has 1,375 yards. Mullican also needs four touchdowns to tie the career mark held by Randy Mullican.
Wide receiver D’Andre League can break Chris Madewell’s record for receptions in a season – 43 set in 1991 – with five catches Friday. League and fellow senior Lee Carden rank No. 1 and 2 respectively in career receptions.