Due to my job, I get to see and hear things on the sidelines, in locker rooms and at practice that fans don't. It's great to get the inside access so I always have a scoop, but I didn't need to hear anything said after Friday's game against Sparta. I walked right out to my truck and took off knowing what was going to be addressed by the coaches already.

The Pioneers simply didn't have the same effort and fight against the Warriors as they did in the opener against DeKalb County. Because of it, they're now 1-1 after being beaten up by Tripp Pinion and the rest of his crew from Sparta.

Trust me, I hate calling out effort of teenagers, all of which work harder to be in shape and to represent Warren County than I ever did at their age. It's no fun and they don't need me to pile on, but watching the game Friday, it was evident, especially in the second half.

When the teams came out of the locker rooms, it was anybody's game. After a couple minutes, it was Pinion's game and the Pioneers were just there to be on his highlight reel. The last of Pinion's four rushing TDs will be the one I'm sure the Pioneer coaching staff will show on a loop this week. 

Pinion broke to the outside - his route paved by wipeout blocks - and left one Pioneer grasping at air before he walked into the endzone. Four Pioneers were in the area, all maybe capable of hitting the Sparta QB before the goal line, but none were going full speed as Pinion scored.

There's plenty of reasons why: it was ridiculously hot all game and their legs were drained, it was already over at that point and taking a hit there may be a cheap shot and - maybe the biggest one - Pinion had made players miss all night even when they were going full speed. Still, it was the kind of play coaches will pick out to preach more effort as the season goes along.

A season isn't lost because of one loss, but the amazing feeling of accomplishment of winning that season opener - a game where Warren County fought to dig out of a 14-0 hole - was replaced by a devastating loss just seven days later. Sometimes the highest highs are followed by the lowest lows though.

Warren County can ride a wave of excitement again sometime this season, but it won't happen without finding that same fight and effort as Squad 55 had on opening night.