The talk all week for the Pioneers was making anybody but Tripp Pinion beat them when they squared off with the Warriors. Saying it was expected, doing it proved to be much harder.
Pinion, one of the state’s leading rushers after two weeks, ripped apart the Pioneers in the second half in an eventual 35-6 blowout at Nunley Stadium. The junior Sparta QB accounted for all five of his team’s scores, including four rushing TDs after halftime to put the Pioneers away on their home turf.
Warren County (0-1) trailed just 8-6 at the break, but had just 65 yards of offense after the break and couldn’t keep up with Pinion’s breakout performance. Sparta’s signal caller broke TD runs of 62, 20, 35 and 14 yards in the second half on his way to 262-yard performance in the border battle.
“It was back and forth in the first half and neither team really could get out of its own way. We had chances to seize control and so did they, but we both went into the locker rooms in a tight game,” said coach Matt Turner. “We were in a similar situation last week and were able to pull that one out, but this one got away from us. We just didn’t make the plays and they did.”
The night got off to a rough start for the Pioneers when QB Alex van Vuuren was picked off on the second play. Warren County was able to shake it off though, thanks largely to a third-down sack that dropped Pinion for a 15-yard loss where he had trouble handling a high snap and lost his footing while being chased by Silas Martin.
Warren County, held to just 128 yards after a breakout showing in the opener against DeKalb County, found a little promise on its second drive when PJ Truax busted an 11-yard run, but it was quickly diminished as the drive ended in a punt. The Pioneers weren’t without the ball long as Pinion was stripped near midfield three plays later and senior Aiden Miller jumped on the fumble.
Again though, the Pioneers couldn’t sustain momentum on offense or move the ball. Another three-and-out gave Sparta the ball back and Pinion went to work on the ground and through the air. He ran and threw his team all the way down the Pioneer 10, but Warren County bowed up in the redzone and forced a fourth-and-goal at its own 12.
Pinion tried to get in on a scramble, but the Pioneers forced him out of bounds and took over the ball at their own 6. Warren County gave it away two plays later as van Vuuren was picked for the second time in the first half.
Taking over in prime position, Pinion was able to hit Antonio Purvis with a 10-yard TD pass to start the scoring. Purvis made an incredible catch, diving for the ball and staying just inside the line to put Sparta on the board. Pinion added 2-point conversion to make it 8-0 midway through the second quarter.
The Pioneers answered right back. Van Vuuren busted out of his slow start by hitting Truax for a 20-yard gain to convert a third-and-long near midfield, then went back to one of his favorite targets this year for the score.
Van Vuuren was able to connect with Kal Latina over the middle at the Sparta 22 and the junior transfer did the rest. Latina weaved in and out of several Sparta defenders while criss-crossing the field, ultimately avoiding two men at the goal line for a wild score. It was Latina’s second TD catch in two games, both showcasing his tremendous athleticism around the red zone.
Warren County wanted to go for 2 to try and tie, but a penalty pushed the team out of range and Garryn Duggin’s PAT was blocked, leaving the Pioneers trailing by two at the break.
Pinion took over once the teams were back on the field. He called his number over and over in the second half, including ripping off a 35-yard run through the heart of the Pioneer defense three plays into the third quarter.
When the Pioneers punted the Warriors back to their own 17, Pinion was ready again. He had a 20-yard carry before busting away on a 62-yard score where he outran the entire Warren County defense down the visiting sideline.
By the time Pinion punched it in two more times, including a last score in the fourth where he dropped two Pioneer defenders with dazzling moves before walking into the endzone, any comeback hopes were dashed.
The Pioneers were able to salvage some spark late by the play of backup QB Brady Swallows and freshman Kristopher Robledo. Swallows made the most of his late opportunity, driving the Pioneers into the redzone before they were ultimately turned away.
His favorite target was Kristopher, who made his first two career catches for 19 yards on the drive. He also had a six-yard run to pick up a third down.
Warren County will have to regroup quickly as it opens Region 4-6A play next week on the road at Lebanon. The Blue Devils are 1-1 this season after a 24-14 loss to Upperman Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
