Homecoming festivities commenced with the Warren County High School band playing the national anthem, Nunley Stadium was ringed with parade floats, and the Warren County High School football team played rival Riverdale in a game showing the heart of true competitors.
Warren County struck first when kicker Jakob Morin hit a 34-yard field goal, 3-0, for the lead, albeit a short one, to put some fire in the stands. In the end, the Riverdale Warriors pulled away to take home a 40-15 win -- but they had to earn it.
After the opening FG, the Warriors hit back hard and fast as their big RB Marqwell Odom proved why he was the player to watch this week from Riverdale as he rushed 47 yards for a touchdown, 137 total rushing yards in the ballgame and 3 touchdowns. A 7-yard keeper put the Warriors up 6 more points and a 2-point conversion by Odom left an 11-point margin going into the second quarter, 14-3.
Warren County has been hurt both literally and figuratively by injuries as their answer to Riverdale’s Odom, Pioneer Raleigh Woods, had surgery last week to repair an ACL/MCL knee injury. To top it off, LB Brendon Breedlove left Friday’s game obviously in pain and not to return.
The Pioneer offensive line opened up some gaps for RB Noah Campbell, who has been taking a lot of snaps. Campbell rushed for 48 total yards with 14 touches, the most of any player.
Riverdale’s other RB, Savion Davis, found the end zone and a good PAT made it 21-3. Undaunted, the Pioneers Noah Campbell came up with a safety and Morin hit an even longer 40-yard field goal to make it 21-8 at the half. Warren County was still alive for the Homecoming halftime show.
Riverdale pulled away in the second half with two more scores by Odom, whose size and breakaway speed gave the Pioneers a headache all night long. But with a true never-say-quit attitude, Warren County wasn’t done yet.
A 68-yard run by Pioneer QB Isaiah Grayson set up a 7-yard touchdown scramble by Jacob Rabideau and a good PAT made it 40-15 with a minute remaining. Riverdale took a knee to end the game.
“They have great up-front defense and speed on offense -- a lot of speed – and you can’t coach that,” said Warren County coach Tom Moore. “Riverdale has a talented program that’s pretty deep. I think we stood toe-to-toe with them tonight. We did our best and I tell our players our best is always good enough.”
Warren County varsity football will go on the road to Murfreesboro to play another region rival Friday night in the Oakland Patriots. Game time is 7 p.m.

First Quarter
WCHS - Morin 34-yard field goal 3-0 PIONEERS
RIVERDALE - Odom 47-yard run (PAT blocked)  6-3 WARRIORS
RIVERDALE - Souffront 6-yard run (2-point conversion)  14-3 WARRIORS

Second Quarter
RIVERDALE - Davis 20-yard run (PAT good)  21-3 WARRIORS
WCHS - Campbell safety 21-5 WARRIORS
WCHS - Morin 40-yard field goal 21-8 WARRIORS
 
Third Quarter
RIVERDALE - Odom 19-yard run (PAT missed) 27-8 WARRIORS
RIVERDALE - Odom 20-yard run (PAT good) 34-8 WARRIORS

Fourth Quarter
RIVERDALE - Davis 34-yard run (PAT missed) 40-8 WARRIORS
WCHS - Rabideau 7-yard run (PAT good) 40-15 WARRIORS