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Willmore speaks on reclassificiation
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The first shoe fell Thursday when the TSSAA officially announced the 32 schools which will make up the 6A football class next year. Now, Warren County High School administration members are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Athletic director Todd Willmore is still awaiting word on how the regions will be configured for next year. In the meantime, Willmore – like most Pioneer fans – waits with a bit of frustration as things are still being sorted out.
“There have been a number of scenarios mentioned for Warren County and where we might end up, but unfortunately all are pure speculation,” said Willmore. “That has been one of the most frustrating parts of this whole process. Regardless of where we end up, it would be nice to have some sort of indication.”
Not knowing the details from the TSSAA isn’t from a lack of effort by Willmore and the WCHS administration. Willmore has spoken to members of the TSSAA several times over the course of the football season.
Those talks, along with phone calls and petitions from Pioneer fans, had the TSSAA listening to what Warren County had to say.
“We have spoken with TSSAA officials a number of times regarding which option would be best for our football program. They have been sympathetic to our situation, but ultimately it boils down to enrollment numbers and geography,” said Willmore. “Like many educational programs, I believe the intent is good, but it may take some time to ensure it is fair and equitable for all involved."
A positive the TSSAA pointed out from its initial decision is all 32 teams will automatically qualify for the playoffs. Warren County hasn’t played in the postseason since 2008 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 1983. Willmore isn’t in full agreement with the TSSAA turning an automatic playoff berth into a positive though.
“I’m not sure I agree with all 'Super 32' teams making the playoffs,” said Willmore. “It is our job as coaches to ensure our student-athletes understand the importance of perseverance and grit. If we give them the impression it is fine to coast to the end of a practice, game, or season, I do not believe our players will be properly prepared or motivated physically and mentally to perform at their best.”
Of course, the move to 6A could be a temporary change.
“There are a number of schools whose enrollment numbers will continue to rise the next two years. Several 5A schools would probably like to move up too, but will wait and see how it all plays out before they consider making the move,” said Willmore.
The district alignments put in place two years ago are scheduled to be revisited following the 2016-17 school year.
Knowing geography will play a big part in deciding how the regions will be drawn up, Willmore says, “It’s not hard to figure out where we’ll be.” Warren County is likely to face some, or all four, of the Murfreesboro schools which will be in the 6A region.
The original plan was to divide the 32 teams into four regions, but Willmore prefers the idea of eight four-team regions.
“The one scenario I believe would be more appealing for us is dividing the Super 32 into eight regions, which would enable each team to play their regional opponents and complete their schedule with the other regions and/or traditional rivalries,” said Willmore.
Willmore expects to know soon which region Warren County will be placed in and will have one week to petition for a change. The TSSAA is asking all schools for their input, but only if it presents a logical alternative for all schools.
“We have to be a problem solver, not a problem creator. We would have to propose a viable option that is fair and equitable to all schools, not just Warren County."

WCHS baseball, softball compete in weekend tournaments
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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.