Sports Calendar: Aug. 31-Sept. 5

August is giving way to September, but the fall sports season is only getting busier across Warren County.

WCHS football gets another shot at its first win Friday night at Nunley Stadium, while Lady Pioneer volleyball dives into a packed week that includes two district matches and a weekend tournament. WCHS girls soccer will look to build on a strong start to district play, with cross country and golf also hitting the road for multiple events.

At the middle school level, WCMS football returns to action after an unexpected week off, while volleyball looks to build on a bounce-back victory and girls soccer tries to remain perfect in district play.

Another chance awaits at Nunley

The Pioneers battle Livingston Academy in the trenches Friday night. Warren County will look for a cleaner performance this week after penalties and other miscues proved costly in its second straight close loss.

The Pioneers have been painfully close through two weeks. Friday brings another chance to finally break through.

Warren County gets another opportunity at home Friday, Sept. 4, welcoming Hunters Lane to Nunley Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Pioneers enter the matchup 0-2 after another frustrating finish Friday against Livingston Academy. Warren County built a 21-7 advantage late in the third quarter, only to watch the Wildcats score the final 20 points and escape with a 27-21 victory on a touchdown with just 2.1 seconds remaining.

A.J. Whitman continued to provide a major spark in his second varsity start at quarterback. The junior rushed 16 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a 76-yard scoring run immediately after Livingston tied the game early in the second quarter.

Whitman has rushed for more than 350 yards through the opening two weeks and continues to draw praise from coach Eric Belew.

“A.J. did a great job running the ball,” Belew said after the loss to the Wildcats. “He's just super tough, he's electric, he's a fighter, he's selfless and he's growing every week. I can't wait to see the player that he's going to become.”

Warren County also received a rushing touchdown from Cameron Redmore against Livingston, while Dylan Aguilar and Kayden Solomon helped the Pioneers find success on the ground.

The bigger issue was sustaining that success.

Penalties repeatedly derailed drives, particularly in the second half, and a blocked punt helped Livingston erase the two-touchdown deficit. Warren County still had a chance to answer after the Wildcats tied the game, but another promising drive was undone by penalties before Livingston marched for the game-winning score.

“We made some big plays, but we just can't afford to have that many penalties,” Belew said. “We've got to start blocking with our technique and trusting what we're being coached to do in big moments, and that starts with me as the head coach.”

Hunters Lane could provide the Pioneers with an opportunity to get back on track.

The Warriors went 0-10 last season and have endured five consecutive losing campaigns. Warren County dominated last year's meeting 48-6 in Nashville, a victory that snapped a 21-game losing streak and sparked a three-game winning streak during Belew's first season.

Lady Pioneers dive into packed slate

**The Lady Pioneers got back on track with a sweep of Smyrna on Thursday and will look to carry that strong finish into a packed week of action. (Photo not from game)**

The WCHS volleyball team will barely have time to catch its breath this week.

The Lady Pioneers open the week with back-to-back District 7-3A home matches against Lebanon on Monday and Stewarts Creek on Tuesday, then hit the road to face White County on Thursday before wrapping up the week at the Choo Choo Classic in Chattanooga on Friday and Saturday.

Warren County enters the week 4-2 overall and 3-1 in district play after an up-and-down road trip last week.

The Lady Pioneers suffered their first loss Monday at Coffee County, falling 3-1 after dropping the opening two sets by identical 25-14 scores. Warren County showed some fight by taking the third 27-25 before Coffee County closed out the match 25-16 in the fourth.

Warren County returned to district play the next night at Cookeville and suffered a straight-set loss, but coach Erin Blalock was much more encouraged by the performance.

“It’s a really good Cookeville team, but our girls played right with them, erased deficits and kept themselves in the sets,” Blalock said following the loss to the Lady Cavs. “I’m proud of how they played.”

Warren County finally broke through Thursday, traveling to Smyrna and sweeping the Lady Bulldogs 25-16, 25-11 and 25-17 to snap the two-match skid.

Blalock pointed to improved serve receive and back-row play as major differences, while Oleksik and Brynlee Chisam helped Warren County spread its attack around the net. Payne also came up with several key blocks.

“The girls really came in determined to turn this week around,” Blalock said following the victory. “Our serve receive was much better tonight and it showed in how we were able to execute our style of play.”

That response gives Warren County some positive energy entering a stretch that could have a major impact on the district standings.

WCHS soccer eyes another big week

**Addison Steakley contributed to both of Warren County’s victories last week, scoring against Smyrna and adding an assist in the Lady Pioneers’ district-opening win at Lincoln County.**

The WCHS girls soccer team enters another two-match week with plenty of confidence.

Warren County will travel to Winchester Tuesday for a District 9-3A matchup against Franklin County before returning home Thursday to host Tullahoma in non-district action.

The Lady Pioneers improved to 3-1 overall and began district play 1-0 last week with victories over Smyrna and Lincoln County.

Warren County rolled past Smyrna 4-0 Tuesday behind four different goal scorers. Addison Steakley, Noelle Bratcher, Giselle Escamilla and Isabella Rodriguez all found the net, while freshman goalkeeper Kinsley Simpson and the Lady Pioneer defense earned the shutout.

The offensive balance was encouraging, but Bratcher took center stage two nights later.

The junior midfielder scored all three Warren County goals in a 3-1 road victory over Lincoln County, recording her first hat trick of the season.

Bratcher scored approximately nine minutes into the match off an assist from Steakley, then struck again late in the first half after an Emory MacDonald attempt came off the crossbar. She completed the hat trick after halftime, helping Warren County pull away from a one-goal halftime advantage.

“In the second half, we played with much more intensity and completely controlled the match,” coach Todd Willmore said after Thursday's win in Fayetteville. “We created numerous scoring opportunities, but we still need to continue working on converting them.”

The Lady Pioneers will look to carry that second-half performance into another District 9-3A test Tuesday at Franklin County, where they’ll have an opportunity to build on their 1-0 start in district play.

Two meets await WCHS cross country

**WCHS cross country photo -** The Lady Pioneers are coming off a first-place team finish at the Community Trail Invitational as they prepare for two meets this week.

Nearly two weeks after an impressive season opener, the WCSH cross country team is finally back on the course.

The Pioneers and Lady Pioneers will compete twice this week, beginning Monday at the Coffee County Invitational at Old Stone Fort Golf Course. The combined middle school race begins at 4:30 p.m., with the high school events scheduled to follow around 5.

Warren County will then travel to the Big Soddy Gulf Meet hosted by Soddy Daisy on Thursday. The girls race is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST, with the boys to follow.

The Lady Pioneers enter the week coming off a team victory at the Community Trail Invitational back on Aug. 19.

Emma Woodlee led Warren County with a runner-up finish in 23:14, while Jolene Meadows placed fifth in 25:26. Gracee O'Neal, Claire Randall and Marylou Margeson also finished inside the top 15 as the Lady Pioneers totaled 47 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up Lincoln County's 75.

Lucas Rhea paced the Pioneer boys in their opener, placing 19th with a time of 22:33.

WCHS golfers face three-match stretch

**Noel Davis continues to lead the way for the Pioneer golf team, firing rounds of 75 and 79 in Warren County’s two matches last week.**

The WCHS golf team will also have a busy week with three matches in a span of four days.

Warren County opens Monday with a nine-hole matchup against Coffee County at WillowBrook Golf Club, then returns home Tuesday to face Coffee County and Tullahoma at McMinnville Country Club. The week concludes Thursday with a trip to Old Fort Golf Course to take on Riverdale.

Senior Noel Davis continues to set the pace for the Pioneers, having fired a 75 in Tuesday's home match against White County and earning low-round honors despite the Warriors taking the team victory 325-344. He followed with a 79 Thursday at Tullahoma as Warren County finished third in a four-team district match.

“Noel is continuing to play solid golf,” coach J.W. Holt said following Warren County’s performance at Lakewood. “We just need to start putting together some more consistent team scores so that we can keep pace in the district.”

The Lady Pioneers posted a 191 at Lakewood, a five-stroke improvement from their 196 against White County earlier in the week. Gabbi Molloy once again turned in Warren County's low round on the girls side.

Unbeaten Pioneers return to action

**Warren County Middle takes its unbeaten record on the road Tuesday, traveling to Lewisburg for its first game in two weeks.**

After an unexpected week off, the WCMS football team returns this week with a road trip to Lewisburg.

The Pioneers were originally scheduled to host Tullahoma last Tuesday, but the matchup was postponed following the tragic death of an East Middle School student earlier that day.

This Tuesday will mark Warren County’s first game in two weeks, with the Pioneers last taking the field in a 38-0 victory over Bridgeforth back on Aug. 18.

The Pioneers are 3-0 and have outscored DeKalb County, Jasper and Bridgeforth 112-28. Brody Chisam starred against Bridgeforth with three touchdowns, including a pick-six, while Gabe Rowland, Bryson Anderson and Ryan King also found the end zone.

Warren County's defense forced four turnovers and twice stopped Bridgeforth after the Bobcats drove deep into Pioneer territory.

Tuesday’s matchup with Lewisburg is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Preston Hopkins Field.

WCMS volleyball aims to stay on track

**The Lady Pioneers bounced back from consecutive district losses with a sweep of Cannon County on Friday, improving to 10-4 on the season.**

Warren County Middle volleyball experienced its first real skid of the season last week, but the Lady Pioneers did not let it linger.

After seeing a six-match winning streak end in a three-set loss at Algood on Monday, the Lady Pioneers fell again Tuesday at Prescott South. Warren County responded Friday by sweeping Cannon County 25-19 and 25-14 to improve to 10-4 overall.

Ellie Dixon led the attack against Cannon County with seven kills and a block, while Fallon Youngblood finished with 10 assists. Khloe Howell contributed three aces and two kills, with Maebry Yates and Dixon adding two aces apiece.

“The girls did a good job at pushing through to the end of each match,” coach Bethany Mesaros said after the Cannon County victory. “There was a shaky start, but they focused in and pushed through to the win.”

Warren County will return to District 7-AA play Tuesday when it travels to Stone Memorial, a team it already defeated in three sets earlier this season. The Lady Pioneers then host Cannon County on Thursday.

WCMS soccer eyes another district win

**L.B. Guthrie has scored 14 goals through seven matches for the Lady Pioneers, who enter the week 6-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in District 7-AA play.**

The WCMS girls soccer team saw its perfect overall record come to an end last week, but its district record remains untouched.

The Lady Pioneers suffered a 1-0 non-district loss to Coffee County on Monday before responding with a 4-1 road victory over White County on Thursday.

L.B. Guthrie scored twice in the bounce-back win, raising her season total to 14 goals through seven matches. Finley MacDonald and Abigail Laxson also scored as Warren County improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in District 7-AA play.

The Lady Pioneers have just one match this week, hosting Stone Memorial Monday at 6 p.m. with a chance to keep their District 7-AA record perfect.

Full Schedule

(Subject to change)

Monday, Aug. 31
WCHS golf at Coffee County (WillowBrook GC) - 4 p.m.
WCHS cross country at Coffee County - 5 p.m.
WCHS volleyball vs Lebanon - 6 p.m.
WCMS girls soccer vs Stone Memorial - 6 p.m.
Boyd volleyball vs 931 Academy - 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 1
WCHS golf vs Coffee Co./Tullahoma - 1 p.m.
WCMS volleyball at Stone Memorial - 5:30 p.m.
WCHS volleyball vs Stewarts Creek - 6 p.m.
WCMS football at Lewisburg - 6:30 p.m.
WCHS girls soccer at Franklin County - 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 3
WCHS golf at Riverdale (Old Fort GC) - 1 p.m.
WCHS cross country at Soddy Daisy - 4:30 p.m. EST
WCMS volleyball vs Cannon County - 5 p.m.
WCHS volleyball at White County - 6 p.m.
Boyd volleyball at Tennessee Heat - 6 p.m.
WCHS girls soccer vs Tullahoma - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 4
WCHS football vs Hunters Lane - 7 p.m.
WCHS volleyball at Chattanooga Classic

Saturday, Sept. 5
WCHS volleyball at Chattanooga Classic