Sports Calendar: August 3-8

Fall sports have arrived in Warren County.

As the calendar flips to August, the pace of the fall sports season begins to ramp up across Warren County, with WCHS football and local volleyball teams continuing preseason preparations, the WCHS golf squad looking to build on an encouraging start and middle school programs opening their fall seasons.

Pioneers building toward season opener

The Warren County High School football team headlines the week Friday with its second preseason scrimmage, traveling to Columbia Central for a 6 p.m. kickoff after an encouraging debut against Spring Hill.

The Pioneers displayed many of the traits head coach Eric Belew has emphasized throughout the offseason during Thursday's controlled scrimmage, leaning on a physical rushing attack, disciplined defensive play and multiple takeaways to build momentum.

Quarterback A.J. Whitman accounted for three touchdowns while showcasing his dual-threat ability, and defensive back Carter Lee continued to establish himself as one of Warren County's top playmakers with an interception and several pass breakups.

Belew said afterward the performance reflected the identity the Pioneers are trying to establish entering year two of his tenure.

"I was really excited to see our players go out and compete," Belew said after the Spring Hill scrimmage. "We want to be able to control the line of scrimmage, pursue the ball on defense and create turnovers."

Friday's matchup against Columbia Central presents another opportunity to test that identity against a larger, playoff-caliber opponent before the regular season begins later this month. The Lions reached the Class 5A postseason a year ago and will provide another physical challenge as Warren County continues evaluating personnel and refining its schemes.

The Pioneers are also hopeful to continue building chemistry after wide receiver Christian Munoz missed the first scrimmage with a hand injury. Belew said the junior is expected to return during the regular season despite the setback.

Volleyball programs heading East

Both the Warren County and Boyd Christian high school volleyball teams will spend another weekend preparing before the matches start to count.

The Lady Pioneers are headed to the Attack at the Rock Playday in Gatlinburg on Saturday, where they will face Knoxville Catholic, Bardstown (Kentucky), Seymour and Cleveland against another challenging field of opponents. Warren County's junior varsity squad will also compete throughout the afternoon.

Saturday's event comes one week after Warren County hosted the annual Tree City Playday, where coach Erin Blalock was pleased with her team's resilience and communication against Cascade, Coffee County, Franklin County and Tullahoma.

Rather than focusing on wins and losses, Blalock said the biggest takeaway was seeing a veteran group continue developing chemistry after spending the summer emphasizing communication and trust on the court.

"I think the goal is always just to come out and build a good, strong team," Blalock said of her team after the Tree City Playday. "It's not necessarily always about wins and losses, but it's about building chemistry on the court."

Nearly every key contributor from last year's 16-10 squad returns, led by all-district seniors Aubrey Oleksik and Ali Young, giving Warren County optimism entering another competitive District 7-AAA campaign.

Boyd Christian will take part in the same playday, where the Lady Broncos are scheduled to face the Bradley Knights, Clarkrange, CHAT Volleyball and Gatlinburg-Pittman.

First-year head coach Emily Davis continues guiding a young roster through a transition after taking over the program this summer.

Despite dropping each of its matches during the Tree City Playday, Davis saw noticeable improvement throughout the day as several inexperienced players settled into new roles. Junior captain Britain Ralph also made the transition from outside hitter to setter after Boyd was forced to shuffle its lineup because of absences.

"They've definitely worked hard," Davis said following the Tree City Playday. "You can tell they are getting more comfortable on the court and with their roles."

Saturday's playday in Gatlinburg offers another chance for both local programs to sharpen their games before the regular season officially gets underway.

WCHS golf finding its rhythm

The WCHS golf team will also remain busy this week following a promising opening stretch to the season.

The Pioneer boys travel Tuesday to Lake Tansi Golf Course for the Golf Capital Classic after posting consecutive encouraging performances last week.

Warren County opened the year with four golfers shooting below 90 at the Lawrence County Invitational before tying for third in a six-team match at Franklin County just three days later.

Senior Noel Davis has led the way early, carding a 75 during the season opener before firing an even-par 37 to tie for the best individual socre in Thursday's nine-hole competition.

Meanwhile, the Lady Pioneers have quietly produced steady results of their own, placing fourth in the season-opening Lawrence County Invitational before finishing second in Thursday's tri-match at White County behind rounds of 92 from Gabbi Molloy and 100 from Lucy Mulligan.

Both the Pioneers and Lady Pioneers are scheduled to travel to Sparta for a match against White County on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Fall season begins for WCMS

The fall season officially begins this week for Warren County Middle School, with three programs opening their schedules.

On the gridiron, coach Ben Matheney and the Pioneers are set to begin their season Thursday night with a road trip to border rival DeKalb County. Warren County is aiming to improve on last season's 4-3 record after advancing to the Central Tennessee Conference semifinals before falling to E.O. Coffman.

Volleyball starts Monday at home against Westwood before hosting District 7-AA foes Upperman on Tuesday and White County on Thursday. The Lady Pioneers, entering their second season under head coach Bethany Mesaros, finish the week Friday with a road trip to Coffee County.

The WCMS girls soccer team also begins its second season under Sally Wilmore on Thursday against Franklin County before traveling alongside the volleyball team to Coffee County on Friday. The Lady Pioneers are looking to build on last year's runner-up finish in the Region 4-AA Championship.

Full schedule

(Subject to change)

Monday, Aug. 3
WCMS volleyball vs Westwood - 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 4
WCHS golf at Golf Capital Classic (Crossville) - 9 a.m.
WCMS volleyball vs Upperman - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 6
WCHS golf at White County - 1 p.m.
WCMS girls soccer vs Franklin County - 5 p.m.
WCMS volleyball vs White County - 5:30 p.m.
WCMS football at DeKalb County - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 7
WCMS volleyball at Coffee County - 5:30 p.m.
WCMS girls soccer at Coffee County - 5:30 p.m.
WCHS football at Columbia Central (scrimmage) - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 8
WCHS volleyball (varsity) at Attack at the Rock Playday:
(All games at Rocky Top Sports World)
Gm. 1 vs Knoxville Catholic (@ Dominos 1) - 8:30 a.m. EST
Gm. 2 vs Bardstown, KY (@ Dominos 2) - 10 a.m. EST
Gm. 3 vs Seymour (@ Dominos 1) - 10:45 a.m. EST
Gm. 4 vs Cleveland (@ Dominos 1) - 12:15 p.m. EST

WCHS volleyball (JV) at Attack at the Rock Playday:
(All games at Rocky Top Sports World)
Gm. 1 vs Knoxville Catholic (@ Taco Trail 2) - 2:45 p.m. EST
Gm. 2 vs Bardstown, KY (@ Gatlinburg SkyPark 1) - 3:30 p.m. EST
Gm. 3 vs Seymour (@ Taco Trail 2) - 4:15 p.m. EST
Gm. 4 s Maryville (@ Gatlinburg SkyPark 1) - 5 p.m. EST

Boyd volleyball at Attack at the Rock Playday:
(All games at Gatlinburg Pittman High School)
Gm. 1 vs Bradley Knights - 9:15 am EST
Gm. 2 vs Clarkrange - 10 am EST
Gm. 3 vs CHAT Volleyball (KY) - 10:45 am EST
Gm. 4 vs Gatlinburg Pittman - 1:15 p.m. EST