WCHS Athlete of the Week

A.J. Whitman has been piling up yards through the opening weeks of the 2026 season, and on Friday, his latest big performance finally helped carry Warren County into the win column.

The junior quarterback rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries while also throwing a touchdown pass as the Pioneers rolled past Hunters Lane 41-12 for their first victory of the season. That performance earned Whitman the Main Street Journal’s Reddick Brown Ford WCHS Athlete of the Week award for Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

Whitman wasted little time making his presence felt against the Warriors, helping Warren County find the end zone on each of its first four possessions as the Pioneers erupted for 27 points in the opening quarter.

On Warren County’s first drive, Whitman broke free for a 23-yard run into Hunters Lane territory before carrying twice more to finish the march, scoring from 5 yards out to put the Pioneers ahead 7-0.

Less than two minutes later, Whitman struck through the air. After the Pioneer defense forced a turnover on downs deep in Warrior territory, he connected with Marek Sadlon for a 9-yard touchdown that quickly doubled Warren County’s advantage.

Whitman saved his biggest play for late in the first half. Hunters Lane had just broken through with a 71-yard touchdown pass to cut Warren County’s lead to 27-6 when the Pioneers took over at their own 40. Whitman needed only one play to answer, breaking loose for a 60-yard touchdown scamper that sent the Pioneers into halftime ahead 34-6.

Whitman finished his night averaging 24.6 yards per carry and completed 2-of-3 passes for 27 yards and a touchdown before Warren County turned the offense over to some of its younger players in the second half.

The performance continued a strong start to Whitman’s first season as Warren County’s starting quarterback. He rushed for 150 yards and a touchdown in the Pioneers’ season-opening overtime loss to DeKalb County before piling up 197 yards and two scores against Livingston Academy.

Through three games, Whitman has amassed 470 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging more than 156 yards per game on the ground.

Whitman credited the guys in front of him for helping make those numbers possible.

“It's just trust, really,” Whitman said of his offensive line following the win over Hunters Lane. “They trust me, I trust them to make those holes, and I just gotta hit the holes, break tackles and do what I do: score touchdowns.”

Whitman also said finally putting a win behind those performances provided a boost heading into the next challenge.

“It felt amazing,” Whitman said of the win. “It's just a confidence booster going into next week. We got Franklin County and they're going to be a tough team, but I think the confidence is going to be there and we're going to be ready.”

After coming within one score of victory in each of its first two games, Warren County finally paired Whitman’s production with a win Friday night. His latest performance helped the Pioneers break through in convincing fashion and earned the junior quarterback Main Street Journal WCHS Athlete of the Week honors.