WCMS wraps up spring drills

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Aaron Thomas of the White team tries to shrug off Tucker Chastain during Friday’s Red-White game at Warren County Middle School. (Rob Nunley photo)

Warren County Middle School’s football squad concluded its two weeks of spring drills with an intrasquad scrimmage in front of the WCMS student body Friday afternoon.

The approximately 55-man squad, separated into “Red” and “White” teams, hit the field for an afternoon of controlled full-contact action, with each squad keeping the ball for 10 plays at a time.

Pioneer head coach Chris Madewell said his team accomplished many of its goals during spring workouts, while trying to establish the basics of the offensive and defensive schemes brought in to the varsity level by new head coach Gerald Tidwell.

By familiarizing the middle school players with the varsity’s system, Madewell said he and his staff hope to lay the groundwork for future high school teams by establishing a base knowledge of Tidwell’s game plan.

“We got what we wanted to get out of it,” Madewell said of the two-week practice period. “We’re just introducing them to the new offense and defense, and trying to find out what kind of athletes we’ll have coming back in the fall.

“That’s the big thing about spring practice. You want to find out who can do what, and who should play at which positions.”

Saul Simpson provided the day’s only touchdown, breaking off a long TD run from near midfield for the White team. Kyle Mullican had a pair of highlights, catching a long pass for the Red team before being stopped just short of the goal line, and coming away with an interception on the Red’s next defensive stance.