Coaches work on confidence
The Warren County High School football team and coaching staff had much more than just offense and defense on their minds as they prepared for this week’s game.
After last weekend’s highly publicized incident at Shelbyville, which led to head coach Gerald Tidwell’s suspension for the week and from tonight’s game, the rest of the Pioneer staff faced the task of dealing not only with what Lincoln County will be bringing to Nunley Stadium, but also with the emotional condition of the Pioneers.
While going through their normal routine as much as they can over the past week to prepare for the Falcons, assistant coach John Dryden said he and the rest of the staff have continued to work hard to instill a sense of self-confidence in their own team.
“That’s been one of our biggest obstacles to overcome this year,” Dryden said. “The coaching staff believes in the players, and we are still trying to teach them to believe in themselves.”
Dryden noted last weekend’s situation had to be addressed and discussed early in the week, in an attempt to get players focussed on tonight’s contest.
“We had a good meeting with the players Monday morning, and discussed the events over the past weekend,” he said.
“We answered any questions they might have had, and everybody realized we had to get our minds on the right track and start focussing on Lincoln County.”
Given the Falcons’ past success, Warren County will have to be completely focussed to try and stop one of the mid-state’s perennial powers.
Last year, after dropping its first two games of the season, Lincoln County welcomed the Pioneers into its home stadium like a spider welcoming a fly, and rolled up 492 yards of offense in a 41-6 blowout win.
This year the Falcons come to Warren County with an equal 0-2 record, having lost to Franklin to open the season, then suffering a 35-9 loss to Blackman last week.
Despite their slow start, Dryden said the Pioneers are preparing for a powerful foe tonight.
“They’re a traditional powerhouse in the mid-state,” he said. “They’re just a good football team.
“We have to make our own breaks and try to cause turnovers, and if we do, we’ll have to capitalize on the opportunity.”
Kickoff for tonight’s game at Nunley Stadium is set for 7:30.