Smith turns in 100-yard second half

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

The Pioneers shut the Cavaliers out in the second half and scored on a long run by Preston Smith. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

For the second week in a row, Pioneer running back Preston Smith turned in Warren County’s biggest offensive highlight.

Smith, a sophomore transfer from Murfreesboro, had over 100 yards in last week’s loss at Beech. And Friday night, despite being held to just eight yards through the first three quarters, Smith turned it up with a pair of big plays in the fourth on his way to a 124-yard night.

“He showed what kind of speed he can have, and what kind of runner he can be,” coach Chris Madewell said of Smith. “When he’s determined to get there, he’ll get there. He can hit his holes, read and cut back.

“When he’s determined to make a play, he does a great job. So we’ve got to get him that way, going full-speed, every time.”

With the Pioneers standing on their own 16, Smith got the ball on a run to the left side, but with nowhere to run, had to get creative. The sophomore found a gap to his right, hit the hole and headed 84 yards to the end zone for Warren County’s only score of the night.

“We went in at halftime, and coach said don’t give up, just keep taking it to ’em, taking it to ’em,” Smith said after the game. “That’s what we did, we never gave up.”

“On that score, we were trying to make something happen, and my linemen opened up the hole for me. I give credit to them.

“We know we’ve got to keep fighting, and that’s what we did tonight. Even after they got ahead, and we never gave up.”