Rain postpones WCHS-Tullahoma game: Pioneers to face Wildcats Saturday night at home
Rainy weather and sloppy field conditions caused WCHS officials to postpone tonight’s scheduled football game against Tullahoma, opting to play host to the Wildcats Saturday at 6 p.m. at Nunley Stadium.
But an extra day’s preparation is being looked at as a positive for the Pioneer football team, which will field several players at new positions when they take on the Wildcats.
Because of this week’s rain, and the potential for even more wet weather today, WCHS athletic director Andy Jacobs and Tullahoma officials agreed not to play tonight on a Nunley Stadium field that has already seen its share of wear and tear after last week’s rain-soaked contest against Cookeville.
“We have checked what the weather is going to be like the rest of Thursday and Friday, and the field already has water standing on it now,” Jacobs said Thursday. “Tullahoma has agreed with us that it would kind of be foolish to try and play in this kind of inclement weather, and with the forecast for Saturday to be sunny and a lot better we decided to push the game back a day.”
The Pioneers will use that extra day to work with a new backfield, since regulars T.J. Jarvis and Preston Smith will not be in action this weekend.
Jarvis, a senior, injured his hamstring in last week’s 27-6 loss to Cookeville, and as of Thursday was expected to miss Saturday’s game. Smith, a transfer from Murfreesboro who broke the 100-yard rushing barrier for two straight games, is reportedly moving back to Murfreesboro and won’t be playing.
“I feel (the postponement) is a plus for us,” said coach Chris Madewell. “It gives us an extra day working with new backfield, with Preston being gone and T.J. not being able to play.
“It’s going to be a muddy field, but that doesn’t bother us. Our only concern is having so many people in new places, so this extra day is going to help us.”
Cody Mitchell will step in at tailback, splitting time with Jimmy Cunningham in the Pioneer backfield. But running back is not the only position where the Pioneers will see new faces Saturday night.
Quarterback Jonathan Bratcher started last week’s game against Cookeville, but was knocked out of the game after suffering what was later determined to be a concussion — the second of his high school career. After seeing doctors this week, including a specialist in Nashville, Bratcher has had to give up football as a precaution against any further injuries.
Bratcher’s situation left the Pioneers with just one quarterback in Joey Haston, who has seen his share of injuries as well and played last week with a large brace on his knee. Madewell said Haston, who was diagnosed with a strained medial collateral ligament, will now be backed up by Justin Grissom, who practiced at quarterback during the spring while Haston and Bratcher were busy with baseball and soccer, respectively.
“Justin has practiced at quarterback this week in case we need him, and he really hasn’t missed a beat since working out back there in the spring,” Madewell said. “He still knows all the plays, and he’s done a good job in practice this week.”
While dealing with their own lineup changes, the Pioneers will also have to deal with a tough Wildcat squad that started the 2002 campaign with three straight wins before being shut out last Friday against Hillsboro.
The (3-1) Wildcats are averaging 21.5 points per game, while holding opponents to 14.5 points per contest.
“Offensively, they’re pretty well-rounded,” Madewell said. “Their quarterback can throw very well, they’ve got some good running backs, and their real strength is in their line.
“(Defensive coordinator John) Dryden has worked up a good defensive scheme, and we’re going to try and bring some heat on them and stuff the run, to make them try and beat us with the pass. They’re a passing threat, but they’ve run a lot more than they’ve thrown the ball, so we want to take (the running game) away from them.”