WCMS football hits the field

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

The Warren County Middle School football team hit the field this week for its first sessions of summer drills. Chris Weitzel (30) goes up against Aaron Miller during receiver blocking drills. (Rob Nunley photo)

After back-to-back winning seasons, the Warren County Middle School football program began preparing to make it three in a row this week.

Summer drills began Monday afternoon at the WCMS practice field, with over 35 young athletes participating.

Head coach Jeff Watson, who is beginning his second season at the helm of the Pioneers, put the largely inexperienced group through its paces along with assistant coaches Jeff Lee and Donnie Harris.

With players working out in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts for the first week, Watson said he and his assistant coaches were focusing on conditioning and fundamentals, as well as giving the team its first introduction to the Pioneer system.

“They’re a very raw, very inexperienced group,” Watson said. “But what they lack in experience, they make up for it in enthusiasm.

“They’re excited to be out, and we’ve had a great few early days of practice. Right now we’re trying to make sure they know the basics, then we’ll go to work getting ready for the season.”

The Pioneers have a scrimmage scheduled for Aug. 5 against West Wilson, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. The team opens its regular season Aug. 19, with a road game against Sparta.

2003 Warren Co. Middle School Football Schedule
Date Opponent Site Time
8/19 Sparta Away 4:30/7 p.m.
8/26 Walter J. Baird Away 6:30
8/28 Monterey Away 6:30
9/11 Avery Trace Away 4:30/6:30
9/15 Westwood Home 6:30
9/16 Coffee Co. Home 6:30
9/23 J.D. Jackson Home 6:30
9/30 Blackman Home 6:30
10/6 Christiana Home 6:30
10/9 Ezell Harding Home 4 p.m.
10/14 North Franklin Away 6:30
(When two times are listed, first time is junior varsity game.)