Pioneers take on Warriors tonight
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Coach Chris Madewell’s squad enters tonight’s contest riding a 32-game losing streak, including last week’s 49-13 loss to the Lincoln County Falcons. The Warriors come to town with a 1-2 record, on the heels of last week’s 14-11 win over Lawrence County.
“They’re going to be a pretty good team,” Madewell said of the Warriors following last week’s games. “They’re going to be big — Sparta’s always got some big linemen – and we can’t allow them to run over us.
“They’re not going to be a Lincoln County, but they’re still going to be tough, and we’re going to have to play as well or even better than what we played against Lincoln County.
“If we can move the ball against them, toughen up our defense, and cut out the big plays, then we can play with this team.”
Madewell added that despite last Friday’s loss — which was marked by two Pioneer interceptions which were returned for TDs and a 70-yard kickoff return touchdown by the Falcons — an ability to move the ball during their past two contests has increased the Pioneers’ confidence level.
“There was some excitement going on the field,” he said of last week’s game, which saw the Pioneers amass 316 yards of total offense.
“And as long as we can move the ball and we can make them have to drive down the field, we can stay out of those blowout kinds of games, where it’s dead at the end of the fourth quarter.”
When it comes to moving the ball, the question still remains as to who will be under center in the Pioneer offense.
Nick Cantrell and Joshua Paz both spent time at quarterback last week, and have shared time at that position during this week’s practices. Cantrell passed for 135 yards, but was picked off four times, while Paz connected for 112 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.
“They were both throwing on target, the only thing we have to keep working on in practice is reading the defense — knowing when to throw the ball, when not to throw the ball, and take out those interceptions,” Madewell said of his two field generals’ performance. “This game could’ve been a totally different game if you take those interceptions out of it.”
“We’re going to look at film, just like we do every week, and see where we need to have the players to have our best team on the field.”
If Jevon Ramsey is unable to play, as he was the past two weeks, the decision could be made much easier. Paz turned in a capable performance at tailback in Ramsey’s absence last Friday, and has seen some practice reps at that position again this week.
“He did a great job,” Madewell said of Paz’s work at tailback. “You’re not going to take him down with just an arm tackle, you’ve got to put a body on him.
“We really haven’t had his kind of strength and size back there at our tailback position, and I think he did a good job running the ball.”
Ramsey, who strained a knee ligament several weeks ago, was hoping to receive medical clearance Thursday which would allow him to play tonight.
The Warriors will bring a strong running game to Nunley Stadium tonight, after turning in 234 yards of offense — including 178 on the ground — a week ago at Lawrenceburg. James Simpson had 78 rushing yards to lead White County, while Kyle Hicks passed for 56 yards on three completions.
Turnovers marked the Warriors’ 14-11 win, however, as White County fumbled the ball away twice, however, and threw two interceptions. Mistakes marred the Wildcats’ offensive efforts, as well, as a Lawrence County fumble which was recovered in the end zone by Todd Holman proved to be the game-winning TD.