Paz brothers earn gridiron honors

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Jon Paz, left, and Joshua pose with their All-Region 3 plaques.

Two members of the Pioneer football team were honored by Region 3-5A for their performance this season.

Brothers Jon and Joshua Paz represented Warren County on this year’s All-Region team, after a postseason poll of the six-team league’s head coaches.

“This is a nice honor for them,” said WCHS head coach Chris Madewell. “We had a tough season, but they played hard, and I’m proud of them for receiving this recognition.”

Jon served as one of the Pioneers’ leaders on the defensive side of the ball, and led the team in tacklers from his middle linebacker position. He also served as the Pioneers’ center and was a standout on the offensive line.

“Jon was the anchor on our line, and even though he was a sophomore he was one of the strongest kids on the team last year,” Madewell said.

Joshua, the Pioneers’ starting quarterback for much of the 2004 season, finished with 927 passing yards on 61 completions. The junior also tied for the team’s rushing lead with 444 yards on 107 carries. He finished as the team’s overwhelming leader in overall yards, with 1,408.

“Both Jon and Joshua provided some strong leadership for us this season,” Madewell said, “and we’re looking forward to good things from them through the remainder of their careers.”

Joining the Paz brothers on the All-Region team were overall MVP Jake Nunley from Coffee County, as well as offensive MVP Braylon Leslie from Franklin County and Russell Tribble of Cookeville, who earned defensive MVP honors. Cookeville’s Jerry Joslin was named coach of the year.