Pioneers begin season

Coming off an electrifying season that saw the Warren County football team battle its way into the playoffs, the Pioneers kick off the 2006 season tonight in Cleveland.

Last year was a memorable one, beginning with the Nunley Stadium goalposts coming down when the Pioneers snapped a 39-game losing streak. It ended with Warren County in the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.

Pioneer faithful hope last season was no fluke, but rather a sign of good things to come for many years. With 14 seniors on the roster and a solid nucleus of juniors and sophomores, there?s reason to believe last year?s grid-iron success is no one-hit wonder.

In making the trip to Cleveland, the Pioneers face a hapless Bradley Central team that finished 1-9 last year and has lost 21 of its last 22 games.

For Pioneer fans who don?t want to make such a long drive, the team will be closer to home next week against DeKalb County in Smithville. The first home game is the following week, Sept. 1, against Lincoln County.

For more coverage, see today?s sports section or the special fall sports tab inside today?s edition.