Pezzimenti returns to practice field: Junior cites team loyalty as reason for staying
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But Monday morning the junior fullback/linebacker opted to stay with the team, citing loyalty to his teammates as the overwhelming factor in his decision.
“I came back for the team, and the players,” he said after Monday’s practice session. “I’m not here because of what any coaches said to me, or because I want to be here for the coaches. I’m here for my team that I play with.”
Pezzimenti was injured during the halftime intermission of last Friday’s game at Shelbyville when he was accidentally struck by a helmet thrown by head coach Gerald Tidwell. The first-year Pioneer head coach was suspended by WCHS administrators for a week as a result of the incident, and is not allowed to coach the team this week either at practice or during Friday night’s home game against Lincoln County.
Tidwell, along with assistant coach Matt Turner, talked with Pezzimenti and his family at their home on Sunday.
“We wanted to check on him, and talk to him and his parents,” Tidwell said. “I wanted the chance to sit down with them face-to-face, to give them a full explanation and a sincere apology, and they allowed me to do that. I felt like we had a good chat with his mom. She had some concerns with the way some things were handled, and they were very legitimate concerns, I thought, so we talked about those.
“I just want a second chance at working with Mario, because, like I told him and his family, I think down the road he has a chance at getting some scholarship money with the talent he’s shown. I’d like to see that happen for him, I appreciate the second chance he’s given me, and I’m just glad he’s back.”
Tidwell said since Friday’s incident, he has received many expressions of support and understanding from the community.
“I haven’t heard anything negative whatsoever,” he said. “I’m sure there are some people out there who have negative opinions about this situation, but the only negative things that have been said about what I did — at least that have been said around me — have come from my own mouth.
“Over the weekend I’ve had many, many phone calls and visitors with support, and that makes myself and my family feel good about the people of Warren County, and about our decision to move here and hopefully stay here as part of this community for years to come.”
While Pezzimenti did attend Monday’s practice, he was not able to participate in drills. As of Monday morning, he was unsure of when he’d be medically cleared to play.
• Pezzimenti wasn’t the only Pioneer who had to watch Monday’s practice from the sidelines, as injuries have forced several players out of action.
Senior two-way lineman John Morrison was held out of Monday’s drills with an injured groin muscle, and was questionable for Tuesday’s practice, as well.
Quarterback/defensive back Jonathan Bratcher suffered an injury to his elbow at Friday’s game, and participated in limited action. Defensive back Justin Grissom, who doubles as the Pioneers’ punter, worked out Monday with a wrap around his possibly fractured left hand.
Cody Mitchell is expected to miss one more week with a broken toe suffered in the team’s season opener at Centennial, and junior lineman Jonathan Allen will be out of action for an undetermined amount of time after injuring his knee in practice last week. Allen is scheduled for tests to diagnose any possible ligament damage.
Kickoff for Friday night’s game at Nunley Stadium is set for 7:30.