By Brad Durham

Pioneer quarterback, Brady Swallows is pursued by Tullahoma defender, Creed Adams, No. 2

There were contrasts between Warren County and Tullahoma Friday night at Nunley Stadium. Tullahoma was dominant on the field with a convincing 32-7 victory over the Pioneers. The visitors may have also dominated in the stands. Tullahoma filled their side of the stadium with fans and their band. They even had an overflow of fans onto the track. There were many empty seats on the home side of the field. Ultimately, it was a contrast of winning versus losing. 

Tullahoma scored on all four of their possessions in the first half. Their only major flaws were on special teams — missed extra point conversions and a fumbled punt return.

In the first quarter, Tullahoma fumbled a punt return and Warren County recovered the football near midfield. The score was 6-0 in Tullahoma’s favor at this stage of the game. On their first play after recovering the fumble, Warren County executed a hook and lateral pass successfully for a 9-yard gain. Two plays later, a holding penalty negated a run by junior Isaiah Robledo that would have given the Pioneer’s a first down deep in Tullahoma territory. The inability to advance the ball after a big gain on first down forced the Pioneers to punt. Tullahoma scored two plays later to go up 12-0 with only :48 seconds left in the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same with Tullahoma scoring on their next two possessions that increased their lead to 25-0. Warren County threw a Hail Mary pass with :35 seconds left in the first half, which was intercepted. A touchdown-saving tackle near the goal line prevented Tullahoma from scoring again as time expired in the first half.

Tullahoma returned the opening second half kickoff for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and Tullahoma went up 32-0. Tullahoma started substituting players on both sides of the ball after its first defensive possession. Warren County mounted an impressive 88-yard scoring drive in the third quarter to put points on the board. There was no more scoring in the game which ended with a 32-7 win for Tullahoma.

POST GAME COMMENTS

After the game, coaches on both teams made similar comments about the Warren County football team. Pioneer offensive coordinator, Josh Harris indicated that the Pioneers are lacking size in certain areas, and were injured, which forced younger players to be in the game. Defensive coordinator Camron Bond said, “At this point in the season, we have some injuries and some younger guys are playing. They are making improvements. We have been undersized, and are struggling to make plays at the point of contact.”

Tullahoma head coach Coy Sisk, echoed what coaches Harris and Bond stated. Sisk said, “Warren County did what they could. They’re banging and doing what they can do. Defensively, they just got a little outmatched in the secondary. Their front line is pretty tough. Once you get in the backfield, they are just not as big as the guys they have been playing.”

A familiar face was wearing a different uniform in the game. Creed Adams, No. 2 was starting at linebacker for the Wildcats. His family moved to Tullahoma earlier this year. Adams is a senior and he is on track to play in his first playoff game. Creed is also experiencing his first winning season as a high school football player. Creed Adams was a freshman the year after the Pioneers went 8-3 in 2020. .

Creed Adams stood out in Warren County as a freshman because of his natural athletic ability and intense determination. Adams has a strong drive to excel at football. This spring he increased his strength in the weight room at Tullahoma. He has impressed his coaches at Tullahoma with his dedication and positive, respectful attitude.

Adams expressed some of his feelings about coming back to McMinnville and leaving with a victory. He said, “Of course I wanted to win and that makes me happy. But I like seeing all my guys too. Right now, we are 4-1 in the region, and we have big playoff hopes.” Before Creed Adams left the stadium, he went over and embraced his former coaches with hugs and spoke to his former head coach, Matt Turner.

Warren County head coach Matt Turner reflected after the game about what his team is experiencing. Turner said, “We have had a tough, tough schedule this year. Everybody on our schedule is either undefeated or has only a few losses. These boys (Pioneers) are playing well and giving it everything they’ve got. We don’t have much depth, and it is unfortunate that not enough of their classmates are out (on the football team). I am so proud of these guys who are out here busting their tail Monday through Thursday, and then showing up on Friday and giving it everything they’ve got.”

Turner continued, “We saw when Tullahoma started pulling out their number ones that we started being more competitive. That is where we are as a program. Tullahoma won a state championship a few years ago. They may be a smaller school, but they are a damn good football team. We have some good football players who are busting their tails, and we have another opportunity next week to go knock this goose egg off our record.”

The Pioneers are 0-8 for the season. Tullahoma is 5-3, and two of their losses were against larger 6A teams. Next week Warren County travels to Lebanon to face Wilson Central in a region game. Wilson Central is 2-6 and 0-4 in the region. 

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

CREED ADAMS

MATT TURNER, WARREN COUNTY HEAD COACH

COY SISK, TULLAHOMA HEAD COACH