When a team’s season comes to an end, all the typical person will see is the final score. On paper, they miss the heart, the dedication, the countless hours of hard work and the aching muscles that players endured throughout the season. As time passes and memories fade, all that remains is the record and how the season ended.

But on Nov. 30, it was clear that the 2024 Warrenton football team should not be defined by a number on a scoreboard. After their 21-16 loss to Festus in the Class 4 state semifinals, not a single eye was dry on David Huff Memorial Field.

“These seniors are unbelievable. They have done so much for us, just to try to find a group like this again, it’s just not realistic. To see us come inches away from making it to a state championship game, it’s hard to watch,” Head Coach Jason Koper said. “I don’t want this one loss to overshadow the accomplishments they’ve had. It’s been truly a remarkable two years with these guys.”

These seniors are Brandon Johnson, Charles Brake, Larry Jones, Austin Haas, Austin VanPool, Mason Thompson, Austin White, Isham Keeper, Peyton Dawson, Jeremiah Montgomery, Tyler Faerber, Jack White, Cole Meyer, Kadin Stroer, Carter Tittel, Alex Wilson, Chance Klasing, Treyvian Guthrie, Kyle Lauck and Evan Schenck.

“These guys have done so much for our program. These seniors had two remarkable years, but unfortunately it was not the ending we were hoping for,” Koper said.

The Warriors had a major shift within their program in the last two years with a combined record of 23-2. In the five seasons before that, they had only won 16 games.

This season, the Warriors posted a 12-1 record, outscored their opponents by 28 points or more in 11 games, received back-to-back GAC North Conference titles, back-to-back undefeated regular seasons\ and they ended Hannibal’s
 four-year streak to become the Class 4, District 5 Champions and return to the state tournament after a 14-year drought.

Koper credited the team’s mindset as a key factor to their success, and something that was specifically unique to this team. The Warriors often rallied behind one simple attitude: It’s one quarter, one game and one week at a time.

“I’ve never been around a group that wanted it more. I can’t fault their effort and I haven’t been able to do that at all, so I’m proud of everything they’ve accomplished,” Koper said.

The Warrenton football team accomplished a lot this year, shattering multiple school records and out scoring their opponents 470-195.

Numerous players had breakout years. Senior Austin Haas scored 32 touchdowns and had 2,704 total yards, breaking school records for career rushing touchdowns and career rushing yards.

Senior Kadin Stroer led the team in tackles with 140 and seven sacks. Stroer also broke the school record for career tackles. Senior Cole Meyer was another key player for the Warriors’ defense, ending his season with 93 total tackles and seven sacks.

Senior Austin White recorded a team-high of four interceptions, and on the
other side of the ball he scored six touchdowns. Senior Mason Thompson had a team-high of six receiving touchdowns and broke the school record for career receiving yards and career touchdown receptions.

Thompson ended with a career 2,013 receiving yards and 20 touchdown receptions.

In addition, senior Brandon Johnson broke the record for career interceptions and junior Javon Jones now holds the career sacks record.

Jones ended the season with 11 sacks, while Taylor Anderson recorded 10.

Johnson was a first-year varsity quarterback this season and while taking on a big leadership role is not an easy feat for any player, the senior rushed for 11 touchdowns and threw 16 touchdown passes.

The accomplishments are endless and Koper noted it is hard to find the right words to express how much they have done for the program.

“We’ll come back. We’ll come back strong next year. Hopefully the juniors are ready to go. I told them they got big shoes to fill and that’s all we can do,” Koper said.