Grit is defined as a positive, non-cognitive trait based on a person’s perseverance of effort combined with their passion for a particular long-term goal or end state.
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Grit is defined as a positive, non-cognitive trait based on a person’s perseverance of effort combined with their passion for a particular long-term goal or end state.
That single word fully defines the Warrenton football team as that trait was on full display in its 30-27 win over Marshall in a Class 4, District 5 quarterfinal game on Oct. 31 at home.
“These guys don’t give up. They don’t have any quit in them,” Warrenton coach Jason Koper said. “Five years ago if we got in a situation like that, we would have caved but they are gritty and there’s a desire to win.”
The Warriors’ resilience was tested in the game’s final two minutes. With one minute and 58 seconds on the clock and no timeouts, freshman Mason Sanders got to work, throwing two long completions to Deadrick Forrest, taking advantage of a pass interference call and getting his team to the red zone.
“I had a lot of weight on me because all these seniors – it’s their last ride,” Sanders said.
After throwing two incomplete passes to the end zone, Sanders ran to the sidelines to talk to Koper and assistant coach Brandon Molinari on third down and 10.
Koper told him, “Relax and take a breath. You’ve got this and I knew he did.”
Sanders returned to the field with a poise well beyond his years.
Composed, Sanders threw a pass to Kaleb Lauck at the one-yard line. From there, Lauck turned and powered through the last defender to regain the lead with 44 seconds left.
“I just wanted to get in and I didn’t want [my season] to end. I knew we had to score there and I knew that play had to be it,” Lauck said.
Sanders said he had full confidence in Lauck.
“Once he dove into the end zone, I was the most excited I’ve ever been,” Sanders said. “My heart was in my feet.”
“[The feeling] was unexplainable,” Lauck added. "It's like something you dream of.”
Sanders played his second game as varsity starting quarterback. He threw four touchdown passes for 15 completions on 304 yards.
“He is so far what you would expect for a freshman at quarterback. His pocket awareness, his throwing ability, reading the defense, keeping his eyes downfield,” Koper said. “It was a great throw and a great catch and a second effort to get in the endzone because it looked like he was going to get stopped short, but (Lauck) battled his way on in.”
Junior Hayden Johnson closed out the game with an interception on Marshall’s final drive.
Grit can also be defined as working strenuously to overcome challenges despite adversities.
Koper sees exactly that in his team.
“The grit this team has to just keep fighting through the injuries and adversity – I couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” Koper said. “We talked about how we wanted to get to week 11 and we just had to find a way, and they found the willpower.”
Koper praised his team’s ability to execute two-minute offenses pointing to a touchdown scored right before halftime. With 49 seconds left, the Warriors quickly drove the ball down the field. With only two seconds to go, Sanders threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Forrest, extending the lead to 23-14.
“We had two timeouts in our pocket [at the end of the first half] but we didn’t need them. We have the ability to do that at any given time right now, and those two minute drives are just unbelievable,” Koper said.
Both Lauck and Forrest had two touchdowns. Forrest had five catches for 131 yards, while Lauck had six catches for 100 yards. Javon Jones led the defense with 16 tackles, while Jordan Lopez, Jake Mincher and Justin Hogan each tallied eight tackles. Jay Sanders had a sack and seven tackles.
Warrenton, the No. 3 seed in the district tournament, will travel to second-seeded Odessa on Nov. 7 to take on the Bulldogs for the district semifinals. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
“We’re going to have to all play our A-game together and once we get to that point, we’re going to be a really tough team for anyone to beat because of how good our line is and how much dominance they’ve shown this year,” Koper said. “It’s going to be a long bus trip and we’re banged up, but the fire to win from these guys is so strong.”
