Needing a spark after a sluggish first quarter, the Warrenton football team turned to its defense in its season opener Friday.

Highlighted by a key play from sophomore defensive back Eli Schneider, the Warriors’ defense lit the fuse on a come-from-behind 24-7 win over the host Wildcats as the teams opened America’s Heartland Stadium in Wright City.

After Wright City scored on the first play of the second quarter, Schneider later stepped in front of a pass from Wildcats’ senior quarterback Dayton Humphreys and raced 23 yards to the end zone to tie the game.

“It was a big momentum swing,” Schneider said. “As a team, we pulled it together, and that’s all that mattered.”

While the sophomore was rather matter-of-fact about his play, Warriors’ senior linebacker/place kicker Jake Kinney said the team could feel the game’s tone shift in real time.

“That (play) really turned our momentum, and it got everybody really hyped up, really excited,” Kinney said. “We needed a change of momentum. We needed something to get the team riled up, and I think that was what did it. His pick-six got us riled up. We just needed it.”

Fueled by the defense, Warrenton took the 10-7 lead on a 25-yard second-quarter field goal from Kinney and, just before halftime, turned to special teams for another boost.

A fumbled snap on a punt was recovered by Warrenton deep inside the Wildcats’ territory. It led to a two-yard scoring run by junior quarterback Christian Blondin. The score increased the advantage to 17-7 Warriors after the PAT and, effectively, put the game away.

Warrenton coach Jason Koper said that, as impressive as the defense was, the special teams also played an integral role from not allowing the punt to controlling field position, in general.

“One thing I took a personal mission on this year was to improve our special teams play,” Koper said. “Jake Kinney is a great kicker and a great punter, and he was last year before he got injured. I knew that would be a valuable weapon for us to be able to pin people deep. He had a heck of a punt, I don’t know exactly what it was – 50 yards. To be able to flip the field and to back the other team up, as solid as our defense is. That’s a tough order for those guys. Our special teams improved a bunch, but this defense is so impressive.”

A second-half touchdown on a 3-yard scamper by senior Javon Jones closed out the scoring. Koper lauded his defense for allowing the offense some time to grow into the game.

“We felt like our offense was going to have some growing pains; we knew our defense was pretty solid,” Koper said. “I thought defensively we played a big game. It was almost perfect if you take away one play. Schneider, with the pick-six, was huge, getting momentum for us, especially as a sophomore. I’m happy with the performance overall. We’ve got a long way to go. The guys will come in and get better every week.”

Wright City head coach Tyler Rickard said he knew things would be tough with the size and depth Warrenton possesses.

He added that he took great pride in seeing a Wildcat score the first points in the history of America’s Heartland Stadium when the Wildcats went up 7-0 after a 34-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Dayton Humphreys to senior wideout Nate Turner opened the second quarter and capped a nine-play, 77-yard drive.

“We knew, coming into this game, it would be tough,” Rickard said. “They’re a reigning Class 4 semifinalist and have one stout offensive and defensive line. It’s probably going to be one of the best defenses we’ll see this season. That stinks, but at the same time, this is preparing us for our conference and our district. That’s what you want to use these out-of-conference games for. How can you push yourself to be successful?”

Warriors senior defensive lineman Justin Hogan, who came up with a fumble recovery late in the contest, said that it was exciting to see the defense play with a full-throttle effort from the opening whistle to the final horn.

“It’s pretty nice, all that work over four years, I’m finally getting my time to shine on the field,” Hogan said. “We play hard-nosed football, and we don’t quit.”

Schneider led the robust Warrenton defense with 12 tackles, four for a loss, three sacks, and the interception.

The Warriors also received significant contributions from, among others, senior linebacker Jake Mincher, who collected eight tackles and a sack, senior defensive end Javon Jones’ six tackles and two sacks, and Kinney’s three tackles and two sacks.

All told, Warrenton amassed 17 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

In week two, Warrenton will host Washington while Wright City will travel to Winfield. Both games are slated to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday.