The Warrenton football team can’t cut any corners this season. That’s the message that senior lineman Marcus Greene imparted after the team went 7-4 and won an opening-round district game, but then suffered heavy graduation losses.
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The Warrenton football team can’t cut any corners this season.
That’s the message that senior lineman Marcus Greene imparted after the team went 7-4 and won an opening-round district game, but then suffered heavy graduation losses.
“Things aren’t going to be handed to us,” the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Greene said. “We had a good summer with a lot of growth throughout the team and I’m excited to see where it’s going to take us. We have a smaller group (in numbers) this year, but I really think this group of guys is ready for the challenge.”
Even though the team has yet to play its first official game, Warrenton Coach Jason Koper said he likes the attitude he’s seen from the team so far.
The coach echoed Greene’s sentiment that for the Warriors to find success, this group will have to earn it every play, every game.
“We don’t have a lot of depth because there is a smaller senior class this year,” Koper said. “There is a lot to look forward to headed into Fridays in the fall. We have the possibility, if we put it all together, to be a very good football team this year. We won a district championship a few years ago. I think there’s a lot of talent, so that (prolonged postseason) is a goal we always have.
“We’ve had a strong summer; we’ve made a lot of growth,” the coach continued. “We’re starting to get a lot more of the playbook in, and I think there’s a lot to be excited for this year.”
Back to lead the charge should be players like Greene, junior running back/linebacker Eli Schneider (5-11, 200), junior running back Bradley Tucker (5-8, 170), senior defensive back Jordan Lopez (6-2, 170) and sophomore quarterback Mason Sanders.
Tucker said he has complete confidence in his young teammate to take the reins of the offense.
“He came in last year and stepped up about halfway through the season and during the postseason,” Tucker said. “I think it’s going to be good.”
Koper said a strong group of players who saw time on the field last year will be asked to step into even bigger roles in 2026, beginning with Week one when the Warriors will play host to Warren County rival Wright City at 7 p.m. tomorrow.
“We’ve got, for the most part, a lot of guys who are going to be starting that had a lot of experience on offense and defense,” Koper said. “Eli is one of the most talented linebackers we’ve had come through here.”
While everyone in the program believes there is plenty of talent to have a successful season, Schneider said talent can only carry a football player so far.
That’s especially the case when things get tough.
No matter how tough it gets, he said, the team, as a whole, will have to be mentally tougher.
“We’ve just got to find that mindset,” Schneider said. “We’ve got to give 100 percent every time. Injuries are a part of the game. We’re going to have to be out there and not take any breaks on the field. As a team, we’ve got to be ready every play. We have to be there for each other. If we do that, we can be successful.”
