As Warrenton rolled to the 41-0 Homecoming win over Winfield last Friday, junior back Eli Schneider was at the center of everything for the Warriors.

Schneider led the team on the ground with 13 carries for 167 yards and four scores.

While Schneider was at the center of things, after the game he wanted to talk about the center, the guards, the tackles, and, by extension, the tight end and the wide receivers.

That’s because, even though he reaped the benefits, statistically, the team reaped the benefits on the scoreboard because the offense worked as one to get the job done.

“Everything these guys do is amazing,” said Schneider of his blocking front. “We’re getting healthier as the season goes on. We’re handling the heat and conditions better. Our players aren’t cramping up as much. We’re (as a unit) playing very well. We just went out and beat a rival by 41 points on Homecoming; it’s an awesome feeling.”

Schneider scored on runs of three, 12, 15 and 34 yards.

Warrenton Coach Jason Koper praised Schneider as the ultimate team player who makes sure everyone’s hard work is recognized.

“That’s why Eli is such a great leader,” Koper said. “He recognizes the guys around him as being the critical part. We had some good holes there in the second half. When we run the ball well and we’re effective up front, we feel like we’ve got a shot with anyone because he’s got speed and power and that’s kind of rare in our area. It’s a great talent to have. I’m proud of the way he grinds it. That’s one of the hardest-working young men we have in our program, and it shows on Friday nights.”

While he was the one who crossed the goal line a quartet of times, some of the holes opened for the junior to run through made success almost a foregone conclusion, as Winfield tacklers didn’t touch the back until he was yards downfield from the line of scrimmage.

Junior lineman Daniel McChristy said that Schneider’s successes were the line's successes.

“We’re constantly working at practice, trying to get better so we can help the team,” McChristy said. “It’s a lot of fun. We take pride in seeing Eli and those guys score. We all love that so much. We just want to keep cleaning up mistakes so we can get more wins.”

McChristy added that winning in the trenches is one of football's unwritten rules. The work he and seniors Ty Cook, Marcus Greene, Markel Greene, and others up front put in has made all the difference.

He said that he and his fellow linemen don’t see any pressure in the fact that they must own the trenches; they see it as a challenge.

“The men up front make the game and the coaches are on us constantly (to prove that),” McChristy said. “If we have a bad game, so does the whole team.”

 Warrenton will look to build on its good game with another next week when the team travels to St. Charles (1-6) for a 7 p.m. start on Friday.

Overall, Warrenton has won 19 of the last 24 games, including the last seven straight over the Pirates.

Last year, Warrenton defeated St. Charles 40-20 at home.

“We’ve got to get back to work and take care of business,” Koper said. “I haven’t looked at St. Charles a whole lot. This was a self-scouting week, trying to work on our things. We’ll look at them (this week).”

With the win, Warrenton sits fourth in the Class 4 District 4 standings with two weeks to play.

The 37.24 points amassed put the Warriors behind St. Charles West (49.17 points), Parkway North (41.50) and Orchard Farm (38.81). Warrenton sits just ahead of Hannibal (36.76).

When the districts start in two weeks, the top seed gets a bye, and seeds 2-4 host first-round games.