Where: Warrenton High School
When: Friday, Sept. 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Coaches: Washington — Zach Schneider. Warrenton — Steve McDowell.
Records: Washington — 1-1. Warrenton — 2-0.
Last Year's Metting: Warrenton 14, Washington 6The Warriors beat the Blue Jays for the first time in program history in a defensive battle away from home.Warrenton outgained Washington in total yards 290-184, and also forced three crucial turnovers to end the seven-year skid.Senior receiver Alec Tonioli set a career-high with seven catches for 104 yards and gave the Warriors a 14-6 lead after a 53-yard touchdown reception with 3:42 left to play. Senior linebacker Trevor Reese was pivotal in the victory with four tackles, a sack and two fumble recoveries.The 3-0 start for Warrenton was its best since 2010, in which the team made an appearance at state.
Outlook: Both sides consider this face-off to be a statement game.Washington is trying to prove the program has bounced back from a down 2014 while Warrenton is hoping to repeat and win at home for the first time over the Blue Jays.While Warrenton trails the all-time series 6-1, there have been several great finishes between the two teams. Twice the Blue Jays have prevailed in 35-34 wild finishes, including in 2010 when the Warriors went to the state finals.Washington suffered a narrow 26-21 defeat to Sullivan Friday, but remains greatly improved from last year’s 1-9 finish. Through the first two contests, Schneider’s squad has averaged 251 rushing yards and has a dynamic lead back.Senior running back Jared Rennick (5-foot-10, 200 pounds) only appeared in six contests last season, but the bruiser appears to be in full strength now. Rennick ranks 15th in the St. Louis area with 292 rushing yards and has scored four times.For Warrenton, several different weapons have been shown on offense to start the season. Five different players have scored touchdowns this season.However, Hunter Russell is on pace to set new Warrenton records at receiver.The deep threat at receiver has already scored five times and is No. 2 in the St. Louis area in receiving yards (239). No matter if opposing defenses try to key in on him, Russell is capable of breaking a long score at any given moment.The Warrenton defense will be led by Jacob Abel and Jacob Null at safety and linebacker, respectively. The two hard-nosed tacklers have combined for 41 tackles and a sack this season.
The Bottom Line: Warrenton will have to key in on stopping Rennick and the Washington run game, which has been handed the ball 75 percent of the time on play calls so far. Tacklers will have to aim low to try and bring down the back, who presents quite a bit of upper body strength.The Warriors will need to get starting running back Cameron Richardson going much more than last week, in which he was contained for 21 yards on 12 carries. Fullback Jacob Manion will see time out of the backfield after carrying the ball in a blowout win over Troy last week eight times for 69 yards.With a home crowd behind them for the first time this year, Warrenton will try to land its first victory against Washington on its home turf.Limiting Rennick will be pivotal for the Warriors defense.
Hunter Russell has already scored five touchdowns through the first two games for Warrenton. He and several other playmakers for Warrenton have a tough contest against Washington this Friday in which they hope to once again find the endzone several times.
Derrick Forsythe photo.
