Warrenton

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The Warrenton Warriors finished 2022 with a 4-7 record, their fifth losing season in a row. Despite this, they finished second in the Gateway North Conference, trailing only St. Charles West. The Warriors started last season with four straight losses, but mid-season adjustments provided hope for their season. They were even able to end the season on a positive, with a District win and playing into week 11. Warrenton Head Coach Jason Koper, who enters his third season with the team, is confident that they can finish on-top of the conference standings this year. With numerous returners in key positions, and a group of young talent, the Warriors are in a good position to do so.

Warrenton returns 19 lettermen this season, including nine starters on offense. One significant returner is senior QB Charlie Blondin (6’0, 170). Blondin stepped in as starting quarterback in week 4, where he eventually won the role with his increased productivity. The Warriors were 0-3 at that point in the season and won Blondin’s first start. He finished the season with 1,577 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in 8 weeks of play, which earned him first-team All-Conference honors. Another important returner is junior RB Austin Haas (5’7, 170), who also finished with first-team All-Conference honors. Haas recorded 1,167 rushing yards and 231 receiving yards last season. Senior RB Joe Goldsmith (6’0, 215) also returns to the starting lineup. Warrenton sees the Class: 4

Conference: GAC North

Head Coach: Jason Koper Years at School: 2

Record at School: 7-14

Offensive Starters RetuHarning: 9

Defensive Starters Returning: 10

Total Returning Lettermen: 19

2022 Overall Record: 4-7 return of four starting offensive linemen in 2023: junior OL Alex Wilson (5’10, 225), junior OL Evan Schenck (6’3, 210), junior OL Chance Klassing (5’11, 225) and sophomore OL Jack Morris (6’1, 225). Coach Koper said that the Warriors offensive line has improved significantly entering 2023. The team also returns two starters in their receiving corps, junior WRs Peyton Dawson (5’10, 185) and Mason Thompson (5’10, 165). Dawson finished last season with 171 receiving yards on 14 receptions, while Thompson recorded 443 receiving yards on 17 receptions, earning him second-team All-Conference honors. They will be joined by two newcomer skill players, junior WR Austin White (5’8, 160) and freshman WR Chance McPike (6’0, 175). Coach Koper acknowledged the athleticism of White and McPike and said both are explosive playmakers. The Warriors offense, at times, struggled to score against tough defenses last season. They failed to score more than a touchdown in four games and went 1-5 in the first half of the season. Warrenton averaged 19.5 points per game, with 131 rushing yards and 159 passing yards per game. But coach Koper is optimistic about his offense going into the season, “we have a much higher football IQ as an offensive unit,” he said. “Our offense throughout the summer has looked significantly better than last year.” With several returning starters at key positions, including an experienced offensive line, the Warriors could see vast improvement in their offense this season. On defense, Warrenton boasts great experience, as they lose only one starter, returning 10 experienced players. They see the return of their entire linebacker corps, including senior LB Joe Goldsmith (6’0, 215), senior LB Garrison Allen (6’3, 200), senior LB Aiden Bond (6’2, 195) and junior LB Cole Meyer (5’10, 185). Each of them proved incredibly productive in 2022, with Bond earning second-team All-

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Conference honors. The Warriors also return first-team All-Conference LB Kaiden Stroer (5’9, 165) and junior LB/DL Carter Tittel (6’5, 225). Coach Koper said Stroer and Tittel are “the heart and soul of our defense.” Upfront, Warrenton returns two productive defensive linemen: junior DL Kyle Lauck (6’1, 225) and senior DL Jacob Ruff. Lauck registered 52 total tackles last season, and Ruff recorded 61 tackles and six sacks, earning him second-team AllConference honors. They will be joined by sophomore DL Jack Morris, who started

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