Story by Rusty Ellis
In football, it’s already hard enough for a true freshman to contribute at any capacity at the high school level.
Now imagine that same player checking into his first game in the second half and immediately tossing two touchdown passes on his first two career attempts. That’s exactly what White County freshman Tripp Pinion did just that in the Warriors’ season-opening win over Livingston Academy.
It’s no surprise for WCHS head coach Mark Fraiser however, as he’s seen this potential from Pinion since he was in middle school.
“We’ve seen him throw the ball, and I’ve got confidence in him,” Fraiser said. “He throws a good football, and he’s a very heady kid…we were excited to see him (play), we’ve wanted to give him a chance. He’s going to get plenty of playing time going forward.”
For the game, Pinion completed both of his passing attempts for 62 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-0 Warrior victory. The freshman signal-caller joins an already loaded quarterback room with returning junior Malaki Dowell and sophomore Owen Adams.
The biggest bonus in Fraiser’s eyes to having a player like Pinion in that room is that he can continue using Adams and Dowell on defense to maximize their potential, while also having a backup plan in the event that injuries strike the team.
“It’s a great feeling,” Fraiser said. “Owen Adams is one of, if not the best defensive players on our team, but if you lose him and you’re down to one (quarterback), that’s a scary thought…Owen’s fun to watch play and he’s just an exciting kid. With Tripp there, allowing us to play Owen on defense and Malaki plays defense and he’s already taking a pounding carrying the ball, it gives you another option that frees you up to do what you need to do.”
As dynamic as his debut was, Fraiser is very quick to point out that it’s only a single game. Expecting that level of efficiency or success every snap isn’t realistic. That doesn’t sway his confidence level in Pinion, as he knows that continued growth will lead him to becoming a great quarterback for Sparta.
“I think the biggest thing for Tripp is whether he’s ready to handle the speed and size of the game,” Fraiser said. “He’s still a freshman and he’s played one game in very limited action, and he’s hasn’t really been hit yet…I know in the mental part of it, he’s going to be good. He’s going to continue to get bigger and stronger, and I expect him to continue to get better.”
The Warriors host Station Camp in their first region contest since 2018 this Friday at 7 P.M.