Warren East Football Preview
By Perry Swack
Warren East Raiders
Coach: Jeff Griffith, Sixth Season
Record at School: 23-31
2020 Record: 4-6
Lost to Allen County-Scottsville, 28-13, in the second round of the 4A Playoffs
Starters Returning: 6 on Offense, 7 on Defense
In 2020, Warren East picked up its first postseason victory since 2014 when it knocked off top-seeded Russell County. The Raiders had lost to the Lakers, 49-12, earlier in the regular season; however, Coach Jeff Griffith’s squad rebounded in Russell Springs and won, 33-14, for that elusive playoff win. After getting a taste of postseason success, the Raiders are now looking to capitalize on this momentum as they head into a new season.
The key to Warren East’s success in 2021 may be its defense. The Raiders are set to return their top five tacklers from a season ago, led by sophomore Maddox Tarrence. The linebacker recorded 78 total tackles (68 solo), appearing in all ten games. Jaiden Durbin and Trey Colson also will return to the lineup after totaling 42 tackles apiece, as will Simon Ghee. Ghee (39 tackles) and Shawn Mencer (35 tackles) were among the class leaders with five and four sacks respectively. In the Raiders’ four wins, they allowed only 16.5 points per game. This kind of production will pave the way for East to be in the conversation for a district championship.
The program will look to replace two productive offensive talents in quarterback Nolan Ford and running back KJ Alexander. The duo graduated after Ford threw for more than 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Alexander rushed for nearly 600 yards and seven scores on 131 carries. Griffith will turn to sophomore standout Tray Price to pick up the offensive mantle. The wideout led the team in 2020 with 651 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while also returning as the team’s leading rusher with nearly 200 yards and two scores. Price ranked among Class 4A leaders in receiving touchdowns (third), total receiving yards (fifth), and yards per catch (tenth).
Incoming junior Isaiah Ghee will assumedly start under center for East after filling in for Ford some last season. In Ford’s absence, Ghee completed 11-of-16 passes for 189 yards and two scores in a 47-6 victory over Warren Central in early October. Griffith and his staff also expect tight end Simon Ghee and wide receiver Colson to have big seasons after finishing among the team leaders last year. Ghee only caught seven passes for 144 yards, but he scored on two of his receptions and averaged nearly 15 yards per catch.
When asked what his expectations are for the 2021 season, coach Griffith was succinct: “Win our district and have playoff success.” The Raiders broke through one wall in 2020 with their first playoff victory since 2014. Now the program will look to win its first district title since 2012. They will certainly be in the conversation this fall.
