A new era of Warrensburg-Latham football begins Friday night against a familiar opponent.
DaTayven “DT” Thornton will make his debut as Cardinals head coach when Warrensburg-Latham hosts former conference foe Tuscola at 7 p.m. Friday. The matchup brings together a W-L team trying to return to the playoffs and a Tuscola program looking to reestablish itself as a Class 1A contender.
Thornton took over the Cardinals in February after Aaron Fricke departed for Lincoln following nine seasons at W-L. The former Normal West defensive coordinator inherits a team that finished 4-5 last season but returns much of its offensive production.
That starts with senior Brennon Bonds.
Bonds led Warrensburg-Latham with 930 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns last season while lining up in multiple roles. He also contributed defensively with 37 tackles and an interception from the secondary.
Senior quarterback Jayden Peck also returns after throwing for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns last season. His top receiver, Donnie Pratt, is back after catching 24 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns.
Jaxson Alderson returns at receiver and defensive back, while St. Teresa transfer Tyler Hendrix gives the Cardinals another option at both positions.
W-L also brings back experience in the trenches with Levi Cope, Alex Pond and Devonte Curtis returning on the offensive and defensive lines.
That group will immediately be tested by one of Tuscola’s biggest strengths.
Junior Brayden Weaver anchors a Warriors offensive line after recording more than 45 pancake blocks and earning unanimous first-team all-conference honors last season. The 6-foot-6 lineman, who picked up a Division I offer during the offseason, also figures to be a major factor along Tuscola’s defensive front.
The Warriors enter the opener following a 7-3 season that ended with a first-round Class 1A playoff loss to Nokomis. It was Tuscola’s third consecutive first-round exit, and head coach Andy Romine enters his 12th season looking to push a program with 34 playoff appearances back toward a deep postseason run.
Tuscola has plenty of experience to make that possible, returning seven starters on each side of the ball.
Senior Jon Pettry enters his third season as the Warriors’ starting quarterback. Evan Vearil and Tanner Block give him experienced targets, while senior Kale Wilcox returns after recording 43 tackles and nine tackles for loss as a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker last season.
The biggest offensive question for Tuscola comes in the backfield following the graduation of Dylan Graves, who finished third in program history in rushing yards. Junior Myles McKinnie saw action behind Graves last season, while senior fullback Tytus Hornaday returns after missing all of 2025 with an injury.
For Warrensburg-Latham, Friday provides an immediate test for a defense replacing several of its biggest contributors from last season. Seniors Drew Czajkowski, Eli Kent, Eastyn McKenzie and Reed Cordts were among the departures, leaving returners such as Isiah Cook and Keagan Cox to take on larger roles.
The Cardinals won’t be unfamiliar with the team across from them.
Warrensburg-Latham and Tuscola are former conference opponents, and the Cardinals won their most recent meeting 20-8 in 2024.
Two years later, the programs meet again under different circumstances. Tuscola arrives with an experienced roster and postseason expectations. Warrensburg-Latham begins a new chapter with a new coaching staff but plenty of familiar faces on the field.
Friday night will provide the first indication of how quickly those pieces have come together.
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