Freshman quarterback Josh Pecunes calls the pre-snap cadence during his first Varsity appearance. “The atmosphere was crazy,” said Pecunes. “I remember last year, nobody could attend games. Now, I see hundreds of people watching us and cheering us on. It was so loud, even in the huddle [we were all] screaming the plays.”

Josh Pecunes Shines as Freshman Quarterback

By Tricia Rawleigh, Reporter

November 4, 2021

For the first time, the Warrior football team has a freshman starting-quarterback.

The offensive linemen protect senior kicker Scott Denis attempts a field goal. The kick was good making the score 15-7. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack (Mackenzie Womack)

Josh Pecunes has led the Warriors to a strong 5-5 season.

For J. Pecunes, playing this season as the first freshman starting quarterback had great meaning.

“It means everything to me,” J. Pecunes said. “I worked hard to get here. I was outside everyday throwing to Zach or my other family members.”

J. Pecunes had to play with an older and much more experienced group this year.

“It’s great, [and] it proves that no matter how good anyone is, people are better than you, and you need to keep working hard no matter what,” J. Pecunes said. “It’s also a great opportunity to know and become friends with upperclassmen. It shows how much heart you can have [when you] keep fighting and keep pushing through obstacles.”

Senior captains Hunter Sturgill (50), Zach Pecunes (8), and Mason Kight (78) stand together for the pregame coin-toss. The Warriors began the game by receiving the ball. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack (Mackenzie Womack )

Pecunes’ older brother, senior Zach Pecunes, has enjoyed watching his younger brother grow on the field.

“It’s only been one year of varsity, and he already has developed a feel for the speed and pace of the game,” Z. Pecunes said. “He has always had a good IQ for the game, and with being a freshman starter, his IQ along with his experience is what’s going to make him a problem for [opposing teams] for 3 more years.”

Pecunes made playing with his senior brother for the last year “super special” and “put it all out there for the seniors.”

Head Coach Steven Wiles has watched J. Pecunes evolve this season.

“[It] seems like he’s getting better and better each game,” Wiles said. “He has a very bright future ahead of him.”

The team huddles before the game begins. The Warriors competed against the Hanover Nighthawks for their season-opening home game. Photograph by Mackenzie Womack (Mackenzie Womack)

Wiles is excited to make way for the next season and to keep watching J. Pecunes evolve as a player.

Friday, Oct. 29 was the last game for the seniors and the last game of J. Pecunes’s freshman year, losing 21-10 to York Suburban on Oct. 29.