Mustang uncommitted 2024 DB Zach Warren answers the call in bounce-back from injury-plagued junior season
MUSTANG, OKLAHOMA - Zach Warren had been waiting for the call his entire prep career.
Even though he had been a starting safety on the Mustang football team since the first game of his sophomore season, his coaches had never sent him on a safety blitz.
Through four games of his senior season, it didn’t look like it was ever going to happen. However, facing rival Yukon Friday night at home, defensive coordinator Waleed Gaines finally unleashed the 6-foot-1, 190-pound heat-seeking missile on a crucial fourth-and-goal on the 1-yard line.
Warren ran through the Millers' offensive line and tackled the ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage while also knocking the ball loose.
Despite also having an interception earlier in the game, a 49-21 win by the Broncos against their Canadian County rival, it was that play that put the biggest smile on Warren’s face.
“I would say the fourth-and-1 was my favorite because coach finally put me on the blitz play,” Warren said. “I was able to shoot that gap.
"I like putting my teammates and my team in good situations. Getting the ball back, it's something that we (defensive backs) and as a defense really believe in.”
Mustang safety Zach Warren (next to right) helps make a stop on fourth-and-goal during the Broncos' win against Yukon on Sept. 22, 2023.
Gaines agreed with his standout safety on the importance of making that type of play against a rival. It not only took the ball away from their offense but also snatched Yukon’s momentum, as MHS scored on the ensuing drive.
“That goal line stop, that's a play for the ages right there,” Gaines said. “He's been begging for that since his sophomore year. And I'm going to tell you, when he shot in like that, I was like, that's why we have that in, just for him.”
Those are the types of plays Warren envisioned himself making as he headed into his senior season. After missing most of his junior campaign with an injury, he was looking to get back on the field and show that is the type of player teams need.
“This year, I have a chip on my shoulder to prove to Oklahoma that I'm one of the best safeties here,” Warren said. “Last year, I was coming in starting from my sophomore year, so I was kind of cocky and then it got taken away.”
Mustang players celebrate after teammate Zach Warren (with ball) comes up with an interception during the Broncos' win against Yukon on Sept. 22, 2023.
Having to sit on the sideline nursing an injury was not how Warren expected his junior season to go. But he was able to use it as a learning experience that is helping him lead the Broncos' defense this year.
“Going through that is a learning process. It was hard. I'm not going to lie. It was very hard," Warren said. "Because my junior year, I was hoping it was going to be my big breakout year and then having it taken away from me, I went through some ups and downs.
"I had long, hard talks with my coaches and my mom and my family about if this was something I could do. Just had to keep on grinding, try to get it right and get healthy, get bigger, get stronger, get faster.”
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Warren has designs on playing football at the next level. While he has received a few small college offers, Gaines believes programs are missing out on someone who can make game-changing plays anywhere on the field.
“Colleges need to take notice. It’s getting a little upsetting,” Gaines said. “This guy is 6-foot-1, 190 pounds and he just wants to hurt you. He can play safety, he can play down backer, he can play rush end. He can do whatever the heck you want him to do.
"He's a dude and he's been that for a long time and colleges better take notes. They're going to miss out on a gem.”
However, Warren doesn’t want his ambitions to overshadow his main priority, which is to get Mustang to the 6AI title game.
“I'm going to let my play on the field take care of that,” Warren said. “I can't really buy too much into all that.
"If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I just got to go out there and play ball.”
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
