Lumberjacks Survive, Make Big Plays

Dennis Daniels avoiding a defender Friday evening in Warren's 35-34 win over Pottsville

The Warren Lumberjacks survived a very hard fought game Friday night in the second round of the state playoffs.  By a score of 35-34, the Lumberjacks defeated Pottsville at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium. It was probably the most physical game the Jacks have been  involved in all year and the final results were not determined until the last two minutes.

Warren won the toss and elected to receive,  The Jacks drove the ball to the Pottsville one yard line after converting several third down plays, where Dennis Daniels scored from the one yard line .  Sergio Yepes made the extra point and Warren went up 7-0 with 7:48 remaining in the first quarter. Pottsville answered with a grind it out drive and with 1:34 left in the first, scored from the two yard line.  With the successful PAT, the score was tied 7-7.

Pottsville then recovered an onside kick, which they attempted each kick off during the game, and took over again on offense.  The Warren defense made a stop and forced a punt.  The Lumberjacks could generate little offense and Pottsville got the ball back on their own 43 and quickly ripped off a 50 yard touchdown run.  They went ahead 14-7 with a successful point after.  At the 5:48 mark of the second quarter, Dennis Daniels scored from the two yard line and Yepes tied the game at 14-14.  The Lumberjacks kicked off and Pottsville began on offense from their 20.  On the first play they had a 80 yard run for a touchdown and after the missed extra point lead the game 20-14.  After the ensuing kick off, Warren moved the ball and with 3:15 remaining in the first half, Hayden Lassiter threw a 28 yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks, who took the ball away from a Pottsville defensive back in the end zone with a great catch.  Yepes made the PAT and Warren was back up 21-20.  The Jacks again got the ball and near the end of the half, Daniels scored from the five yard line and Yepes made the kick to give Warren a 28-20 halftime lead.

To begin the second half the Lumberjacks kicked off and were able to stop Pottsville and secure good field position but the Jacks could not do anything on offense and punted to Pottsville"s eight yard line.  They promptly marched the ball 92 yards and scored on a run of eight yards.  Pottsville then made a two point conversion to tie the game at 28-28.

The Lumberjacks responded and with 1:03 remaining in the third, Lassiter scrambled and on the run hit Franklin Gilmore with a nine yard touchdown pass.  Yepes stayed perfect with the point after to make the score 35-28 in Warren's favor.

A very good defensive effort got the ball back for Warren but Pottsville made an interception and took over on their own 44 yard line.  Shortly thereafter a Pottsville back raced 48 yard for a TD to cut the lead to 35-34.  At that point the Lumberjack defense rose to the occasion and blocked the extra point to keep the lead 35-34.  Warren could not maintain the ball or score again and had to punt back to Pottsville.  Another methodical drive move the ball deep into Warren territory with only minutes left in the game.  With 1:19 left in the game the Warren defense made the big play of the game.  Ardarrius Harding and Marcus Miller made a hugh hit on the Pottsville running back and forced a fumble which was recovered by Greyson Ashcraft at the Lumberjack 10 yard line.  With timeouts left, Pottsville stopped the clock between each play and Warren faced fourth down and short.  On the third down play quarterback Hayden Lassiter, who is the Jacks punter, was shaken up and had to come out of the game.  Treylon Burks dropped back in punt formation but instead of kicking, he race around right end and got the first down literally by the nose of the football.  The Lumberjacks went to victory  formation and ran out the clock to secure a hard fought 35-34 win.

Warren coaches had warned all week that Pottsville was very good.  They ran a ball control offense utilizing a 6 foot four inch fullback who weighs 230 pounds.  They also had fast backs and one of the better defensive backfields Warren has faced all season.  In short Pottsville was a power team with speed.  They had excellent linemen and made few mistakes.  The Warren defense battled hard all night and did well except for the three long runs given up.  On a couple of occasions the Lumberjack offense could have put some separation between the teams by taking advantage of good field position to score but was unable to cash in.  Without question Warren made big plays when absolutely necessary in order to win.

Hayden Lassiter had another outstanding game directing the offense and Dennis Daniels had big runs throughout the night.  Treylon Burks made a number of big catches and of course the big first down run near the end of the game.   The Lumberjack defense as a whole came up with big plays as needed and made Pottsville earn most of their yards the hard way.  It was a difficult game and bitterly fought.

The Lumberjacks now go into round three of the 2015 playoffs and will face old foe Nashville, which once again has a very talented team.  The game will be played Friday November 27th with the kick off set for 7:00 P.M. at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium.  Warren and Nashville have played a number of epic games over the years and another one is lurking.

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