Lumberjacks Defeat Watson Chapel

Sophomore Vincent Steppes advances the ball for the Jacks.

All photos by Emmalee Goad 

In the last non-conference game of the year, the Warren Lumberjacks defeated the Watson Chapel Wildcats 20-12 at Watson Chapel.  It was a hard fought contest between a highly ranked 4A team and a high ranked and very skilled 5A school.  The Lumberjacks fell behind 12-0 in the first half, but battled back to take the lead in the third quarter and were able to hold on for the victory.

#7 Keemontre McKnight, #53 Davis Pennington, and #52 Donovan Ross defend the Lumberjack territory.

 Warren's defense was outstanding for most of the game, minus a couple of breakdowns in the second quarter, while the offense showed flashes of excellence, but was too inconstant and made several mistakes.  The kicking game was good, but suffered a couple of breakdowns in coverage that gave Watson Chapel good field position.  Warren's defense, however, stood tall each time.

Senior Braden Hargis goes up for the ball.

The game started with the Lumberjacks kicking off to Watson Chapel.  Warren forced a punt and the Wildcats responded by intercepting a pass near midfield.  The Jack defense held on downs at the Warren 22 and a short time later Chapel intercepted a second pass.as Warren's offense struggled for consistency.  The first period ended 0-0.

Watson Chapel punted on the first play of the second quarter and Warren had to punt back to the Chapel 48.  With 10:32 remaining in the second, Chapel broke a 42 yard touchdown run.  The PAT was blocked and Watson Chapel led 6-0.

The Lumberjacks started deep in their own territory but began generating some offense but fumbled at the Chapel 37.  Later a big run set the wildcats up deep in Warren's end of the field. After a great defensive play in the end zone to break up a pass by Warren's Braden Curry, the Wildcats were able to score from the five yard line.  The point after was no good and Watson Chapel held a 12-0 lead.

Warren's defense closes in on a Watson Chapel runner.
         

The Jacks took over at their own 35 and were forced to punt.  Chapel then punted back and with little time left in the half, Warren scored on a nicely conceived pass from J'Malachi Kinnard to Psavian Person.  The point after missed and the halftime score was 12-6 in Watson Chapel's favor.

Warren received the second half kickoff but had to punt.  The Jacks defense forced another punt and Treylon Burks, who had another great night catching passes, running the ball and playing defense, had an outstanding punt return to the Chapel 36.  After a big catch on third and long for a first down, Burks scored at the 5:29 mark, on a one-yard run, and after the successful point after, Warren had its first lead at 13-12.

Safety Luke Gorman brings down a Wildcat runner.

The Lumberjacks got the ball back after recovering a fumble and with 2:59 remaining in the third, Kinnard hit Keemontrae McKnight, who made a brilliant move and scored from 26 yards out. Tinoco made the point after and Warren was on top 20-12.

Neither team could muster points in the fourth quarter.  Warren threatened but turned the ball over on downs with 3:55 to go in the game deep in Chapel territory.  Chapel drove into Warren's side of the field but turned the ball over on downs and the Lumberjacks took a knee to preserve the victory.

A number of Warren players turned in outstanding performances..  Psavian Person, Braden Curry, Treylon Burks, Luke Gorman, Damarcus Gilbert, Caleb Watson, Donovan Ross, Wallace Smith and Marcus Miller turned in very good defensive performances.  The entire defense battled hard all night.  Warren's offensive line had some excellent moments, and some inconsistencies. Vincent Stepps again showed his ability as did Keemontrae McKnight both running and catching the ball.  When the game was on the line, Treylon Burks made big plays.  It helped to have Will Woodard back and Davis Pennington was a major force.  Every Warren player put forth great effort and the team did what was needed to win.

Jesus Tinoco kicks for ther Jacks while Logan Mann holds.

The Lumberjacks now return home to face Crossett and begin their defense of the 84A conference title.  The contest is set for Friday, September 22nd at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium, with the kickoff to take place at 7:00 P.M.   A large and fired up crowd is needed to support the Lumberjacks as they strive to get better and to win the conference and pursue a run through the state playoffs.

SRC named Marcus Miller as the Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union Player of the game. He along with the entire defense was superb all night and Marcus was a force shutting down the run and pressuring the quarterback.  He was outstanding!