Lumberjacks Notch Conference Win

Junior Keemontrae gains yardage for the Jacks.

ALL PHOTOS BY EMMALEE GOAD
The Warren Lumberjack Football team opened the 2017 84A conference season Friday night, September 22th against longtime foe, the Crossett Eagles.  A big crowd was on hand at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium in Warren to watch the highly rated Lumberjacks take on a speedy Crossett team.  While it was hotter than normal for a mid-September evening, it was a pleasant night and the fans seemed to enjoy the contest.

Senior Braden Hargis catches another one for the Jacks.

Warren kicked off to Crossett and forced a three and out.  After a very short punt, the Jacks took over in Crossett territory and quickly scored on a 5-yard run by Keemontrae McKnight.  The PAT by Jesus

J'malichi Kinnard looks on after throwing a pass.

Tinoco was good and Warren was up 7-0.  After getting the ball back and driving into Eagle territory again, the Lumberjacks scored on a 42-yard field goal by Tinoco to jump ahead 10-0.  The Lumberjacks again got the football and with 18.5 seconds remaining in the first quarter, J'malachi Kinnard hit Treylon Burks for a 33-yard touchdown pass and wthe successful point after Warren was up 17-0.  Keemontrae McKnight then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and the Jacks took possession again  The Jacks threatened but Crossett intercepted a pass in the end zone but tried to run it out and was tackled on the two yard line.  Warren immediatley forced a fumble and Damarcus Gilbert recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.  The PAT missed, leaving Warren up 23-0.  Later in the second quarter, running back Keemontrae McKnight ran in from four yards out and with the successful PAT by Tinoco, Warren led 30-0.  Near the end of the first half, Warren threatened to score again but missed a short field goal leaving the halftime score 30-0 in favor of the Lumberjacks.

Senior Damarcus Gilbert turns on the speed.

The Lumberjacks received the second half kickoff and at the 8:21 mark of the third quarter, Damarcus Gilbert scored from six yards out and with the extra point converted by Tinoco, Warren took a 37-0 lead and the sportsmanship rule, running the clock continuously, went into effect.

With 2:24 left in the third quarter with Warren playing several second team players on offense, the Jacks fumbled the hand off and failed to cover the ball.  Crossett picked up the ball and ran about 50-yards for a TD.  The PAT was missed and Warren remained ahead 37-6.  In the fourth quarter the Lumberjacks scored again on a 4-yard run by McKnight and the successful PAT by Tinoco set the final at 44-6.

Logan Mann holds for Jesus Tinoco.

Late in the game, with the clock running and the Jacks playing a lot of second team defensive players, Crossett threatened to score but Warren's Psavian Person intercepted a pass and the Jacks took over and ran out the clock.

The performance by Warren was outstanding on offense, defense and the kicking game.  Tinoco kicked several kick offs into the end zone and Braden Hargis had a very good game catching the ball.  The offensive and defensive lines performed well.  It was the first game that Demarcus Gilbert saw significant time at running back and he played very well.  Warren's defense continued to demonstrate solid play and the offense spent more time working on the spread offense by throwing the ball down the field more so than in any previous game this year.

From all indications Warren came out of the game with no serious injuries and a lot of kids got some playing time.  The Lumberjacks will travel to Star City September 22nd to face the Bulldogs in another 84A match up.  A large Warren crowd is expected to be on hand.  Remember, the game will be available on Lumberjacklive if you are not able to attend.  The Crossett game is on salineriverchronicle.com via the NFHS network to watch on demand.  Warren is now 3-1 on the year.