Jacks Defeat Dumas Bobcats

Treylon Burks puts on an offensive show!

All Photos by Emmalee Goad

In a game many believed to be a contest between the two best teams in class 84A this year, the Warren Lumberjacks defeated the Dumas Bobcats 55-24.  While Warren gave up a few more points than has been the norm in 2017, the Lumberjack offense was unstoppable any time it needed to produce, the special teams play was very good and the defense scored twice on interception returns.  As usual, a variety of players made big plays and the lines were very productive.  It is hard not to point out the many great plays made by Warren's outstanding athlete Treylon Burks.  He scored five touchdowns and made numerous tackles.  He was simply more than Dumas could contend with.

Junior Quarterback J'Malichi Kinnard  on a quarterback keeper.

The Bobcats won the toss and elected to receive.  Jesus Tinoco kicked off into the end zone and Dumas took over at the twenty.  Warren forced a punt and with 7:56 left in the first quarter, Burks ran in for a touchdown from six yards out and with the PAT good by Tinoco, Warren jumped ahead 7-0.

Sophomore Vincent Steppes carries the ball for the Jacks.

The ensuing kick off went into the end zone and Warren forced a second punt.  However, the Jacks fumbled the punt return and Dumas recovered at midfield.  After a couple of penalties against the Jacks, Dumas broke a 35 yard run for a touchdown.  The point after was no good and Warren lead 7-6.  Burks returned the next kick off to the Dumas 47 and Warren quickly moved the football.  With 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Burks scored again on a five yard run.  Tinoco hit the PAT and the Lumberjacks were up 14-6.

Junior Keemontrae McKnight turns the corner on the Bobcats.

After yet another kick into the end zone, Warren forced another punt which Burks promptly ran back 50-yards for a TD.  Tinoco made the extra point and Warren extended it's lead to 21-6.  The following kick off died at the Dumas one and they had to try to run it out.  Warren tackled the runner at the Dumas 15-yard line.  Warren,s Donovan Ross forced and recovered a fumble and the Lumberjacks immediately scored on a 10-yard run by Keemontrae McKnight.  The successful point after by Tinoco put Warren ahead 28-6.

Senior Braden Hargis makes yardage for the Jacks.

The next kickoff did not work as planned and Dumas recovered a squib kick at midfield.  Dumas was able to mount some offense and scored on a six yard run.  Again the PAT was no good leaving the Lumberjacks ahead 28-12.  Another good kick off return set the Jacks up at the Dumas 40  With 6:34 left in the 4 second quarter, Keemontrae McKnight ran in a touchdown from one yard out and the PAT by Tinoco made the score 35-12.  With 5:33 left in the half, J'malachi Kinnard, playing cornerback, intercepted a Dumas pass and ran it back 32-yards for a touchdown.  With Tinoco's successful point after, Warren extended it's lead to 42-12.  After the kickoff, Warren got the ball back on a fumble recovery but failed to score, turning the ball over on downs.  The Lumberjacks just missed a touchdown pass on 4th down.  Dumas was able to mount some offense and scored on a 14-yard run late in the half.  They missed the point after leaving the score 42-18 in Warren's favor.  The Lumberjacks had another great return of the kickoff by McKnight but ran out of time before the end of the half.

Jacks prepare for kickoff against the Dumas Bobcats.

The Lumberjacks received the second half kickoff and began from their own 33.  Kinnard quickly hit Burks for a 61-yard touchdown and Warren leaped ahead with the successful PAT by a score of 49-18.  After the ensuing kickoff, Dumas hit a long pass and was the beneficiaries of a penalty and threatened to score again.  Warren's defense held on downs and took back possession of the football.

In the fourth quarter, with 8:21 remaining in the game, Treylon Burks intercepted a Dumas pass and ran it back 24-yards for a touchdown.  The PAT was not good and Warren lead 55-18.  With several second team defensive players in the game for Warren, Dumas broke a 75-yard run for a TD but failed on the two point conversion attempt.  The final score was 55-24 as Warren' second team offense ran out the clock while moving the ball well with Vincent Stepps carrying the football.

While Burks did most of the scoring, Keemontrae McKnight was the work horse running the ball effectively all night.  He ran hard and with reckless abandon.  He ran tough while playing outstanding defense and returning kicks.  Warren's offense line got stronger as the game went on and may have played their best game of the season.  The defense gave up a few plays but overall was still dominant against a pretty solid and talented Dumas offense.

Warren had another big crowd that traveled to Dumas to support the Jacks.  The Lumberjacks now return home to face the DeWitt Dragons for homecoming, Friday night October 13th.  A large crowd is expected to be on hand.