Lumberjacks Secure 8-4A Championship

Keemontrae McKnight(#7) rises high to deflect a Hamburg pass. Also pictured is J'malachi Kinnard(#1). (Robert Camp photo)

The Warren Lumberjacks defeated the Hamburg Lions 36-14 Friday night to clinch the 2018 84A conference title.  With one game to go for all the teams, the Lumberjacks have secured the #1 seed in the conference for the state playoffs.  Warren still must face a very good West Helena team and Dumas and Hamburg must face each other, but with Warren's wins over both Dumas and Hamburg, the Jacks are guaranteed the first seed.

Hamburg won the toss and choose to receive.  The Warren defense forced a three and out and the Lumberjacks got the ball after a punt on the Warren 24.  The Jacks drove the field and scored on a three yard run by Keemontrae McKnight.  Jesus Tinoco made the point after and Warren went ahead 7-0.  On the next possession,  Hamburg was again forced to punt.  Warren began driving but fumbled in Hamburg territory and the fumble was picked up and returned 78 yards for a Hamburg touchdown.  The PAT tied the score at 7-7.

Warren took the kick off from their own 14-yard line and again drove deep into Hamburg territory.  The Jacks stalled at the Hamburg 14 and Tinoco hit a field goal to retake the lead 10-7.  After Tinoco kicked off into the end zone, Hamburg was again forced to punt and Warren took over at their own 41.  With 5:30 left in the second quarter Keemontrae McKnight scored on a three yard run and Tinoco was good on the PAT and Warren went ahead 17-7.  The kick off was again into the end zone.  Hamburg made a couple of nice offensive plays and moved in and scored on a one yard run.  The score was set at 17-14.  With little time left in the half, the Lumberjacks moved quickly into Hamburg territory and with little time left in the half Tinoco hit a 27-yard field goal to extend the Warren lead to 20-14.  Tinoco then kicked off into the end zone to wrap up the half.

Jesus Tinoco(#10) hammers home a 20 yard field goal. Braden Jones also pictured.
(Robert Camp Photo)

Hamburg kicked off to Warren to begin the second half and the Jacks started at their own 18.
The Jacks were forced to punt and Hamburg took over with great field position.  They threatened to score but McKnight intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it to the Warren 44.  The Lumberjack offense move the ball and with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter, Tinoco made a 27-yard field goal and Warren went ahead 23-14.  He then kicked off into the end zone again.  The Jack defense held Hamburg on downs and retook possession of the ball in Hamburg territory.

In the fourth quarter J'malachi Kinnard raced in for a 10-yard touchdown and the Jacks went for two.  The attempt was not good and Warren was up 29-14.  The Warren defense forced another Hamburg punt and the Jacks took over at their own 22.  With 8:18 left in the game, Kinnard went play action and threw a beautiful 71 yard pass to McKnight for a touchdown.  Tinoco made the point after and Warren led 36-14.  Tinoco again kicked off into the end zone and Hamburg was again forced to punt.  The Jacks proceeded to run out the clock to make the final score 36-14.

Donovan Ross(#8) and Marcus Miller(#90) take down a Hamburg Lion.  #17 Jett Reepmoves in.(Robert Camp photo)

Once again it was difficult to name a player of the game because so many players made plays and helped secure the win.  On offense Vincent Stepps was outstanding.  He ran 33 times for 201 yards.  McKnight was outstanding as was Kinnard and the offensive line.  On defense, it was a team effort.  Braden Curry was excellent, Marcus Miller played well along with Donovan Ross, Jett Reep, JJ Hampton, Kinnard, McKnight and others.  The defense gave up only one touchdown.   Calhoun and Smith also made plays along with Marshall.  Once again Tinoco was outstanding.  He made three field goals, all the extra points and kicked off with power.  He is a weapon.

The Lumberjacks now face West Helena on Thursday night, November 1st at Jim Hurley, Jr. field.  Kick off is set for 7:00P.M.  West Helena is a good team and very physical.  The team needs another big and supportive crowd on hand to help this very talented team continue to win.