Saturday, October 6, 2018

Lumberjacks Stand Tall

Keemontrae McKnight intercepts a Dumas pass. (Robert Camp Photo)
A few years back Warren traveled to Dumas and played a pretty good Bobcat team.  Warren was very good and battled through and won the game to retain their number one ranking in the conference.  A regional newspaper had the headline the next morning, "Still the One."  That headline sums up the results of the Warren Dumas game Friday night, October 5th.  A very good Dumas team came to Warren undefeated to a face the topped ranked Lumberjacks.  It was a battle for three quarters, but Warren is, "Still the One" in 84A and still top ranked in class 4A.  There remains a ways to go and Warren has several top ranked and very good teams to play.  Friday night they stood up, took a heavy punch, and punched back. They walked away winners.

Going into the fourth quarter the game was 17-8 in Warren's favor. It ended 38-8.  The Jacks made plays when they had to and the defense came up big several times.
The Lumberjack defense converges on a Bobcat. (Robert Camp Photo)

Warren won the toss and chose to receive.  On the first play the ball was pitched to Treylon Burks and he pulled up and hit Cade Reep on a deep pass that got Warren into Dumas territory.  That drive ended with a twenty three yard field goal by Jesus Tinoco and Warren led 3-0.  Tinoco then kicked off into the end zone.  Dumas moved the ball, but J'malachi Kinnard intercepted a pass and Warren took over on their own fifteen.  The Warren offense gained some ground but had to punt.

In the second quarter, Dumas moved deep into Warren territory and was held on downs at the Warren seven.  The teams continued to battle, each moving the ball but unable to score.  The Lumberjacks secured good field position after a short Dumas punt and with 3:16 remaining in the half, Burks scored on a three yard run and Tinoco made the PAT and the Jacks took a 10-0 halftime lead.

The Lumberjacks kicked off to begin the second half and Tinoco put the ball in the end zone.  Despite some penalties, Dumas drove the ball and with 8;44 left in the third, scored on a 12-yard run.  They went for two and were successful, leaving the score 10-8 in Warren's favor.
The Jacks responded returning the kick off to their own 38 and they began to drive.  A great run by Keemontrae McKnight helped move Warren deep into Dumas territory.  During the big run by McKnight, he hurdled a Dumas player in a spectacular manner.  Both Stepps and McKnight ran hard and successful all night.  Stepps was the leading rusher on the evening.
#23 Vincent Stepps, #90 Marcus (Bubba) Miller , #88 Treylon Burks , J.J. Hampton, and #56 Michael Miranda tackle a Dumas runner.

At the 4;10 mark of the third quarter, Kinnard hit Burks with a a six yard touchdown pass.  The ball was perfectly thrown and Burks made the catch.  Tinoco was good on the PAT and Warren stretched the lead to 17-8.  The Warren defense then stopped Dumas and got the ball back.  After moving the ball, the Jacks were forced to punt and Burks promptly punted to the Dumas four yard line were it was downed.  Again the Warren defense stood tall and Dumas was forced to punt.  The ensuing punt was very short and the Jacks took over at the Dumas 23-yard line.  Burks, playing quarterback with 8:36 left in the game, passed six yards to Donovan Ross for a touchdown and Tinoco made the point after to extend the Warren lead to 24-8.

Tinoco kicked the ball deep on the next kickoff and Dumas fumbled.  Christian Calhoun scooped up the loose ball and raced in for a touchdown.  Tinoco pushed the score to 31-8 with another successful point after.

After another deep kickoff by Tinoco, Dumas moved the ball, but Keemontrae MnKnight made a great interception deep in Warren territory and the Jacks were back in business.  Late in the fourth quarter, Vincent Stepps ripped of a 40-yard touchdown run and Tenoco made the extra point to set the final score at 38-8.

The game was marred by a number of penalties, but it was hard fought and close till the fourth quarter.  While it was a game of ups and downs, Warren kept a team focus and made big plays.
Marcus Miller made several big stops, Kinnard made plays as did Burks, McKnight and Stepps, both on offense and defense.  Kinnard made several big hits form his safety position.  The offensive and defensive lines battled all night as did the Lumberjack linebackers and secondary.  The special teams play by Warren was superb, with Tinoco perfect on PATs, hitting a field goal and pinning Dumas deep on several occasions with outstanding kickoffs.  Coverage was well done as well.  The Lumberjacks did not punt often but were very effective when they did.

A number of Lumberjacks could have been MVP of the contest.  Salineriverchronicle.com chose Jesus Tinoco for his consistency on PATs, his early field goal and great kickoffs.

The Lumberjacks go back on the road Friday, October 12th, to DeWitt to face waht appears to be an improved Dragon team.  Warren will face DeWitt and Monticello on the road and finish with Hamburg and Helena at home.  The team appreciates the large crowds that have been on hand each week to support them.  Keep coming out and be loud and supportive and Warren reaches for championship goals.   


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