Warren Wins Big On The Road At Monticello

Warren's offensive line creates a throwing lane for Lumberjack Quarterback J'malachi Kinnard(#1) Friday night against Monticello.  Photo by Robert Camp

The Warren Lumberjacks traveled to Monticello Friday night, October 19th and did battle with the Monticello Billies.  A large Warren crowd was present to watch as the Lumberjacks received the opening kick off.  It took Warren only a few plays to strike as Warren's J'malachi Kinnard hit Keemontrae McKnight with a 28 yard touchdown strike to put the Jacks in front.  Jesus Tinoco was good on the PAT and Warren was up 7-0.  After Tinoco kicked off into the end zone the Lumberjack defense forced a punt and Warren took over on their own 24 yard line.  The Lumberjacks moved the ball quickly and capped the drive with a 11-yard touchdown run by Vincent Stepps.  Tinoco made the point after and Warren was ahead 14-0.  The kick off left Monticello at their own 13, as Warren's kick coverage was excellent.  The defense again forced a punt and the Jack offense went to work.  This drive ended with a 25-yard pass from Kinnard to Cade Reep.  Tinoco was perfect and the score was 21-0.  The ensuing kick off went into the end zone and Monticello took over.

Braden Curry(#9) and Keemontrae McKnight(#7)
leap in coverage defensively for the Lumberjacks.
Photo by Robert Camp.

In the second quarter Monticello mounted a drive and scored on a three yard run.  The extra point failed.  After the kick off Warren again drove the field and capped their drive with a 1-yard run by Stepps.  Tinoco was again successful and the Lumberjacks went up 28-6.  Once more Tinoco kicked off into the end zone.   Monticello moved the ball with the help of a Warren penalty but had to punt.  The Jacks took over with 1:24 left in the first half at their own 17.  Keemontrae McKnight then raced 83 yards for a touchdown.  It was a brilliant run and well blocked.  The point after was good by Tinoco and Warren led 35-6.  The kick off went out of bounds at the two so Monticello got the ball at the 35-yard line.  Warren got the ball back with little time left but threatened before the half ended.

The third quarter ended with Tinoco kicking the ball into the end zone.  The Jack defense stopped Monticello on downs and with 7:14 remaining in the quarter, Stepps ripped off a 15-yard touchdown run and the PAT by Tinoco upped the score to 42-6.  The kick off again was into the end zone and Monticello began their offensive series.  The Lumberjack defense stopped them on downs at the Monticello 33 as the Billies did not punt.  The Lumberjack offense entered and 9th grade running back Cedric Calbert ran for an 8-yard touchdown and the extra point was made by sophomore Andres Jacinto, and the score was 49-6.

With the clock running continually in the fourth quarter and a lot of second team players on the field, the game moved along quickly.  Monticello score on a 43-yard pass and missed the extra point, to make the final score 49-12.

Stepps ended the game with 20 carries for 178 yards and three touchdowns.  McKnight ran only three times but had 121 yards and a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass.  The Lumberjacks had 502-yards in total offense and while the defense bent some with a number of young players on the field, they made plays when necessary.  The kicking game was outstanding.

Keemontrae McKnight(#7) bolts through the Monticello defense on an 83-yard touchdown run off of a jet sweep. Photo by Robert Camp.

The Lumberjacks now face a very good, and undefeated in conference,  Hamburg team.  The game is at Jim Hurley, Jr. Stadium and is for the conference title.  Kick off is 7:00 P.M.  A large Warren crowd is needed and it needs to be loud and supportive.  This team is a championship team, even without the best player in Arkansas and in spite of some other injuries.

Students enjoy a Thursday night bonfire ahead
of the Friday game.

salineriverchronicle.com named Lumberjack Center Mark Hairston as player of the game due to the outstanding job he and the entire offensive line did.  It would be easy to name a number of other players, both on offense and defense.  Stepps and McKnight could be named each week as could J'malachi Kinnard, who has played steady and productive every game.  Braden Curry continues to play very well as does Donovan Ross, J.J. Hampton and Kade Weaver.  Marcus Miller has made big plays.  T. J. Phillips is coming on and helping greatly.  Cade Reep always produces as do Christan Calhoun, Davante Smith and Tre'Lon Marshall.  Chandler Crockett is contributing as is Jett Reep, Mastin Frazer and Kilay Davis.  Special note should be made for the offensive line, including Hairston, Avery Weaver, Dylan Higgins, Kade Weaver, Travon Duncan.  Hopefully Michael Miranda will be back soon to help on the offensive and defensive lines.  He has played well.  It would be big to have Caleb Watson back in the defensive secondary.  Every kid on this team is contributing.